The NFL Draft sees a lot of collegiate talent take their football paths to the next level with a chance to play at the highest level of professional sports in the NFL.
Many have heard their names called when they were drafted over the years and have made exciting Hall of Fame careers during their time in the NFL. With the 2024 NFL Draft approaching, these Hall of Famers have sons who look to take the next step and forge their paths in the NFL once the Draft begins. Proving once again that apple don’t fall far from their trees.
Here are 12 NFL Legends whose sons are about to get taken in the 2024 NFL Draft:
Brenden Rice: Son of Jerry Rice
As we all know, Jerry Rice is arguably the greatest wide receiver to ever play in the NFL. His son, Brenden Rice, started his collegiate career, slowly, at the University of Colorado where he had 27 receptions 419 receiving yards, and scored five touchdowns.
Brandon transferred out of Colorado for the University of Southern California and he truly stepped his game up with 76 receptions for 1,255 receiving yards and scored 15 touchdowns as a Trojan. Rice declared for the NFL Draft and ran 4.50 seconds during the 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 36.5 inches.
Although Rice isn’t projected to be a first-round pick, he can truly benefit whoever drafts him as a second, third, or late-round draft steal, and develop into a superstar with the correct coaching and offensive talent around him depending on who ends up drafting Rice.
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Luke McCaffrey: Son of Ed McCaffrey
Ed McCaffrey had a very solid NFL career, which saw him earn three Super Championships with the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Denver Broncos, respectively.
Ed McCaffrey already has his son, Christian McCaffrey, dominating at the running back position. His other son, Luke McCaffrey, originally was the quarterback at the University of Nebraska before transferring to Rice University and switching to wide receiver.
The younger McCaffrey caught 58 receptions for 723 yards and scored six touchdowns during his first season as a wideout. McCaffrey drastically improved during his final season as a Rice Owl as he caught 68 receptions for 963 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.
McCaffrey declared for the NFL Draft and ran 4.46 seconds during his 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 36 inches. Although McCaffrey never had 1,000 receiving yards during his collegiate career, his father, Ed McCaffrey also never had a 1,000 receiving yard season during his time at Stanford. Luke McCaffrey could potentially end up being a third or fourth-round steal and create a solid NFL career like his father did during his time in the NFL.
Joe Alt: Son of John Alt
John Alt had a very solid career as a two-time Pro Bowler for the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1980s and 1990s and earned himself a spot in the Chiefs Hall of Fame for his contributions. His son, Joe Alt became a sensational offensive tackle and tight end at the University of Notre Dame as he played in all 13 games started the final 13 games as a left tackle, and became a 2023 unanimous All-American under one of the best offenses for the Fighting Irish.
Alt also had the highest PFF grade of 90.7 for offensive linemen last season. Alt ran 5.05 seconds during the 40-yard dash which is the fastest speed for any offensive linemen prospect in the last two combines. Like his father, Joe is projected to go in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.
Unlike his father who was drafted 21st overall by the Chiefs in 1984, Alt is projected to possibly land with the Tennessee Titans with the seventh pick of the draft, even though there are a lot of surprises in store for the Draft every year. We hope Alt brings his tremendous offensive talents to the NFL no matter what team drafts him.
Marvin Harrison Jr.: Son of Marvin Harrison Sr.
Marvin Harrison Sr., as we all know, became one of Peyton Manning’s most reliable pass catchers, during his time as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, as well as an eight-time Pro Bowler and a Pro Football Hall of Famer. His son, Harrison Jr. dominated at wide receiver at Ohio State University with two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt along with 31 touchdowns during his three years as a Buckeye.
However, Harrison Jr. skipped his Pro Day and was a no-show during the NFL Combine. Instead, Harrison Jr. trained with strength and conditioning specialist, Mickey Marotti, to prepare him for play at the professional level.
With that, Harrison Jr. is projected to be a very high first-round pick in the upcoming 2024 Draft, as he continues to be a strong game changer for wide receiver needy offense, for the upcoming 2024 season similar to what his father did during his time with the Colts, from 1996 until the end of the 2008 season.
Jordan Whittington: Nephew of Arthur Whittington
Arthur Whittington may not have been the flashiest running back in the 1970s and 80s, but he did help the Oakland Raiders win Super Bowl 15 27-10 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
His nephew, Jordan Whillington is a solid wide receiver prospect, out of the University of Texas, ready to take his talents to the professional level. Wellington ran a 4.47 during the 40-yard dash and has a 77.7 from NFL Draft Buzz.
Even though Willington isn’t the quickest wide receiver in the draft, he still can be a very serviceable mid to late-round pick for an NFL team looking for a wide receiver, and become a star in the league similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was drafted in the fourth-round by the Detroit Lions in 2021 and became a Pro Bowler for them. We’ll just wait and see what happens come Draft night.
Frank Gore Jr.: Son of Frank Gore Sr.
Frank Gore Sr. was a true NFL ironman, who played in 16 seasons in the league, as well as providing a very strong veteran presence at running back for teams in his later career. His son, Frank Gore Jr. shined as a running back in college and continued improving each year.
Gore Jr. had two 1,000-yard seasons during his final two years at the University of Southern Mississippi and was named the MVP for the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl. Gore Jr. ran a 4.58 during the 40-yard dash and has a 76.3 from NFL Draft Buzz.
Gore Jr. is 5’8”, just an inch shorter than his father, and is currently projected to be a third-round pick, just like his father. Gore Jr. has the potential to follow in his father’s footsteps, and forge a path where he becomes a third-round steal, and makes plenty of Pro Bowls of his own with the proper coaching staff and offensive talent around him. We’ll just wait and see what happens come Draft Night and the 2024 regular season.
