What have been the greatest and most productive states for recruiting in Notre Dame's football history? Our countdown from 50 to 1 is based on these criteria:

• Quantity from the state who have seen game action at Notre Dame.

• Quality and depth of athletes from the state throughout history.

• Impact made on the program in the past, present and how it's on the rise or decline in the future.

Our countdown began with states that have had the least impact over the years. We have now reached a point where at least five major contributors, record setters or luminary-like figures can be counted from each state. As the list continues, it will be upped to 10 and eventually an all-time team at every position for the top states.

At No. 22 is Kentucky.

Players Who Have Seen Action At Notre Dame: 31

First To Play: In Notre Dame's first game ever, 1887 versus Michigan, Frank Fehr (Louisville) was the starting left end.

Most Recent To Sign Scholarship: Offensive tackle Hunter Bivin (Owensboro), who was redshirted as a 2013 freshman and then last year played in five games as a reserve to become the 31st player from the state to see action.

Notable: Since the turn of the century, Notre Dame has signed only four scholarship players from Kentucky: defensive back Jake Carney (2002-05, Lexington), defensive lineman Brandon Newman (2008-11, Louisville), safety Austin Collinsworth (2010-14, Fort Thomas) and Bivin.

1. Paul Hornung (Louisville, 1954-56) - They don't come much better than the 1956 Heisman Trophy winner (despite a 2-8 record) who was the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft. He also is one of only six Notre Dame players to be inducted into both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, joining Wayne Millner, George Connor, Alan Page, Dave Casper and Tim Brown. The Golden Boy played fullback in 1954 before moving to quarterback his last two seasons, but he also was a stalwart on defense and as a kicker

2. Jack Elder (Louisville, 1927-29) - One of the world's top sprinters in his day, the left halfback's signature play came on defense when he intercepted an Army pass in the 1929 season finale and returned it 100 yards for a score in Notre Dame's 7-0 victory in Yankee Stadium that clinched the national title. It is one of the most significant/timeless plays in Nore Dame history.

3. Leonard "Pete" Bahan (Somerset, 1917-19) - The three-year starter captained Knute Rockne's first two teams in 1918-19 while getting overshadowed by the immortal George Gipp. The rare distinction as a two-time captain saw him start at right halfback in 1917-18 before moving to quarterback for Rockne's first unbeaten team (9-0) in 1919.

4. Bob Lehmann (Louisville, 1961-63) - Joined Bahan as the only other Irish captain from Kentucky (until Collinsworth last year) when he held that title for interim coach Hugh Devore's 2-7 team in 1963. The guard/linebacker recorded 197 career tackles, finishing second in that category in both 1962 (61) and 1963 (95).

5. Tony Driver (Louisville, 1997-2000) and Chris Brown (Owensboro, 1980-83) - The defensive back recruits both became sixth-round selections who played two seasons apiece in the NFL. Driver arrived as a USA Today first-team All-American running back recruit, but he shifted to safety as a sophomore and helped Notre Dame to 9-3 finishes in 1998 and 2000, recording 125 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes broken up in those two campaigns. Brown played as a nickel, cornerback and safety, recording 83 tackles, 14 passes broken up and four interceptions his last two seasons.

An honorable mention to the aforementioned Collinsworth, guard Bernie Crimmins (Louisville, 1939-41), tight end Frank Jacobs (Highland Heights, 1987-89) and running back Ed Ziegler (Woodlawn, 1967-69) Crimmins was a backup running back his first two years before earning second-team United Press All-American honors for the 8-0-1 team in 1941, head coach Frank Leahy's first with the Irish. Jacobs was the nation's top tight end recruit in 1987 and caught a TD pass in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl national title win over West Virginia, but he pursued a baseball career after his junior season. Ziegler was the second-leading rusher for the 1969 Irish with 483 yards and also caught two TD passes.

Although it is a bordering state, Kentucky has come nowhere close to Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana at producing the quanity and quality of football talent for the Fighting Irish those states have. It is and always will be a "basketball state," and it likely will never be considered a viable contender for the SEC title in football. The Wildcats and Vanderbilt generally have been classified as bottom feeders in the league.

That's not to say a coveted prospect such as lineman Matt Elam (Elizabethtown) in 2014 (signed with Kentucky) or five-star running back Damien Harris (Barea), who signed with Alabama this February, won't be available on a yearly basis and evaluated by the staff. But while states such as the Carolinas, Georgia or Virginia are trending up in recent years, Kentucky has been falling back a little more.