In a potential historic moment for the NBA, LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, are set to become the first father-son duo to share an NBA court. If LeBron stays with the Los Angeles Lakers this year, fans will witness this unprecedented milestone following Bronny's recent draft-day selection. This occurrence highlights that legendary bloodlines in sports extend beyond basketball.
In the NFL, the tradition of athletic excellence is particularly prominent. More than a dozen active players have fathers who enjoyed remarkable careers on the gridiron. Incredibly, there are 16 future NFL prospects with direct ties to former greats. Leading this new generation, Shedeur Sanders transferred to Colorado from Jackson State, where he will now play under his father, Deion Sanders. Deion, an eight-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame cornerback and return specialist, continues to make a significant impact as Colorado's coach.
Meanwhile, E.J. Warner, who transferred from Temple to Rice, follows in the footsteps of his father, Kurt Warner. Kurt Warner is a renowned figure in NFL history, having won two MVP awards and led the Rams to a Super Bowl championship to conclude the 1999 season. Similarly, Cole Pennington started three games for Marshall in 2023, stepping in as an injury replacement. His father, Chad Pennington, carved out a 12-year career with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, earning the Comeback Player of the Year title twice.
Committed to Excellence
Henry Hasselbeck made headlines when he committed to UCLA after initially planning to attend Michigan State. His father, Matt Hasselbeck, is remembered for his time leading the Seattle Seahawks from 2001-2010 during his three Pro Bowl appearances. Meanwhile, Eden James has been a powerhouse at Howard, averaging more than five yards per carry in each of his first two college seasons. His father, Edgerrin James, a Hall of Fame inductee in 2020, ranks just outside the NFL's all-time top-10 rushing list.
E.J. Smith, who transferred to Texas A&M from Stanford, aims to uphold the legacy of his father, Emmitt Smith. Emmitt is the NFL's all-time leading rusher, having played 13 of his 15 pro seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and winning three Super Bowl titles. Another noteworthy mention is Antonio Gates Jr., who made his college debut at Michigan State in 2023 as a redshirt freshman. His father, Antonio Gates, is one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history, with 116 touchdown catches to his name.
From Defense to Offense
Cristian Driver is yet another prospect to watch. Initially playing as a defensive back at Penn State, he converted to wide receiver with Minnesota. His father, Donald Driver, played 14 years with the Green Bay Packers, earning four Pro Bowl selections. Similarly, Mason Taylor had at least 35 catches in each of his first two seasons at LSU. His father, Jason Taylor, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 after a 15-year career that included six Pro Bowl selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
Tradition Continues
Willis McGahee IV is making waves as a top-ranked outside linebacker prospect at Nebraska, following in the footsteps of his father, Willis McGahee III, who enjoyed an 11-season career as a running back. Devan Kennedy is a new name in the college football scene at Iowa, where he looks to follow the path blazed by his father, Jimmy Kennedy, a 2003 first-round draft pick who played nine NFL seasons.
Bryce Young has committed to Notre Dame as a promising recruit in the trenches. Bryce’s father, Bryant Young, spent 14 years with the San Francisco 49ers, winning a Super Bowl and earning four Pro Bowl nods. Another rising star is Christian Harrison, who is making an impact in special teams during his college career at Tennessee. His father, Rodney Harrison, won two Super Bowls over a 15-year career.
An Eye on the Future
Shilo Sanders has transferred from Jackson State to Colorado, bringing experience as a safety prospect. His presence on the field is a nod to his illustrious lineage. Kennedy Urlacher, a defensive star from Chandler High School, is establishing himself at Notre Dame. His father, Brian Urlacher, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 and was an eight-time Pro Bowler for the Chicago Bears.
Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is another name bound to draw attention. A highly regarded defensive back and return specialist at Alabama, he is following the path of his father, Dre Kirkpatrick, who played ten seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Bengals. The intersections of these legacies highlight that the greatness seen on the field often runs deep, passed from one generation to the next, ensuring that the future of these sports remains bright and steeped in tradition.