Friday State Rankings

The Scout.com Pre-season State Rankings for the Class of 2008 will be released through next Friday. Today, Pennsylvania, Kansas and New Mexico are unveiled. Headlining these states is the spectacular Terrelle Pryor and Arthur Brown, the nation’s top two prospects.

State Rankings Map

There is one player that not only dominates the Keystone State but also is the top prospect at the quarterback position. Terrelle Pryor, who also happens to be one of the nation’s top hoop prospects, is a special talent that doesn’t come around all that often. “Pennsylvania has fielded a lot of great players through the years,” said Bob Lichtenfels, East/Midwest Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “The bulk of the talent often comes from the WPIAL. Back in the class of 1998 North Hills had perhaps the greatest football player the WPIAL has produced since the 1970's when a small running back by the name of Tony Dorsett came out of Hopewell. That player back in the class of 1998 ended up becoming a legend at Penn State and his name is Lavar Arrington.

“Almost ten years later, Terrelle Pryor (Jeanette, Pa.) has invoked memories of dominating performances like the ones that have been seen by players like Dorsett and Arrington. Pryor and Arrington are very similar types of players, especially on defense. But as good as he’s on defense, it won't matter, as Pryor wants to play quarterback at the next level. This year, he’s clearly the cream of a talented crop in the "Keystone State".”

Arthur Brown
Kansas happens to be the home of Scout.com’s top prospect in linebacker Arthur Brown (Wihcita, Ks.). But he isn’t the only bluechipper in Kansas among this class, as the state is deeper than usual. “Kansas is much deeper this year than in years past,” said Greg Powers, Midlands Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “Everyone knows that linebacker Arthur Brown (Wichita, Ks.) is rated as he top player in the country, but the talent pool runs much deeper. There are at least a solid 15 that will be lining up on a division one football field. Tanner Hawkinson (McPherson, Ks.), Chris Harper (Wichtia, Ks.), Kale Pick (Dodge City, Ks.) and Kyler Reed (Overland Park, Ks.) will all be difference makers on the next level.

Landry Jones
It’s not every year that the state of New Mexico has one of the country’s top players. This season they do in a quarterback that is headed to Oklahoma named Landry Jones. “Jones is a man amongst boys,” said Jason Jewell, Southwest Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “He accounted for 54 TDs last year and he has all of the tools to be a successful quarterback at the next level. He is big, can make all of the throws, reads his progressions, is accurate, has touch and can even run if need be. Jones is the best prospect to come out of New Mexico in years, even ahead of players like Alan Branch and Aaron Lewis who were national level recruits.”

Coming on Monday will be the preseason state rankings of Georgia, Ohio, Nebraska and New York.

State Rankings Map