Justin Rogers in USA Today Story on Texas Football

[MrMustang1965]

from USA Today:

No shocker to Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips: Texas has been tabbed as the nation's best football state.

USA Football on Tuesday presented its Gov.'s Cup Award recognizing Texas as the country's "Best Football State." The award is based on criteria ranging from high school participation to TV ratings.

"I think those of us from Texas and in Texas knew that this award might be coming this way some time," said Phillips, who accepted the trophy on behalf of all Texas football. "We do feel like we are the best football state."

Texas earned the award based on a study conducted by The Wharton Sports Business Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania. The rest of the top five states, in order, were Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey and Maryland.

USA Football executive director Scott Hallenbeck, whose nonprofit organization is geared toward developing the sport, said the award "recognizes everything that's great about football."

The study looked at the percentage of boys playing high school football, the percentage of high school seniors receiving NCAA scholarships and birth states of 2007 NFL draftees and NFL coaches. Nielsen television ratings for NFL games were also considered.

Accompanying Phillips were three of his players who, before joining the Cowboys, had played high school and college football in Texas. They were safety Keith Davis (Italy and Sam Houston State); offensive guard Leonard Davis (Wortham and Texas); and rookie linebacker Justin Rogers (Greenville and SMU).

"These are three great examples of Texas football and the kind of people we have playing football in Texas," Phillips said.

[Roach]

Nice to see Big 40 getting some ink. One of my all-time favorite Mustangs.

[Junior]

Good to see Justin getting some ink.