In an unprecedented milestone for the NBA, LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, are poised to become the first father-son duo to share the court. This historic occasion could unfold this season if LeBron remains with the Los Angeles Lakers, following Bronny’s recent draft-day selection.
This father-son partnership exemplifies a broader trend in professional sports, where family legacies extend seamlessly across generations. Beyond the hardwood, the NFL has seen more than a dozen active players with fathers who once dominated the gridiron, and the future looks equally robust, with 16 promising prospects boasting direct ties to former NFL greats.
Next Generation Stepping Up
One of the standout young talents making waves is Shedeur Sanders. After transferring from Jackson State to Colorado, Shedeur has now joined his father, Deion Sanders, an eight-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame cornerback, who continues to influence the game as Colorado’s coach.
Similarly, E.J. Warner, the son of two-time MVP Kurt Warner, has made a significant move by transferring from Temple to Rice. Kurt Warner’s illustrious career, which includes leading the Rams to a Super Bowl championship to cap the 1999 season, serves as a formidable legacy for E.J. to uphold.
Meanwhile, Cole Pennington, who stepped up as an injury replacement for Marshall in 2023, is following in the footsteps of his father, Chad Pennington. Chad enjoyed a 12-year NFL career with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, earning the Comeback Player of the Year award twice. Similar familial ties are evident with Henry Hasselbeck, who committed to UCLA after initially planning to attend Michigan State. His father, Matt Hasselbeck, led the Seattle Seahawks to three Pro Bowl appearances from 2001 to 2010.
Running Back Royalty
The running back position also boasts several notable father-son pairings. Eden James has been a standout at Howard, averaging more than five yards per carry over 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.
Another young back, E.J. Smith, transferred from Stanford to Texas A&M. E.J. steps into the large shoes of his father, Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher who spent 13 of his 15 pro seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, securing three Super Bowl titles.
Fulfilling Expectations in College Football
Antonio Gates Jr., son of one of the NFL’s most accomplished tight ends with 116 touchdown catches, made his college debut at Michigan State in 2023 as a redshirt freshman. In another positional transition, Cristian Driver, initially a defensive back at Penn State, has converted to wide receiver with Minnesota. His father, Donald Driver, earned four Pro Bowl selections over his 14-year career with the Green Bay Packers.
Mason Taylor has had a steady start at LSU, recording at least 35 catches in each of his first two seasons, a career arc reminiscent of his father, Jason Taylor, a Hall of Famer inducted in 2017 after a stellar 15-year career that included six Pro Bowl selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
Emerging Defensive Stars
Willis McGahee IV is one of the top-ranked outside linebacker prospects at Nebraska, continuing the legacy of his father, Willis McGahee III, who relished an 11-season career as a running back.
Elsewhere on the defensive front, Kennedy Urlacher is carving out his path at Notre Dame. His father, Brian Urlacher, an eight-time Pro Bowler for the Chicago Bears, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., a highly regarded defensive back and return specialist at Alabama, follows in the cleats of Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., who played ten seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Bengals. Similarly, Shilo Sanders, another of Deion Sanders' sons, has transferred from Jackson State to Colorado.
New names like Devan Kennedy at Iowa and Bryce Young at Notre Dame are also stepping onto the scene, each carrying the weight of familial legacies. Devan is the progeny of Jimmy Kennedy, a 2003 first-round draft pick with nine NFL seasons under his belt, while Bryce’s father, Bryant Young, spent 14 years with the San Francisco 49ers, winning a Super Bowl and earning four Pro Bowl nods. Christian Harrison, making his impact on special teams at Tennessee, mirrors the ambitions of his father, Rodney Harrison, who won two Super Bowls in a stellar 15-year career.
As these emerging stars continue to shape their own destinies, their journeys reflect the indelible impact of their predecessors. The continuity of excellence across generations keeps the spirit of competition and achievement alive, ensuring that fans of both the NBA and NFL witness remarkable familial legacies unfolding on the grand stage of professional sports.