Greatest college football player born in each state
Despite being one of the fastest growing major metropolitan areas in the United States, Las Vegas was long overlooked by college football programs aiming to recruit top-flight talent. However, the area, and Nevada as a whole, has become more of a recruiting hot spot since Steven Jackson signed with Oregon State in 2001 and gained national attention as one of the best running backs of the early 2000s.
After contributing 435 yards of total offense and six touchdowns, plus a kick return TD, as a freshman, Jackson took over as the primary ball carrier for the Beavers as a sophomore and gained 1,690 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 319 carries (5.3 yards per attempt). A terrific receiver out of the backfield, Jackson also gained 165 receiving yards and scored on two TD catches.
The ultra-durable Jackson was even better as a junior and led the nation with 350 carries, 394 touches and 22 total touchdowns. Jackson gained 1,545 yards and scored 19 touchdowns on the ground and added 44 receptions for 470 yards and had three TD grabs. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Jackson set an Oregon State single-season record with 2,015 yards of total offense before declaring for the NFL Draft. He was selected No. 24 overall by the St. Louis Rams and spent 11 seasons in the NFL.
Other Notable College Football Players Born in Nevada:
- Chris Carr, DB, Boise State
- Harvey Dahl, OL, Nevada
- Andre Dyson, DB, Utah
- Tony Graziani, QB, Oregon
- Frank Hawkins, RB, Nevada
- Brian Kelly, DB, USC
- Eric Sanders, OL, Nevada
Next: New Hampshire