NFL-caliber talent can be found anywhere in the United States, but there are, of course, higher-concentration areas.

As you'd probably expect, most of the states with the largest number of active players are also among the largest populated. California, Texas and Florida rank first, second and third, respectively, in the real-life category and are battling for the No. 1 spot in the NFL.

However, there's a fourth state with 200 active players. If you follow recruiting in college football, it won't surprise you.

The order reflects Pro Football Reference data as of this writing.

10. Pennsylvania

Active Players: 78

Pro Bowlers: 10

Top Active Player by Weighted Career Approximate Value (wAV): Cameron Heyward, 98

It certainly doesn't hurt Pennsylvania to have the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles for kids to emulate.

All-Pro defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is particularly beloved, a Pittsburgh-born star who's spent his whole career with the Steelers. Other standout defenders from the Commonwealth are edge-rusher Micah Parsons and former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.

The state has produced a handful of notable wideouts, from Chris Godwin, D.J. Moore and Tyler Boyd to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rashee Rice. Running backs James Conner and D'Andre Swift hail from PA, too.

T-8. Alabama

Active Players: 85

Pro Bowlers: 7

Top Active Player by wAV: Julio Jones, 101 (he's a free agent at 35 but hasn't retired)

This may surprise you, but Alabama has benefited from the state's flagship university being an absolute powerhouse in college football.

Within the active group, many marquee names—defensive linemen Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Quinnen Williams, linebacker C.J. Mosley and cornerback Marlon Humphrey—played for legendary coach Nick Saban at Bama.

Other well-known players from the state include quarterback Jameis Winston, wide receivers Nico Collins and George Pickens and edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith.

T-8. Illinois

Active Players: 85

Pro Bowlers: 5

Top Active Player by wAV: Kirk Cousins, 94

Fueled by schools in the greater Chicago area, Illinois has become a valuable source of next-level talent.

Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and left tackle Terron Armstead boast the most accolades within the active list. Others with at least a half-decade of experience are tight end Cole Kmet, guard Graham Glasgow, linebacker T.J. Edwards and corner Adoree' Jackson.

The latest wave from Illinois features quarterback J.J. McCarthy, tight end Sam LaPorta and receivers Garrett Wilson, Jayden Reed and Alec Pierce, along with offensive lineman Peter Skoronski and edge-rusher Lukas Van Ness.

7. North Carolina

Active Players: 100

Pro Bowlers: 6

Top Active Player by wAV: Keenan Allen, 74

The first state to hit triple digits, North Carolina is apparently a master at building up defensive linemen. Dexter Lawrence, Alim McNeil, Javon Hargrave, D.J. Reader and Jarran Reed are just a sampling.

Meanwhile, the most accomplished product is wideout Keenan Allen. He's surpassed 10,000 receiving yards in his career.

Other notables are quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Drake Maye, guard Landon Dickerson and cornerback Jaire Alexander.

6. Louisiana

Active Players: 101

Pro Bowlers: 10

Top Active Player by wAV: Dak Prescott, 91

Louisiana has the smallest population of any state listed. Similar to Alabama, though, a strong college program has helped immensely.

Wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Malik Nabers and Odell Beckham Jr. all went to LSU, as did linebacker Patrick Queen, corners Derek Stingley Jr. and Tre'Davious White, and safety Tyrann Mathieu.

Dallas Cowboys teammates Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, running back Travis Etienne, wide receiver DeVonta Smith and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons highlight the rest.

5. Ohio

Active Players: 106

Pro Bowlers: 11

Top Active Player by wAV: Russell Wilson, 136

Oddly enough, the most decorated NFL players mostly did not attend college powerhouse Ohio State. Among the Pro Bowlers, only cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Marshon Lattimore played for OSU.

But the state, clearly, isn't lacking for talent.

The headliner is All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, a future Hall of Famer. Other standouts are running back David Montgomery, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, offensive linemen Ryan Kelly, Taylor Decker and Joe Thuney and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. ahead of well-known players Russell Wilson and Mitch Trubisky.

4. Georgia

Active Players: 200

Pro Bowlers: 19

Top Active Player by wAV: Tyreek Hill, 91

We've reached the portion of the program where it's inevitable that a standout talent may be omitted. Led by Tyreek Hill, Georgia is one of four states with at least 200 active players in the NFL.

First, some veterans: quarterback Deshaun Watson, running backs Alvin Kamara, Nick Chubb and Aaron Jones, offensive tackles Trent Brown and Orlando Brown Jr., defensive linemen Grady Jarrett, Bradley Chubb and Preston Smith, linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Darius Slay, safety Xavier McKinney and even specialists Harrison Butker, Wil Lutz, Sam Martin and AJ Cole III.

The young star is running back Jahmyr Gibbs, while quarterback Justin Fields, receivers Josh Downs, Rashod Bateman and Ladd McConkey and edge-rusher YaYa Diaby are either familiar or tracking that way.

3. Florida

Active Players: 238

Pro Bowlers: 27

Top Active Player by wAV: Matthew Stafford, 121

Long known as a recruiting hotbed for college teams, Florida has watched that premier talent rise to the NFL.

You can start with QBs Lamar Jackson and Geno Smith, running back Derrick Henry, wide receiver Amari Cooper, edge-rushers Nick Bosa, Khalil Mack, Brian Burns and Joey Bosa, linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Patrick Surtain II and safety Derwin James.

There's still quarterback Anthony Richardson, running backs James Cook and Raheem Mostert, wideouts Zay Flowers, Diontae Johnson and Tank Dell, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson, cornerback Tyson Campbell and so many more.

Matthew Stafford is known for being teammates with star MLB pitcher Clayton Kershaw in Texas, but Stafford was born in Florida.

2. Texas

Active Players: 251

Pro Bowlers: 31

Top Active Player by wAV: Von Miller, 104

Texas has everything...except a notable tight end.

At quarterback, there's Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Andy Dalton. Running backs De'Von Achane and J.K. Dobbins are from Texas, as are receivers Mike Evans, Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. Up front, you have Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, Jake Matthews and Rashawn Slater, among other blockers.

Defensively, recognizable names are edge-rushers Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Marcus Davenport and Von Miller, tackle Ed Oliver, cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Quandre Diggs and safety Jamal Adams.

Kickers? Justin Tucker, Chris Boswell and Dustin Hopkins. Punters? Thomas Morstead and Jack Fox.

1. California

Active Players: 259

Pro Bowlers: 30

Top Active Player by wAV: Aaron Rodgers, 163

It's only sensible for California—with the largest population in the United States and three NFL teams—to lead the rankings.

One-quarter of the league's starting quarterbacks (when healthy) are from the state: Josh Allen, CJ Stroud, Jared Goff, Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Jayden Daniels, Derek Carr and Sam Darnold.

Beyond the signal-callers, California features running backs Najee Harris and Joe Mixon, receivers Davante Adams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Michael Pittman Jr., Chris Olave and Drake London with tight end Zach Ertz and linemen Tyron Smith, Kolton Miller and Joel Bitonio. Veteran wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods merit a mention, too.

The defensive group includes edge-rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Jaelan Phillips, tackles Leonard Williams, Kenny Clark and Vita Vea, linebackers Fred Warner and Eric Kendricks, cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson, DaRon Bland and Trent McDuffie.

Specialists are Nick Folk, Jason Myers, Jason Sanders, Ryan Stonehouse, Bryan Anger and Corey Bojorquez.