The state that played as important of a role as any in the formation of the United States the home of the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere's midnight ride, the Boston Massacre and the Battles of Lexington and Concord, to name a few major events has also produced its share of exemplary college athletes.The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a bastion of American higher education, with roughly 100 colleges dotted across 7,800 square miles of landmass. And at a number of those schools, there are proud programs with a lengthy history of producing accomplished athletes.Boston College has produced a Heisman Trophy winner, and future NFL and NHL stars. UMass and Holy Cross have both enjoyed runs as national powerhouses in men's basketball. There are few, if any, places in the country where you'll find better men's and women's college hockey, whether it's the Beanpot quartet of BC, Boston University, Northeastern and Harvard or elsewhere in the commonwealth at places like UMass, UMass Lowell or Merrimack.Who are the best athletes those schools have produced?In honor of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States, USA TODAY Sports is ranking the top 10 college athletes from each state. The athlete doesn't have to be from the state, but is required to have attended college there to be considered. These rankings are based purely on what an athlete did at the college level, not once they left campus. Tough cuts had to be made, especially somewhere like the Bay State, with so many colleges and universities to consider.Here's who made the cut for Massachusetts:10 greatest college athletes from MassachusettsJulius Erving, MassachusettsWhile he's known much more for his ABA and NBA exploits, the man more commonly known as Dr. J had an extraordinary college career. In just two seasons, Erving set program records in scoring (1,370 points) and rebounds (1,049), which came out to averages of 26.3 points and an absurd 20.2 rebounds per game a feat made all the more impressive considering the NCAA had outlawed dunking before his college career began, robbing fans of the high-flying artistry he displayed professionally. He's one of only six players in Division I men's basketball history to average at least 20 points and 20 rebounds per game for his career.USA 250 LISTS:Alaska | Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | MissouriDoug Flutie, Boston CollegeThe man responsible for one of the most iconic plays in college football history had an awfully nice career even beyond that one memorable night in Miami. Small in stature and big in talent, Flutie earned the starting quarterback role as a true freshman and didn't look back, never missing a game in his college career. The Natick, Massachusetts native punctuated his time in Chestnut Hill by leading the Eagles to a 10-2 mark and a Cotton Bowl victory while becoming the only player in program history to win the Heisman Trophy. He ended his college career as the all-time Division I-A (now FBS) leader in total yards, with 10,579.Marcus Camby, MassachusettsThere was a run of about five years in the 1990s when UMass was one of the best programs in college basketball. While much of that improbable rise can be traced to the remarkable work done by John Calipari and the players he coached, the Minutemen didn't reach their true peak until Camby arrived. As a junior in 1995-96, Camby led the Minutemen to a 35-2 record and the program's first and only Final Four appearance while sweeping the major national player of the year awards. He left the school in 1996 as its all-time leader in career blocked shots (336) despite foregoing his senior year for the NBA draft, where at No. 2 overall he was the highest selection in program history.Bob Cousy, Holy CrossBefore he became one of the central pieces in the Celtics' dynasty about 45 miles east in Boston, Cousy made his mark for a Holy Cross program that was one of the country's top programs in the 1940s and 1950s. As a freshman, he was a contributing member of a Crusaders squad that won the 1947 NCAA championship. He earned All-America honors in each of his final three seasons at the school, including consensus first-team recognition as a senior. Perhaps more notably, Cousy's up-tempo, free-flowing style helped advance what had been a relatively static game at the time.Chris Drury, Boston UniversityOne of the best defensive forwards in modern college hockey history, Drury accomplished virtually everything he could have in his four years at Boston University. As a freshman in 1995, he helped lead the Terriers to their first national championship in 17 years. He was a first-team All-American in each of his final two college seasons and in 1998, he became BU's first-ever recipient of the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in men's college hockey. Along with the NCAA title, the Terriers won four Beanpots and four Hockey East regular-season championships in Drury's time with the program.PROGRAM RANKINGS: Top 25 | Big Ten | SEC | ACC | Big 12Johnny Gaudreau, Boston CollegeGaudreau wasted little time showing the college hockey world what he could do, finishing third in goals and third in points on a BC team that won the 2012 NCAA championship. He only added to his lore in the ensuing years. As a sophomore, he led the country in points per game and after putting off his NHL dreams another year, he finished first nationally in points, goals and assists as a junior in 2014, helping him become BC's third-ever Hobey Baker Award winner. Gaudreau, who tragically died in 2024 when he and his brother were struck while cycling by a driver who was allegedly drunk, was also a two-time Hockey East player of the year.Tom Heinsohn, Holy CrossLike Cousy, his future NBA teammate, Heinsohn starred at Holy Cross before becoming a key figure in the Celtics dynasty of the 1950s and 1960s. As a sophomore in 1953-54, he scored 444 points that season while leading the Crusaders to the NIT championship back when it was as prestigious, if not more prestigious, than the NCAA tournament. He was a first-team All-American in each of his final two years in Worcester, including a senior season in which he averaged 27.4 points and 21.1 rebounds per game. Despite playing only three varsity seasons (freshmen were ineligible at the time), he remains Holy Cross' career leader in rebounds.Luke Kuechly, Boston CollegeThe traits and skills that turned Kuechly into one of the greatest linebackers of his generation in the NFL were on full display during his college days. Kuechly was a two-time consensus All-American who, as a senior in 2011, racked up virtually every major defensive award he was up for, winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, Lott Trophy, Butkus Award and