Navigation

Miami Produces More NFL Players Than Any Other U.S. City

Three of the top five high schools with the most NFL players are located in South Florida.
Image: Amari Cooper wearing a white Cleveland Browns Jersey
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper was once a star at Miami Northwestern. Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

Help us weather the uncertain future

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

We need to raise $6,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Miami. Thanks for reading Miami New Times.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal
$6,000
$3,600
Share this:
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

Miami-area high schools produced the most players on NFL Week 1 rosters.

The Magic City led the way with 17 athletes, while Las Vegas and Bradenton followed with 16 and 15 players, respectively. IMG Academy in Bradenton produces the most players on opening weekend rosters out of all high schools across the country.

Up in Broward County, Plantation ranks ninth on the list with 12 players. Plantation is home to football powerhouse American Heritage, whose former players include Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns, and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell, among others.

"I think the mentality and competitiveness of the city of Miami is the reason for the success in football," Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David said in a press release. "Everybody from Miami, we know how much talent is there, so you have to bring your individual talent level up. I started playing football when I was five or six years old."

South Florida has become a hotbed of NFL talent over the years. Notable players hail from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Miami Northwestern Senior High School, and Miami Central Senior High School.

Although Florida is home to two of the three top NFL player-producing cities, Texas produced the most players of any state with 190. Florida comes in second with 168 players.