From Antonio Gates Jr. to Joey Porter Jr.: 18 sons of ex-NFL stars in college football
Last year, we got to see the children of Patrick Surtain, Joe Horn and Asante Samuel get drafted into the NFL.
Yes, it made some of us feel old.
And now, with the 2022 college football season right around the corner, there are a handful of ex-NFL players who have kids either beginning their first season of college football or returning to college programs — some of whom may end up in the league one day. This started when we heard Antonio Gates’ kid was off to Michigan State and started looking around and ... lots of ex-NFLer sons here!
Though not an exhaustive list, let’s run through some notable names in college football this season who have famous fathers:
1. Freshman WR Antonio Gates Jr. — Michigan State
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Yep, you guessed it: That’s Gates’ son who’s off to the Spartans as a wideout. I can’t imagine who he learned to catch footballs from.
2. Freshman RB Eden James — Howard
A running back with the last name of James? Yep, that’s the son of ex-Colts star Edgerrin James.
3. Freshman QB Cole Pennington — Marshall
This is a no-brainer — a Pennington who committed to the Thundering Herd? That’s the son of Marshall alum Chad Pennington.
4. Freshman S Cristian Driver — Penn State
This is neat: per SI.com, James Franklin coached Donald Driver in 2005 with the Green Bay Packers ... and will now coach his son.
5. Freshman QB Owen McCown — Colorado
Former NFL QB Josh McCown — who played for NINE different pro teams — has a son who’s heading to the Buffaloes.
6. Freshman TE Mason Taylor — LSU
The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor is on the offensive side of the ball and will join Brian Kelly’s squad.
7. Freshman CB Christian Harrison — Tennessee
Former New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers safety Rodney Harrison’s kid is a Vol now.
8. RS freshman QB Clay Millen — Colorado State
Before playing for a handful of NFL teams, quarterback Hugh Millen was slinging it for Washington. His son, however, is in the Mountain West with the Rams.
9. RS freshman C Drew Kendall — Boston College
Following his father, Pete Kendall, and playing for the Golden Eagles, Drew could be a big help to Boston College, now in his second year with the program.
10. Sophomore QB Shedeur Sanders — Jackson State
You may have already put it together, but Shedeur is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders. And he’s now in his second season playing for his father.
11. Sophomore RB Frank Gore Jr. — Southern Miss
The son of NFL star Frank Gore, the younger running back is definitely one to keep an eye on.
12. Sophomore WR Marvin Harrison Jr. — Ohio State
Now in his second season with the Buckeyes, he’s the son of Marvin Harrison Sr., the Pro Football Hall of Famer who played for the Indianapolis Colts for 13 years.
13. Sophomore OT Joe Alt — Notre Dame
His father, John Alt, was part of Iowa’s offensive line before being Kansas City’s first-round NFL draft pick in 1984.
14. Sophomore LB Carson Bruener — Washington
Carson is the son of Mark Bruener, who played tight end for the Huskies and was one of two true freshmen to play for the 1991 national championship team, per GoHuskies.com. The linebacker’s father later became a first-round pick and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans.
15. Junior RB E.J. Smith — Stanford
Son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, E.J. is on the Doak Walker Award watch list and was named Preseason All-Pac-12 honorable mention as he enters his junior season with the Cardinal.
16. Junior WR Josh Downs — North Carolina
While his father, Gary Downs, was a running back for N.C. State, Josh ended up catching balls for the Tar Heels and is coming off a standout sophomore season, after which he was named first team All-ACC.
17. Junior WR Brenden Rice — USC
Brenden — the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice — transferred to USC from Colorado in 2022 and will now play for Lincoln Riley’s Trojans.
18. RS junior CB Joey Porter Jr. — Penn State
After being named third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches last season, Joey — the son of Joey Porter Sr., who played 13 NFL seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals — returns for the Nittany Lions and should make a decent impact for their defense this year.
