When it comes to football acumen, the apple often doesn’t fall far from the tree.
NFL players that many of us remember watching now have children playing the college game, and we’ve even seen some drafted in recent years as was the case with Joey Porter Jr., Asante Samuel Jr., Josh Downs and Patrick Surtain II.
This year in college football is no different, and some of the sport’s biggest stars come from NFL families and are likely to soon follow in their footsteps. From Marvin Harrison Jr. to E.J. Warner, here are 13 current college players whose dads played in the NFL.
Marvin Harrison Jr. - Ohio State
Dad: Marvin Harrison Sr.
Like his father dominated the NFL with Peyton Manning, MHJ has become one of the best wideouts in the entire country and seems like a shoo-in to be a top-5 NFL Draft pick in 2024.
Shedeur Sanders - Colorado
Dad: Deion Sanders
This is probably the most obvious one on this list, seeing as Shedeur’s father is also the Buffaloes’ head coach.
Shilo Sanders - Colorado
Older brother Shilo Sanders is also with the Buffs as a safety.
Frank Gore Jr. - Southern Miss
Dad: Frank Gore Sr.
Gore Jr. is having a fairly quiet 2023, but he’s coming off a 1,382-yard season and even saw some action at quarterback due to injury in 2021 for the Golden Eagles.
Brenden Rice - USC
Dad: Jerry Rice
Living up to the legacy of the greatest receiver of all time is no easy feat, but the Colorado transfer is finding his footing in Los Angeles and is on pace for a career year in 2023.
Cristian Driver - Penn State
Dad: Donald Driver
Cristian Driver is still early in his career at Penn State, and the redshirt freshman has just one reception so far in two seasons.
Antonio Gates Jr. - Michigan State
Dad: Antonio Gates Sr.
The son of one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, the younger Gates is a receiver for the Spartans who redshirted in Year 1 but has appeared in six games in 2023 with three receptions.
Mason Taylor - LSU
Dad: Jason Taylor
Taylor is something of a double legacy as both his father and uncle, Zach Thomas, are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Taylor is a two-year starter at LSU whose biggest play came when he caught the game-winning two-point conversion to upset Alabama in 2022.
Joe Alt - Notre Dame
Dad: John Alt
Alt’s father was a 13-year offensive tackle with the Chiefs, and the 2022 First Team All-American is following in his footsteps. He’s become one of the top offensive linemen in the country and a potential top-10 NFL Draft pick in 2024.
Christian Harrison - Tennessee
Dad: Rodney Harrison
The son of the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks for a safety, Harrison has been a reserve defensive back in his two seasons at Tennessee.
E.J. Smith - Stanford
Dad: Emmitt Smith
The son of a Pro Football Hall of Famer and arguably the greatest running back in NFL history, Smith got off to a hot start in 2022 before his season ended due to injury after two games.
Eden James - Howard
Dad: Edgerrin James
The son of another Hall of Fame running back, James has emerged as the lead back for the Bison in his sophomore year in 2023.
E.J. Warner - Temple
Dad: Kurt Warner
Warner’s father won a Super Bowl, played in another and made it to Canton, and his own career is off to a nice start. A two-year starter for the Owls, he was named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year in 2022 after winning the starting job as a true freshman.