Jack Lambert Trophy. In each of his final two seasons, he was the NCAA leader in combined tackles and solo tackles.Gordie Lockbaum, Holy CrossJust how good was Lockbaum? He finished in the top five of Heisman Trophy voting twice ... despite not playing at what was then known as the Division I-A level. Lockbaum was a throwback, serving as the only two-way player in major college football during the 1986 and 1987 seasons. In a 1986 game against Army, he was on the field for 143 plays. He finished his career as the school leader in points in a season (132) and a career (264); touchdowns in a season (22) and a career (44); all-purpose yards in a season (2,173); receptions in a game (15), season (78) and career (135); and receiving yards gained in a season (1,152) and career (2,012). He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.Angela Ruggiero, HarvardRuggiero reached virtually any mark a women's college hockey player could in her decorated career at Harvard. She was a four-time first-team All-American and as a senior in 2004, she won the Patty Kazmaier Award, given annually to the top player in women's college hockey. Alongside teammate Jennifer Botterill, who narrowly missed the cut for this list, she helped lead Harvard to an American Women's College Hockey Alliance championship in 1999 (the NCAA didn't hold a women's hockey tournament until 2001). In 2015, she became just the fourth woman ever inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. A gold medalist in 1998, she's widely considered one of the greatest women's college hockey players of all time.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: USA250: Ranking the 10 greatest college athletes from Massachusetts

Mississippi has, to put it mildly, a complicated history when it comes to race relations. Even as times have changed and attitudes have modernized, a number of the all-time best athletes to compete in college sports did so at schools other than the states flagship campuses.From our perspective, however, it has made the task of choosing the 10 greatest college players more fun. Six different schools are represented on this list, including some hall-of-fame gridiron talents from the states trio of HBCUs. The Magnolia States two SEC schools are also represented, of course, and though football is a rather big deal there weve found some worthy candidates in other sports as well. 10 greatest college athletes from MississippiWalter Payton, Jackson StateThe Football Championship Subdivision player of the year award bears Paytons name with good reason. Before becoming a household name with the Chicago Bears and the NFL's all-time leading rusher (now No. 2 on the list), Sweetness was rewriting the record book with the Jackson State Tigers, where he scored a total of 464 points and rushed for 3,563 yards.USA 250 LISTS:Alaska | Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | MissouriJerry Rice, Mississippi Valley StateThe greatest pass catcher ever to take the field NFL first made his mark on the college game at Mississippi Valley State. From 1981-84 he caught 301 balls for 4,693 yards and 50 touchdowns for the Delta Devils. Along the way he set records for most catches (102) and yards (1,454) in a season and in a game (24) while earning first-team All-America honors.Archie Manning, MisissippiPerhaps better known to present-day fans as the family patriarch, Archie made his share of highlight plays at Ole Miss from 1968-70, leading the Rebels to the Sugar Bowl while finishing fourth and third in the Heisman voting in his junior and senior year, respectively. He accumulated 5,573 yards of total offense in his collegiate career and was named to the Rebels team of the century.Patrick Willis, MississippiOne of the great linebackers of the early 2000s, Willis led the SEC in tackles (128) in his junior season and was a second-team All-American. He improved in his senior year with 134 stops and first-team All-America honors while winning the Butkus Award for the top player at his position.PROGRAM RANKINGS: Top 25 | Big Ten | SEC | ACC | Big 12Brett Favre, Southern MississippiThe most notable name associated with Southern Mississippi football, Favre wasted little time demonstrating the flair for the dramatic that would define his professional career. In four seasons with the Golden Eagles from 1987-90 he threw for 7,695 yards and 52 TDs but also had 34 interceptions.Steve McNair, Alcorn StateNot to be outdone in the FCS record book by Rice, Air McNair smashed a slew of passing marks himself at Alcorn State. He amassed 16,823 yards of total offense, including 14,496 passing, over his career with the Braves and finished third in Heisman voting in 1994 despite not competing in the Bowl Subdivision.Rafael Palmeiro, Mississippi StateThe Mississippi State baseball program has produced its share of future big-leaguers, but Palmeiro arguably had the most impactful stint in Starkville. He clubbed 67 homers and drove in 239 runs from 1982-85, and he won the SEC triple crown in 1984 hitting .415 with 29 homers and 94 RBI. He led the Bulldogs to the College World Series in 1985.Dak Prescott, Mississippi StateNobody quarterback has run the Bulldogs offense better than Prescott. During his 2012-15 career with the Bulldogs he threw for 9,376 yards on 734 completions and 70 touchdowns. In his junior season, Mississippi State was ranked No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings after early wins against top-10 opponents LSU, Texas A&M and Auburn.Morgan William, Mississippi StateThe Mississippi State women's basketball squad that went to consecutive NCAA championship games in 2017 and 2018 lacked star power but made up for it in moxie, exemplified by the diminutive point guard known as Itty Bitty. Often the smallest player on the court, William hit the biggest shot in program history with the overtime game winner in the 2017 NCAA semifinal that snapped UConns 111-game winning streak.Arianne Hartono, MississippiThe Dutch tennis player became Ole Misss first Honda Award winner following her standout senior season in 2018. She concluded that season on a 17-match winning streak and claimed the NCAA singles title. A two-time All-American, Hartono had 37 combined victories in singles and doubles in her senior season to rank second all-time in school history.Dylan DeLucia, MississippiThe right-handed hurler became an instant legend at Ole Miss when he won a pair of games and most outstanding player at the College World Series as the Rebels won their first national championship in 2022. He finished the season with 105 strikeouts in 95.1 innings pitched.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA250: The 10 best college athletes in Mississippi history ranked

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