States with the most recruits in the latest 2026 Rivals300 rankings

The latest Rivals300 recruiting rankings for the 2026 class are out and not much has changed when it comes to the most talent-rich (and population-dense) states as they’re once again well-represented across the board.

Texas continues to hold the narrow edge over Florida and now Georgia for producing the most Rivals300 talent, with Georgia hot on their heals. California stands alone in fourth place, with Ohio and Alabama tying for the fifth and final spot.

With the rankings release, Rivals is breaking down where the top 300 prospects in the country this cycle hail from near the mid-point of the high school football season:

Texas – 39

The Lone Star State has led the charge when it comes to football talent for decades and the latest update keeps Texas at the top. When it comes to prospects, Texas added to its lead from last time, going from two to now five more players than any other state in the country.

No state has anywhere near as many players within the top 100 of the Rivals300, with Texas having 17 prospects.

In the last cycle it was Texas Tech offensive tackle Felix Ojo leading the way, but its Oregon commit Jalen Lott this time jumping from previously at No. 75 and he rises 44 spots to No. 31. Right behind Lott is USC defensive lineman pledge Jaimeon Winfield and Oklahoma quarterback commit Bowe Bentley.

Florida & Georgia – 34

The neighbors of the Southeast in Florida and Georgia share the second spot in this latest cycle. Florida always gets a boost from Bradenton’s IMG Academy, which recruits players from around the country to play for the Ascenders.

Texas quarterback commit Dia Bell falls seven spots to No. 9 overall in today’s update and is the lone five-star in the state. Georgia four-star defensive line commit James Johnson comes in at No. 16, dropping six spots from the previous list.

The Peach State has effectively replaced California in the recruiting hierarchy and the latest update validates that as the boast 11 more players than the Golden State. In this cycle, there’s plenty of names from Georgia that have proven their value on the field throughout the 2025 high school football season already.

Four-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson (Texas commitment) is supplanted as the top-ranked prospect in Georgia by Alabama defensive end commit Jamarion Matthews. Alabama linebacker commit Xavier Griffin falls just one spot from No. 51 to 52.

California – 23

Not much changes for California from the last cycle as they remain all alone in the fourth spot and near the top of the list due to its sheer population numbers. The Golden State’s highest ranked prospect this time around is Texas five-star commit Richard Wesley of Sierra Canyon.

Washington offensive tackle commit Kodie Greene and Ohio State defensive lineman commit Khary Wilder are the two other players that join Wesley inside of the top 20.

Ten of the top 100 prospects in the Rivals300 are from California.

Alabama & Ohio – 15

Another spot here within the top five that’s being shared is here between the Yellowhammer and Buckeye states with 15 prospects within the Rivals300. 

Five-star Ohio State offensive tackle commit Sam Greer continues to headline the Buckeye State standouts in the Rivals300, coming in at No. 17. Kentucky commit quarterback Matt Ponatoski (Kentucky) falls out of the top-100 prospects in the rankings to No. 110.

Looking at the state of Alabama, leading the way is Oregon five-star commit Anthony Jones at No. 20. Among the other prospects inside of the top-100 is Alabama pledges Ezavier Crowell, Cederian Morgan and South Carolina commit Landon Duckworth.

Other states with recruits in the Rivals300

14 – North Carolina

12 – Mississippi

11 – Louisiana

9 – Illinois

8 – Pennsylvania, Tennessee

7 – Virginia, Utah

6 – Arizona, Michigan

5 – Iowa, Maryland, South Carolina

4 – Missouri, New Jersey

3 – Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota

2 – Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Washington D.C.

1 – Delaware, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington

For high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.