RecruitingNation has been ranking the top 10 battles for elite college football recruits for the past few months, but now it's time to switch things up a bit. Instead of pitting the top athletes against each other, this week we rank the top 10 states that have historically housed the most and most sought-after prospects to discover which is the best and which states will be the future hotbeds for elite talent.
Here is this week's panel of writers: Max Olson (@max_olson), Brad Bournival (@bbournival), Gary Laney (@glaneyESPN), Kipp Adams (@KippLAdams), Dave Hooker (@DaveHookerESPN), Erik McKinney (@EMcKinneyESPN), Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) and Greg Ostendorf (@GregO_ESPN).
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Use the hashtag #BlueChipBattles to comment on the list, make a prediction or indicate if you disagree with anything we say. Your tweet could end up on that week's page.
What's your top 10?
Check out our list and then take your shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles.
North Carolina & South Carolina
N.C. ESPN 150 recruits: 4 ESPN 300: 10 | S.C. ESPN 150: 2 recruits ESPN 300: 4
2013 Blue Chip Prospects: Ben Boulware (No. 78, Clemson), Greg Gilmore (No. 83, LSU) and recent grad Tramel Terry (No. 89, Georgia).
Back in the day: The Carolinas have produced some of the top players in the country over the past few years, including All-Americans Jadeveon Clowney (pictured), Da'Quan Bowers and A.J. Green. Record-setting wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and freshman standout running back Todd Gurley also hail from the Carolinas.
Looking forward: There are 20 prospects on the ESPN 2014 Watch List from the Carolinas, 10 from each state, including quarterback Will Grier and wideout Trevion Thompson from North Carolina, and offensive lineman Donnell Stanley and outside linebacker Christian Miller representing South Carolina.
Top prospect's take: "North Carolina is an underdog state in my opinion and some of the best talent comes out of the Carolinas," -- @The_GilmoreEra, ESPN 150 DT Greg Gilmore.
"The state of South Carolina has the best high school football in the country because we live to be ballers down there!" -- @TeamTDterry_GC, ESPN 150 Ath Tramel Terry.
RecruitingNation ranks the Carolinas as the No. 10 state at producing battle-worthy prospects since 2006. Tweet us your opinion using the hashtag #BlueChipBattles @RecruitingESPN.