Eagles Star Nolan Smith Names Texas as the Unrivaled Powerhouse of High School Football
In an era where high school football talent is scattered across the nation, Philadelphia Eagles standout linebacker Nolan Smith has made a bold and expected declaration: Texas remains, unequivocally, the top state for high school football.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview with ESPN’s “Football Nation,” Smith—a product of powerhouse DeSoto High School in Texas—did not mince words. “You want to talk about where the best competition is? Where the biggest crowds are? Texas is it. Hands down,” Smith asserted, his Texas roots shining through every word.
Smith’s endorsement comes after his own meteoric rise from the Texas high school ranks to collegiate stardom at the University of Oregon and now a pivotal role on the Eagles’ defense. Reflecting on the formative years that shaped him, he emphasized how Texas football culture creates an unparalleled pressure cooker that breeds elite athletes.
“In Texas, football isn’t just a sport—it’s a religion,” Smith explained. “Friday nights are sacred. The stadiums pack 10,000, 15,000 people or more. Every kid on that field is fighting to prove they belong, because the competition is fierce from the moment you step into pads. That kind of environment pushes you to the next level.”
He contrasted Texas’s high school scene with other states known for football talent, including Florida, California, and Georgia. “They all produce great players, no doubt. But Texas? The depth, the tradition, the fanbase—it’s on another level,” Smith said. “You have historic programs like Katy, Allen, and Odessa Permian where championships and NFL futures are made.”
Statistically, Smith’s claim is well-founded. Texas consistently leads the nation in producing Division I recruits, NFL draft picks, and state championship attendance records. In the last decade alone, more than 300 Texans have been selected in the NFL Draft—more than any other state.
Smith also highlighted the infrastructure supporting Texas high school football’s dominance: massive stadiums, year-round training facilities, elite coaching staffs, and deep community investment. “The whole state rallies behind these teams. It’s about pride, legacy, and sometimes even a path out of tough circumstances.”
His remarks have sparked passionate debate among fans and analysts nationwide. While states like Georgia have surged in recent years with dynamic recruiting pipelines and innovative coaching, Smith’s perspective reminds the football world that Texas’s deep-rooted tradition remains a gold standard.
“It’s the competition, the passion, the sheer volume of talent,” Smith concluded. “Texas isn’t just the top state because of numbers—it’s because football lives and breathes here every single day.”
As Nolan Smith continues to anchor the Eagles’ defense and inspire the next generation, his voice carries the weight of experience—and the unmistakable pride of a Texan who knows where the heart of high school football beats strongest.
