[Farm93]

When I was talking about the dearth of players in state schools having 1200+ SAT's I was talking about the teams traditionally finishing in the top 25; teams like Florida State, Florida, Ohio State, Oregon and the like. If you want to expand that to all state schools, sure, you'll find a fair number.
One thing I can definitely tell you is that athletics were a factor my college selection, since I played football at Stanford with a scholarship.

That's fine you were talking about top 25 teams, but I mentioned right at the top that I was referring to all D1, and then highlighted the non-Power 5 program perspective.  FWIW, D1 is more than just 25 football programs.  Though that perspective partially explains our disconnect.


Love of the game is a big factor. More than you likely appreciate watching the 22 starters at top 25 programs on TV.


I think you would be shocked to learn that quite a number of players at top FBS programs have players on the roster that could have gone to much better schools.  There are some HS scholar athletes that would prefer to be scout team or 3 deep players at Illinois, Nebraska or tOSU than attend Rose-Hulman.  Or would prefer to be a practice squad athlete at "State" than go to a better school out of state.  It happens, even in FBS top 25 programs.  You just have to look beyond the 22 starters, and in some cases beyond the 85 scholarship athletes.  They are there though, even on top 25 programs.

[Farm93]

When I was talking about the dearth of players in state schools having 1200+ SAT's I was talking about the teams traditionally finishing in the top 25; teams like Florida State, Florida, Ohio State, Oregon and the like. If you want to expand that to all state schools, sure, you'll find a fair number.
One thing I can definitely tell you is that athletics were a factor my college selection, since I played football at Stanford with a scholarship.

That's fine you were talking about top 25 teams, but I mentioned right at the top that I was referring to all D1, and then highlighted the non-Power 5 program perspective.  FWIW, D1 is more than just 25 football programs.  Though that perspective partially explains our disconnect.


Love of the game is a big factor. More than you likely appreciate watching the 22 starters at top 25 programs on TV.


I think you would be shocked to learn that quite a number of players at top FBS programs have players on the roster that could have gone to much better schools.  There are some HS scholar athletes that would prefer to be scout team or 3 deep players at Illinois, Nebraska or tOSU than attend Rose-Hulman.  Or would prefer to be a practice squad athlete at "State" than go to a better school out of state.  It happens, even in FBS top 25 programs.  You just have to look beyond the 22 starters, and in some cases beyond the 85 scholarship athletes.  They are there though, even on top 25 programs.