The NFL by Position
NFL PLAYERS PER CAPITA BY POSITION, SINCE 1970
Where The QBs Come From
Linebackers, linemen and running backs might have their roots predominantly in the Deep South, but quarterbacks are a more geographically diverse group. Though it ranks fourth in total signal-callers produced (24) since 1970, Louisiana has sent more passers per capita to the NFL than any other state over that span. The Sportsman's Paradise (birthplace of Terry Bradshaw, left, Jake Delhomme, Peyton Manning and Doug Williams) edges out Pennsylvania (which has delivered Joe Montana, Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas) and four lightly populated states--Iowa, Montana, North Dakota and Idaho. The union's most populous state, California, ranks first in total quarterbacks (88) but is 10th per capita. Had Washington, D.C., which has produced Byron Leftwich, Anthony Dilweg and Mike Kruczek, been included, the District would have been ahead of Louisiana on the per capita list.
• For a complete list of state rankings by position, go to si.com.
SOURCE: ELIAS SPORTS BUREAU
KEY The states are sized in proportion to the number of players per capita since 1970, and the colors relate to the total number of players. Even though California has been the birthplace to the most QBs, Louisiana is shown as the largest state because it has the most per capita.
NFL PLAYERS PER CAPITA BY POSITION, SINCE 1970
Linebackers
The Gulf Coast is king, topped by Louisiana--which has exported Pro Bowlers A.J. Duhe (left), Isiah Robertson and 64 others--then Alabama (Robert Brazile and Cornelius Bennett) and Mississippi (Johnie Cooks). While there are 180 California-born linebackers (placing that state 24th per capita), the next linebacker born in Alaska or New Hampshire will be the first in those states.
Linemen
Hall of Fame tackle Jackie Slater (left) and defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood hail from Mississippi, the top state for players in the trenches, just ahead of Louisiana and Alabama. This is the best category for the corn-fed boys of the Midwest; Iowa and Nebraska rank third (tied with Alabama) and seventh per capita, respectively. The sleeper state in this category: Hawaii has produced 25 linemen, placing the Aloha State fifth per capita.
Running Backs
The top eight states in runners per capita--from No. 1 Mississippi (birthplace of Walter Payton, left, Wilbert Montgomery and Marcus Dupree) to No. 8 North Carolina--are located below the Mason-Dixon line. Nebraska (ninth) and Ohio (12th) are the highest-ranking non-Southern states. The sleeper: Kansas is 31st per capita but boasts the greatest proportion of Hall of Fame backs (Gale Sayers, John Riggins and Barry Sanders).
COLOR PHOTO
SIMON BRUTY (BLEDSOE)
  DREW BLEDSOE WASHINGTON
COLOR PHOTO
PETER READ MILLER (MONTANA)
  JOE MONTANA PENNSYLVANIA
COLOR PHOTO
HEINZ KLUETMEIER (BRADSHAW)
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JOHN BIEVER (WILLIAMS)
  DOUG WILLIAMS LOUISIANA
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HEINZ KLUETMEIER (DELHOMME)
  JAKE DELHOMME LOUISIANA
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RONALD C. MODRA (FOUTS)
  DAN FOUTS CALIFORNIA
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GEORGE TIEDEMANN/GT IMAGES (DUHE)
COLOR PHOTO
PETER BROUILLET/WIREIMAGE.COM (SLATER)
COLOR PHOTO
JOHN SWART/AP (PAYTON)
FOUR COLOR MAPS
International Mapping