Ashton Jeanty compares high school football in Texas and California

Ashton Jeanty, last year’s Doak Walker Award winner, will be starting his NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders. But until he plays his first professional game, he reminisced about high school football when he appeared on the St. Brown Podcast.

Equanimeous St. Brown, an NFL wide receiver who played high school football at Servite (CA.), asked Jeanty which has better high school football: Texas or California. Jeanty shared, “It depends on the position. I feel like trenches, O-Line, D-Line, I feel like Texas got that. But skill players, overall, California might have a little bit more skill players and quarterbacks.”

"Trenches, O-line and D-line, I feel like Texas got that for sure. But skill players, (California) might have a little more skill players and quarterbacks."

Ashton Jeanty and the St. Brown brothers debate whether Texas or California has better high school football 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/imsBi6ovcW

— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) June 6, 2025

While Ashton Jeanty stated an opinion, a look at the On3 National Composite Team Rankings by the end of the 2024 season should give a clearer picture. Of the top ten teams on the list, two are from California and two are from Texas.

Mater Dei, the alma mater of Equanimeous’ brother and co-host, All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, holds the top spot while St. John Bosco ranks fifth. Meanwhile, second-ranked North Crowley and sixth-ranked Duncanville represent Texas high school football.

Stretching the count to the top 25 schools, California adds three more teams: No. 16 De La Salle, No. 20 Centennial, and No. 23 Orange Lutheran. Conversely, Texas has one other team in the top 25 (No. 12 North Shore). Likewise, Florida has as many entries in the top 25 as Texas, with four (No. 13 Chaminade-Madonna Prep, No. 14 Venice, No. 18 American Heritage, and No. 22 IMG Academy)

In terms of football strategy, Ashton Jeanty added, “I would say from a scheme standpoint, y’all’s is definitely better. In Texas, it’s more like, run that football.” The former Boise State standout has a point, consider great running backs like Earl Campbell, Adrian Peterson, Eric Dickerson, Thurman Thomas, and LaDainian Tomlinson came from the Lone Star State.