College Football's Homegrown Talent in 2026

A recent analysis of college football rosters for 2026 indicates that homegrown talent remains crucial, especially for programs in states rich in athletic prospects. Despite the prevalence of the transfer portal, teams that focus on recruiting local players often gain a competitive edge.

The study shows that, on average, 32.2% of players on FBS rosters are homegrown, defined as those whose hometowns are in the same state as their school. Texas Tech leads with 64.8% of its roster comprised of local talent, followed by TCU at 72.6%, which reflects its strong connections within the DFW Metroplex.

Georgia stands out as the SEC's top program for homegrown players, with 85.3% of its roster coming directly from high school, emphasizing a preference for local recruiting over transfers. In contrast, teams like Oregon and Notre Dame have lower percentages of in-state players, indicating different recruiting strategies. The Big Ten averages the lowest at 30.3%, largely due to its expansive geographic footprint requiring national recruitment.