Arizona high school football's rise proven by 8 players taken in 2024 NFL Draft

Eight players who gained high school football fame in Arizona were chosen in this year's NFL draft. That is believed to be a record number for this state in one year.

It's a reflection of how much high football has grown in Arizona over the years.

Just look at how many college football coaches are coming through this spring to check out current Arizona high school football players. Many schools are counting 50 to 100 colleges during their three-week spring workouts coming by to check out talent for future players.

"The reason so many college football recruiters have been flocking to Arizona the past decade is that we have good players with excellent coaching," Chandler coach Rick Garretson said. "Our Arizona kids are given a foundation that develops football IQ, technique, strength and speed. This allows those to succeed in college and potentially land in the NFL."

The eight players from Arizona high schools rank as the 11th most in America, according to High School Football America, which lists Florida with the most with 30. Texas was second with 24, followed by Georgia (23), California (18), Louisiana (11) and New Jersey (11). Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Ohio were tied with 10 apiece. Then came Arizona, which produced more than Illinois (seven), Michigan (seven), Pennsylvania (six) and Indiana (six).

There have been past years when players from Arizona went higher than the two this year went in the first round — former Marana offensive lineman Jordan Morgan with the 25th pick by the Green Bay Packers and former Tempe Corona del Sol wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at 31 by the San Francisco 49ers.

Last year, former Tucson Salpointe running back Bijan Robinson was the eighth overall selection, taken by the Atlanta Falcons.

In 1968, linebacker Fred Carr of Phoenix Union fame was taken fifth in the draft by the Green Bay Packers.

Former Chandler edge rusher Dion Jordan was the third overall pick of the 2013 NFL draft, chosen by the Miami Dolphins. Three former Chandler High players were taken in that same draft.

This year's draft also included Maricopa wide receiver Jacob Cowing (49ers, fourth round), Pinnacle quarterback Spencer Rattler (Saints, fifth round), Sandra Day O'Connor edge rusher Bralen Trice (third round, Falcons), Peoria Centennial safety Dominique Hampton (Commanders, fifth round), Hamilton running back Jawhar Jordan (Texans, sixth round) and Hamilton wide receiver Brenden Rice (Chargers, seventh round).

"I think there's been a concerted effort to help football grow here and create opportunities for kids that weren't here five to 10 years ago," said Mesa Mountain View coach Andy Litten, who was the offensive coordinator at Hamilton during Rice's last two years and coached Morgan at Marana. "Spring showcases, Open championships, media coverage, and population growth all have really helped bring tons of talent in the Valley."

Coaching has improved and more coaches are aware of how important player development is during the high school years.

Personal coaches have increased, as well. There used to be a couple of personal QB coaches in the Valley. Now there are many more. Not only that, but there are strength and conditioning and speed coaches that parents hire for their kids. There are kicking coaches, long snapping coaches, defensive backs coaches, wide receivers coaches, line coaches. It's across the board how many resources there are to help kids with their football development at a young age.

"High school has become a business in Arizona, and because of that, the product has gotten better," Litten said. "Brenden Rice had an incredible staff at Hamilton, and also personal training with professional athletes. This isn't uncommon throughout the Valley. And when you match that with talent and size, it blossoms.

"It also helps that kids can be active year-round here and that multiple sports are pushed across the board."

Garretson said that Arizona high school football can be measured by the out-of-state competition, competing well and sometimes beating the best in the country outside of Arizona.

"Ten years ago, only one or two schools would travel to play out-of-state games," Garretson said. "Now, multiple schools travel out of state, looking to challenge themselves and showcase our Arizona teams."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona high school football's rise proven by 2024 NFL Draft