Mapping out the Top 50 Early Contenders

By Mitch Stephens Jun 3, 2016, 4:00pm

South Florida, Dallas-Fort Worth and Southern California boasts the majority of top teams.

Graphic by Ryan Escobar

The map of the 2016 MaxPreps Early Contenders definitely sways southward.

Only 12 of the top 50 football teams selected are in the upper half of the United States and 28 of those are located East of the Mississippi River.

The 2016 MaxPreps Early Contenders package was released Wednesday.

The states that dominate are traditional with Texas and Florida each boasting nine teams along with California claiming five.

South Florida (seven), Dallas Forth-Worth Metroplex (five) and Southern California (four) are the most densely populated with top 50 squads.