Colin Cowherd considers how California culture impacts production of linemen

Recently, Greg McElroy, host of ESPN’s Always College Football, brought Colin Cowherd onto his show to discuss and myriad of topics across the college football landscape. The two discussed the recent changes with conference realignment happening across the country, as well as Cowherd’s affinity for the Pac-12 conference.

One aspect of the former Pac-12 schools’ move received an intriguing answer from the Fox Sports analyst. As the two discussed the level of defensive line talent coming out of various regions, the need to beef up the front line might be more difficult than packing on pounds. Perhaps it goes back to eating habits learned early in grade school.

“No. I see it in the SEC. The state of Louisiana probably has six million people that live in it, and they have eight good D1 D-line prospects a year, 8 to 12. California’s got 38 million people. We have three,” said Cowherd. “I mean, some of it, Greg, as I’ve said, is diet. The West Coast it’s just health and wellness. You know, you grew up in California; health and wellness out in California.”

Now, to some SEC fans, Cowherd’s words might seem like a slight, directed at how the Southeastern states value food. It is, in fact, the opposite. As he continues, he shares a hilarious take from one of his friends while highlighting how California and the West Coast are the odd ones out producing big bodies.

“I had lunch with somebody, and he’s a Californian, and he lives in a different part of the country. He goes, ‘You come back to California; it’s like, does anybody eat out here?’ He’s like, ‘offensive linemen in high school are 255.’ And so I just think other parts of the country; the SEC produces more, Midwest produces them, Northeast does.”

According to On3’s 2023 Industry Football Rankings, the state of California has one defensive lineman in the Top 100 overall players. At 6-foot-5, Matayo Uiagalelei weighs in at a lean 263. In contrast, Zalence Heard — an offensive line prospect from Louisiana – weighs in at 305.

However, not every year will meet the criteria set by Cowherd, as the 2024 Industry rankings show two Top 100 players — Brandon Baker and Aydin Breland — weighing over 300-pounds in California. Meanwhile, top-ranked Louisiana defensive line prospect Dominick McKinley weighs in at 280.