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18 former NFL stars with sons playing college football in 2022

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 (ahem, right here!) feel old. Like, really 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’s 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

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 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 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 Patriots 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 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 eight-time NFL All-Pro player 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 Steelers and 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 Steelers, Dolphins and Cardinals — returns for the Nittany Lions and should make a decent impact for their defense this year.

See live draft results and grades at the 2024 USA TODAY NFL Draft Hub.

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