Sons of football legends to look out for in 2023

College football will have some extremely familiar names running around in 2023

Author:
Kevin Borba
Publish date:
Jun 3, 2023 5:30 PM EDT

In this story:

When watching college football there are always the discussions of "remember when". Two words that allow for fans, players, and media members alike to think of their favorite college player growing up, and to discuss the legends that have come and gone throughout the years.

While many names could be brought up whether it's Tavon Austin, Brian Bosworth, John Elway, or even Vince Young a handful of your favorite players now likely are old enough to have sons in college. As we look ahead to the 2023 season there are a slew of players that once dominated the sport, whose son will now be looking to follow in their dads footsteps. This could very well make you feel old, but with that in mind let's take a look at the sons of former college football and NFL stars that will be taking the field in 2023.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) prepares to pass during the first half of the spring game at Folsom Filed. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports — Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Deion Sanders

Shedeur Sanders dominated at the FCS level throwing for nearly 7,000 yards and 70 touchdowns over the past couple seasons at Jackson State, but now he is looking to carry that success over to his new program, Colorado. Sanders transferred to Colorado, where his dad Deion, who coached him at Jackson State is now the head coach.

Shilo Sanders, DB, Colorado

Dec 18, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Jackson State Tigers defensive back Shilo Sanders (21) warms up prior to the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs during the 2021 Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports — Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Deion Sanders

Similar to his brother Shedeur, Shilo recently announced his decision to transfer to Colorado. Unlike his brother, he takes after his father and plays on the defensive side of the ball in the secondary. In 2021 he earned second-team all-SWAC, and will look to compete for a starting role with the large group of transfers the Buffs took in this offseason.

Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice

Sep 24, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Rice Owls wide receiver Luke McCaffrey (10) celebrates with tight end Jack Bradley (87) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports — Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Ed McCaffrey

After starting his career as a quarterback at Nebraska, Luke McCaffrey found a new home and a new position. The younger brother of Christian McCaffrey and son of Broncos legend Ed McCaffrey is now a receiver at Rice where he absolutely shined for the Owls a year ago. He hauled in 58 catches for over 700 yards, and six touchdowns, and has proved to be quite the dynamic weapon.

Cole Pennington, QB, Marshall

Dec 18, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd helmet on an equipment cart on a time out against Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the first half of the 2021 New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports — Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Chad Pennington

A three-star quarterback out of the class of 2022, Cole followed in his fathers footsteps and will play his college ball at Marshall. He redshirted this past season seeing action in just the first game of the season. Heading into the 2023 season he will look to win the starting job.

Jackson Sirmon, LB, Cal

Nov 19, 2022; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears linebacker Jackson Sirmon (8) rushes Stanford Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee (18) during the third quarter at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. — Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Peter Sirmon

After a great career at Washington that saw him lead Washington in tackles a couple seasons ago, Jackson earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors. He opted to transfer to Cal prior to this past season where he is coached by his dad Peter who spent time in the NFL as a linebacker. He racked up over 100 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a pick this past season for Cal. He also is returning for what will be his sixth season in 2023.

Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Miss

Dec 17, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles running back Frank Gore Jr. (3) carries the ball during the Lending Tree Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert McDuffie-USA TODAY Sports — Robert McDuffie-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Frank Gore

Similar to his father, Frank Gore Jr. is a running back that gives defenses plenty of trouble when it comes to bringing him down. He can hurt you on the ground as he rushed for 1,382 yards last season with nine touchdowns on 6.1 yards-per-carry, caught 20 passes for over 200 yards, and he also threw for three touchdowns this past season. He has been generating a ton of NFL buzz this offseason.

Eden James, RB, Howard

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Edgerrin James

Another son of a running back that also plays running back, the younger James had a very productive season a year ago for the Bison. In his lone season at Howard he rushed for 400 yards and two touchdowns.

E.J. Smith, RB, Stanford

Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back E.J. Smith (22) during the first quarter against the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium. — Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Emmitt Smith

Keeping the trend going, E.J. Smith followed in his father's footsteps as a running back, but elected to go to Stanford instead of Florida. While he has the potential to be one of the best running backs out West, injuries have plagued his time at Stanford. He played in just two games last season before he went down with a season ending injury. In his two games last season he rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns on 6.9 yards per carry. He also added eight catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.

E.J. Warner, QB, Temple

Nov 12, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Temple Owls quarterback E.J. Warner (13) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports — Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Kurt Warner

The son of NFL legend Kurt Warner, E.J. Warner was one of the lone bright spots for the Owls this past season. The freshman quarterback threw for over 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. His performance this past season saw him win conference rookie of the year, and also impressed his father. Warner is looking to build off his strong freshman season in 2023.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. LB, Clemson

Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) tackles North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. — Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Jeremiah Trotter Sr.

Another father-son duo that played the same position, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. may be having more success at the college level than his old man. The Clemson standout very well could be the best linebacker in all of college football, and exploded this past season. He racked up 89 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and also had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a score.

Antonio Gates Jr., WR, Michigan State

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; View of a Michigan State Spartans helmet with streamers and confetti after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports — Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Antonio Gates

After redshirting during his first season in East Lansing, Antonio Gates Jr. is looking to carve out a role for himself in 2023. He did record a touchdown catch during the Spartans' spring game a couple months ago.

Brenden Rice, WR, USC

Apr 15, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Jerry Rice pose for a photo after the Spring Game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports — Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Jerry Rice

Brenden Rice has big shoes to fill being that he is one of maybe three or four players on this list whose father is the best to ever play their position. After a stint at Colorado he transferred to USC this past season, and was quite productive for the Trojans. He recorded a career high 39 catches for 611 yards, and also hauled in a career high four touchdowns.

Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

Jan 2, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; LSU Tigers tight end Mason Taylor (86) catches a pass against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports — Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Jason Taylor

A youngster that didn't follow in the footsteps of his father position wise, Mason Taylor sure made a name for himself this past season as a freshman. The younger Taylor hauled in 38 catches for over 400 yards and three touchdowns, with one of his catches being a game winning two point conversion against Alabama.

Christian Driver, DB, Penn State

Nov 19, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; A Penn State Nittany Lions helmet is seen with a sticker honoring the Virginia football players who were victims of a shooting on the University of Virginia campus, on November thirteenth 2022, during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports — Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Father: Donald Driver

Following his father being a star receiver in the NFL , Christian Driver is looking to make a name for himself as a member of the Penn State secondary. As a freshman this past season he appeared in four games.

Christian Harrison, DB, Tennessee

Tennessee defensive back Christian Harrison (29) tackled Akron wide receiver Shocky Jacques-Louis (18) during a game between Tennessee and Akron at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. — Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Father: Rodney Harrison

As a freshman Christian Harrison who like his father is a member of the secondary, played in eight games for the Volunteers. He recorded nine total tackles, and even added .5 a tackle for a loss.

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Apr 15, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) sprints down the side of the field during the first quarter of the Ohio State Buckeyes spring game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday morning. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch Football Ceb Osufb Spring Game Ohio State At Ohio State — Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch Football Ceb Osufb Spring Game Ohio State At Ohio State

Father: Marvin Harrison

Marvin Harrison Jr. and his father have their position in common, and they also could have the fact that they are first round draft picks in common too after this season barring an unforeseen issue. The younger Harrison is arguably the best player in college football regardless of position, and realistically could sit out the 2023 season and still be a top-10 pick in next year's NFL Draft. This past season he grabbed 77 passes for nearly 1,300 yards receiving, and 14 touchdowns. He is widely regarded as one of the best receiver talents that college football has seen in a decade if not longer.