It’s hard to keep track of all that California produces, from good old fruits and veggies to the world’s most advanced technologies, the Golden State churns out quality products. While most look to Texas as the country’s football hotbed, California currently has the most natives playing in the NFL, 184 to 168.
California also leads at the most important position on the field, NFL quarterbacks. With Sam Darnold now set to take the lead role with the Minnesota Vikings, the Golden Poppy State claims nine starting jobs or 28 percent of the NFL quarterbacks call California home.
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California’s NFL Quarterbacks
- Josh Allen, Fresno
- Jared Goff, Marin
- Derek Carr, Bakersfield
- Jordan Love, Bakersfield
- Aaron Rodgers, Chico
- C.J. Stroud, Rancho Cucamonga
- Bryce Young, Santa Ana
- Jayden Daniels, San Bernadino
- Sam Darnold, San Clemente
While nine is impressive the all-time high was hit in 1986, when 13 Californians were NFL quarterbacks.
Of the nine, four players hail from the LA/Southern California area of the state; CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Jayden Daniels, and Sam Darnold.
Several players stayed close to home when deciding on where to matriculate and play their college ball. Both Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff played in Berkeley. Sam Darnold played for the USC Trojans, just 64 miles from his high school. Derek Carr played for Fresno State.
Three of these have had the pleasure of playing within the boards of California as an NFL quarterback. Jared Goff was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2016. Derek Carr played in Oakland for six seasons with the now-Las Vegas Raiders. Darnold played just one season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