Javon Foster: Son of Jerome Foster
Jerome Foster was a defensive end who may not have been a Pro Bowler or Hall of Famer, but he did have a decent couple of years in the NFL, playing for the Houston Oilers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets, respectively.
His son, Javon Foster is a very reliable offensive guard, who started in 39 games for the Missouri Tigers until 2023. Foster was also named an All-First-Team SEC Conference his senior year. Foster ran 5.30 seconds during his 40-yard dash and has an overall rating of 82.3 from NFL Draft Buzz. Foster’s great strength will keep defensive edge rushers at bay and operates effectively in space.
However, Foster does have his weaknesses, where he’s rigid with his footwork, which he’ll need to overcome in the NFL, after he gets drafted. Foster is currently projected to be a mid or late-round draft pick, who has the potential to become a game-changer on the offensive line, over time, in the right system.
Drake Nugent: Son of Terry Nugent
Terry Nugent began his NFL career as a sixth-round pick for the Cleveland Browns as a quarterback, and had a brief stint with the Indianapolis Colts in 1987, but didn’t see much playing time.
His son, Drake Nugent, is an offensive center standout, who began his collegiate career at Stanford, before drastically improving his game at Michigan, when he transferred over. Nugent Jr became the starting center with 15 consecutive starts, as well as, helped the Wolverines capture the 2023-24 College Football National Championship, 34-13 over the University of Washington. Nugent, also didn’t allow any sacks during his time as a Wolverine.
Nugent declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, looking to bring his strong and rugged performance to the next level. Nugent ran a 5.23 during the 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 29.50 inches. Nugent is projected to be a late-round pick, but has a lot of upside to his game, as he’s outstanding in the screen game, is fundamentally sound understands blocking angles, and shows great quickness and flexibility on reach blocks. Whoever drafts Nugent, will have a great and reliable center, ready to get to work for the 2024 season.
Jonah Elliss: Son of Luther Elliss
Luther Elliss had a very nice career in the NFL, where he was a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, and spent his final season with the Denver Broncos, in 2004 before retiring. His son, Jonah Elliss etched his mark as a defensive end during his collegiate career at the University of Utah.
Elliss had 78 tackles, 23 of them were for losses, and had 16 sacks during his three seasons as a Utah Ute. Elliss enters the 2024 NFL Draft looking to continue improving and forging a strong path of his own, come the 2024 regular season. Elliss ran a 4.70 during the 40-yard dash and has an overall rating of 84.6 from NFL Draft Buzz.
Elliss has a very strong first step off the line, which can disrupt some strong offensive lines, as well as great grip strength, which allows him to move past offensive blockers, effectively. Elliss is projected to get drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft, and does have the makings to become a starter on the right defense.
Jaylen Harrell: Son of James Harrell
James Harrell bounced around the NFL with stints with the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs, as an un-drafted free agent, as well as a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL. Harrell has since become a coach at the high school level and is currently the coach at Kentucky Christian University.
His son, Jaylen Harrell looks to follow in his father’s footsteps, as a strong defensive talent in the NFL, when he gets drafted. Harrell was also a part of the Wolverines team that won the 2023-24 College Football National Championship game, 34-13 against the University of Washington. Harrell ran a 4.68 during the 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 37 inches according to NFL Draft Buzz.
Harrell is projected to be a late-round pick, is great at blitzing opponents, and is good against the run. Whoever drafts Harrell won’t regret it, as he has the making to improve an NFL defense, thanks to his time at Michigan.
Kris Jenkins Jr.: Son of Kris Jenkins Sr.
Kris Jenkins Sr. had a very good career in the NFL as he was a four-time Pro Bowler for the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets, respectively. Jenkins also played in Super Bowl 38, but came up short in the Panthers’ 29-32 loss to the New England Patriots.
His son, Jenkins Jr. is yet another can’t-miss prospect, out of the University of Michigan, similar to his teammate Jaylen Harrell, as he looks to create his legacy as a defensive lineman, just like his father. Jenkins Jr. finished his senior year at Michigan with 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception as he declared for the NFL Draft.
Jenkins Jr. ran a 4.91 during his 40-yard dash and had a 30-inch vertical jump according to NFL Draft Buzz. Because of his athleticism, that helped the Wolverines capture the 2023-24 National Championship, Jenkins Jr. is projected to be drafted in the second round, and brings great athleticism with quickness and strength, as he’s very tough against the run. We look forward to seeing what Jenkins Jr. does at the next level.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.: Son of Jeremiah Trotter Sr.
Jeremiah Trotter Sr. was a four-time Pro Bowler, had three stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as stints with Washington and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and earned himself a spot on the Eagles Hall of Fame, for all he accomplished in the city of “Brotherly Love.”
His son, Trotter Jr. excelled at linebacker during his collegiate career at Clemson University. Trotter Jr. finished his collegiate career with 192 tackles, 13 sacks, four interceptions, and two pick-six’s as a Clemson Tiger.
During the combine, Trotter Jr. ran a 4.60 during the 40-yard dash and has an 85.1 from NFL Draft Buzz. Trotter Jr. is projected to be a late first-round pick or a second-round pick, depending on which defensive talent-needy team drafts this incredible linebacker, who has shown excellent competitiveness and speed during his time at Clemson. We can’t wait to see what Trotter Jr. does to opposing offenses in the 2024 season.
