Los Angeles is the only city with two top 20 schools on this list, and Crenshaw High gives L.A. its first entry. Pro Bowlers Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Wendell Tyler are the most famous Crenshaw graduates while the Chiefs’ De’Anthony Thomas tops among active players.
The school also has produced some pretty good athletes in other sports, including Darryl Strawberry in Major League Baseball and Marques Johnson of the NBA and "White Men Can’t Jump" fame.
Crenshaw’s football team has won six state titles, with five of those coming since the 2005 season. Legendary coach Robert Garrett, who started coaching at Crenshaw in 1987, is a big reason why.
"He’s served the community very well," Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Brandon Mebane, one of Garrett's former players in the NFL, told the Los Angeles Times. "He’s helped a lot of kids become great men."
NFL Players Who Attended Crenshaw (Years in League)
Albert Bell (1988)
Jerome Boyd (1983)
James Davis (1982-87)
Charles DeJurnett (1976-86)
Greg Ducre (2014-15)
Duane Galloway (1985-87)
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (2003-07)
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (2000-08)
Don Goodman (1987)
Dominique Hatfield (2017-present)
Dante Hughes (2007-11)
Kerry Justin (1978-87)
Sid Justin (1979-82)
Reggie Lewis (1982-84)
Charles Lockett (1987-88)
Jim Looney (1981)
Marcus Martin (2014-16)
Brandon Mebane (2007-present)
Brian Price (2010-12)
Hayes Pullard (2015-18)
Clint Sampson (1983-86)
De'Anthony Thomas (2014-present)
Wendell Tyler (1977-86)
Michael Williams (1995)
Eric Yarber (1986-87)