College Football Roster Geography

In 1986, 69% of the typical team’s players came from its state or within 250 miles of campus. In 2026, it was 46%.

Median team share among players with known hometowns. 14 teams in 1986; 138 in 2026. The 2026 roster snapshot was collected before the season.

140 teams, grouped by conference.

How far is home?

The national median hides how differently individual teams changed.

20162026

A regional roster became a wider one, with the shift most visible after 2017.

+281miles farther

A much wider recruiting orbit, even though earlier seasons tell a different story.

+251miles farther

National then, national now. Not every distant roster represents recent change.

+3miles farther

Still regionally centered, with almost no movement in the median distance.

-3miles closer

Select a campusSee its 2026 Homecoming Radius.

138 campuses with reliable Homecoming Radius data in 2026.

Each circle shows a team’s 2026 Homecoming Radius from its campus. Hover, focus, or tap a team to see the value.

Three ways to read the same roster: state ties, distance from campus, and players who appeared at another program.

The rosters with the largest in-state share among players whose home state is known.

The rosters with the lowest average hometown-to-campus distance among located players.

The rosters with the highest share of players who appeared on another college roster in an earlier season.

Open its reliable history, coverage gaps, and latest available roster.

140 teams, grouped by conference.