Numbers look bleak for Arkansas high school football's reputation

Weird that most of the better football players in recent times have come from south arkansas considering it’s the lowest population area of the state, and least recruited. I guess warren plays a big part in that though.

We will finally compete in football when NWA has tripled in size in 20 years. I just don't see us competing until it happens. We lose just as many south Arkansas guys as we get these days to other SEC teams

I thought the issue was less the population, and more that the good football players aren't getting to play football. Isn't that what's up with central AR, at least? And NWA is already substantially bigger than it was 15 years ago when Bobby Petrino was here. That hasn't seemed to make a difference.

We're dead last in 4*+ talent produced in an SEC state, and it's like that every year. We also have the rare distinction of not having to share our recruiting pool with another in-state G5 program, and there being no pro football team to compete with. I don't think population is the whole answer, otherwise Mississippi wouldn't be outperforming us in amount of blue chip talent produced.

Towns like Helena, Marianna, Forrest City, Barton, Clarendon, Pine Bluff, Blytheville, Osceola, Camden, El Dorado, Malvern, Magnolia, Nashville, Brinkley, Stuttgart, Texarkana, Smackover and West Memphis used to produce a decent amount of good football players.

But these towns have dried up due to population loss. That is just one of many reasons why Arkansas high school football continues on being in decline.

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I wonder what it could be…

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Bingo

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I wonder what it could be…

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while I agree there is some truth to this, it doesn’t explain why states like Kansas, Iowa, and north fricking Dakota are producing more football players than we are. And I don’t think it’s lack of interest in the communities either considering football popularity across the nation is at an all time high. My theory is the AAA not having rules in place like some of our border states that say you can’t Practice certain sports until a set day. For instance Texas and Louisiana both aren’t allowed to practice baseball on the diamond until some time in January. Basketball is similarly not allowed to be in the gym until a certain point in the fall. This encourages kids to play multiple sports unless they just want to be in the weight room a whole bunch. Because right now what we have in Arkansas is a bunch of kids that play AAU basketball or travel baseball year round and although they like football, it’s just something they do to pass the time in the fall during the week before their weekend tournaments. I think the razorbacks are also partly to blame considering you not only have an entire generation of kids who’ve grown up with them being arse, but an entire generation or parents too.

Arkansas has more football talent than Iowa, North Dakota and Kansas. They would be ranked above other states if maximized to full potential.

Those states get the most of what they have while Arkansas just loafs around.

If Arkansas schools don't start investing in better facilities, coaching upgrades and get serious about football, nothing will change.

And no, it has nothing to do with Razorback football sucking for the last 12+ years.

Much of the NWA "talent" are kids of privilege who have had tons of sports-specific training, travel ball, and coaching clinics for their entire lives. They're good because their parents have invested in them being good, whether they have a ton of natural athleticism or not.

Those same kids also don't really need or want to play football in college. They'd rather go to the UofA and not play football (and pledge and party) than go to UCA or a smaller school that might prolong and continue their athletic career.

We are talking about states that produce the most football talent. Kansas having two FBS programs is entirely irrelevant.

21 NFL players were born in Iowa. Arkansas only has 8. Not comparable