In a historic moment for the NBA, LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, are on the cusp of becoming the first father-son duo to share an NBA court. If LeBron, the Los Angeles Lakers’ stalwart, remains with the team this year, fans will be privileged to witness this unprecedented milestone, spurred by Bronny's recent selection on draft day.
Football's Family Ties
Basketball is not the only sport experiencing family legacies. More than a dozen active NFL players boast fathers who had remarkable careers on the gridiron. Among future prospects, 16 have direct ties to former NFL greats, weaving a rich tapestry of generational talent in the league.
College Football Transfers and Legacies
Shedeur Sanders’ move from Jackson State to Colorado has been a prominent storyline. Under the mentorship of his father, Deion Sanders—a Hall of Fame cornerback and eight-time Pro Bowler—Shedeur is positioned to make significant strides. Deion Sanders continues to leave an indelible mark as Colorado's head coach, leveraging his storied career to shape future stars.
Another player on the move is E.J. Warner, who transferred from Temple to Rice. Warner’s father, Kurt Warner, is etched in NFL history with two MVP awards and leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory to cap off the 1999 season.
Cole Pennington also made headlines in 2023, starting three games for Marshall as an injury replacement. His father, Chad Pennington, enjoyed a 12-year career with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, distinguished by twice earning the Comeback Player of the Year title.
Commitments and New Beginnings
Henry Hasselbeck, initially eyeing Michigan State, has committed to UCLA, following in the footsteps of his father, Matt Hasselbeck. The elder Hasselbeck led the Seattle Seahawks from 2001 to 2010 and earned three Pro Bowl appearances.
At Howard University, Eden James is making a name for himself, averaging over five yards per carry in each of his first two college seasons. His father, Edgerrin James, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020 and ranks just outside the NFL's all-time top-10 rushing list.
E.J. Smith also made a switch, transferring from Stanford to Texas A&M. As he carries the torch from his father, Emmitt Smith—the NFL's all-time leading rusher with three Super Bowl titles with the Dallas Cowboys—expectations are sky-high.
New Blood in the NCAA
Antonio Gates Jr. debuted at Michigan State in 2023 as a redshirt freshman, stepping out of the massive shadow cast by his father, Antonio Gates, one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history with 116 touchdown catches. Meanwhile, Cristian Driver made a significant position change, transitioning from defensive back at Penn State to wide receiver with Minnesota, paths that diverge from the illustrious career of his father Donald Driver, who had four Pro Bowl selections with the Green Bay Packers.
In the SEC, Mason Taylor's performance at LSU has been consistent, recording at least 35 catches in each of his first two seasons. His father, Jason Taylor, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 after a 15-year career peppered with six Pro Bowl selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
Emerging Stars
Willis McGahee IV is becoming a force to reckon with at Nebraska as a top-ranked outside linebacker prospect, continuing the legacy of Willis McGahee III, who had an 11-season career as a running back. Newcomer Devan Kennedy has started to make waves on the college football scene at Iowa, following in the footsteps of his father, Jimmy Kennedy, a 2003 first-round draft pick who played nine NFL seasons.
Bryce Young’s commitment to Notre Dame adds another chapter to his family's storied history. His father, Bryant Young, spent 14 years with the San Francisco 49ers, winning a Super Bowl and earning four Pro Bowl honors.
Special Teams and Defensive Standouts
Christian Harrison is carving out a niche in special teams during his collegiate career at Tennessee. His father, Rodney Harrison, enjoyed a 15-year NFL career that included two Super Bowl victories. Similarly, Shilo Sanders, another son of Deion Sanders, has transferred from Jackson State to Colorado, adding depth to his father's team.
Kennedy Urlacher is making strides at Notre Dame, mirroring the high standards set by his father, Brian Urlacher, an eight-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
Lastly, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is emerging as a highly regarded defensive back and return specialist at Alabama, following the ten-season NFL career of his father, Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., primarily with the Bengals.
These emerging talents are more than just namesakes; they are living up to, and oftentimes surpassing, the formidable legacies set by their fathers, fulfilling the promise of their family names in the sporting world.