Draft classes featuring descendants of prominent former NFL players are not uncommon.
However, the 2024 draft class is an exception.
This year's group of prospects includes two players whose fathers are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (and a third could be selected on the first ballot if eligible). In total, eight prospects have had fathers selected to at least one Pro Bowl (combined, the eight have an astonishing 39 Pro Bowl nominations). That's an incredible pedigree in the NFL coming into the league.
With that in mind, here's a breakdown of the 2024 draft prospects for players whose fathers played in the NFL, as well as those with (or currently have) siblings or other connections in the league.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State University
- Famous father: Marvin Harrison
- Where could he be drafted? Top 10 likely starting wide receivers selected
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It won't be easy to live up to the expectations of his father, who played the same position and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but Marvin Harrison Jr. has next-level route running, body control, and ball skills that make anyone I'm so jealous. Selecting a team at the top of the first round that doesn't need a quarterback right away. His father was a first-round pick (19th overall) in the 1996 draft and played 13 seasons in the NFL. He was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times, first team All-Pro three times, voted to the NFL's All-2000s team, and was a member of the Super Bowl 41 championship team, the Indianapolis Colts.
Joe Alto, OT, Notre Dame
- Famous father: john ort
- Where could he be drafted? The top 10 most likely starting offensive tackles will be selected.
Among the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2024 draft, Alto is clearly the top prospect. Alto is 6-foot-9 and weighs 321 pounds, adding to his massive size and athleticism. His father, John Alt, was a 6-foot-8 hulking man who played 13 seasons in the NFL, all with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a first-round pick (21st overall) in the 1984 NFL Draft and was selected to the Pro Bowl twice.
Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan State
- Famous father: Chris Jenkins
- Where could he be drafted? High possibility of being nominated on the second day
Jenkins could become the second former Michigan Wolverines player to be left out of this year's draft, following quarterback JJ McCarthy. In addition to his skill, Jenkins also brings the pedigree of being the son of a four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle. The eldest, Jenkins, was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft and played 10 seasons in the NFL.
Brenden Rice, WR, USC
- Famous father: jerry rice
- Where could he be drafted? Possible mid-round selection whose name may be called on Day 2
Do you think Marvin Harrison Jr. faces pressure to live up to his Hall of Fame father? Brenden Rice is the son of wide receiver GOAT Jerry Rice, perhaps the greatest NFL player of all time. For Brenden Rice, the football family ties run deep. His half-brother, Jerry Rice Jr., was a wide receiver who played at UCLA and UNLV. His younger brother, Qualen Cunningham, was a defensive end at Texas A&M. His stepfather, Rick Cunningham, was an offensive lineman who played eight seasons in the NFL.
Jonah Ellis, Delaware, Utah
- Famous father: luther ellis
- Where could he be drafted? Possible mid-round selection whose name may be called on Day 2
Jonah Ellis comes from a family full of football players. His brothers Christian Ellis and Noah Ellis are each on NFL rosters. Christian plays for the New England Patriots, and Noah is on the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad. Their father, Luther Ellis, was a standout defensive lineman in the NFL. A first-round pick (20th overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 1995 NFL Draft, Luther Ellis played 10 seasons in the NFL and was selected to the Pro Bowl twice. Jonah Ellis put on a high-octane game, and perhaps he'll have his NFL team interested in his potential as a pro.
Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
- Famous father: ed mccaffrey
- Where could he be drafted? Possibility of selection during the round
This is also a family full of soccer players. Brothers Christian and Max McCaffrey each have NFL experience, and Christian is currently one of the most exciting players in the league. Their father, Ed McCaffrey, was selected in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He played primarily as a reserve (earning a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers in 1994) before starring for the Denver Broncos, where he recorded three 1,000-yard seasons, earned a Pro Bowl berth, and won two Super Bowls. won twice. Luke McCaffrey projects to be a slot receiver in the NFL.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
- Famous father: Jeremiah Trotter
- Where could he be drafted? Possibility of selection during the round
Philadelphia Eagles icon Jeremiah Trotter, nicknamed “The Axeman,” played 11 seasons in the NFL and was selected to the Pro Bowl four times after being selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. . Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was a first-team All-ACC selection, a finalist for the Butkus Award (awarded to college football's best linebacker), and is the kind of tackling machine NFL teams covet on their rosters. was.
Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Miss
- Famous father: frank gore
- Where could he be drafted? Potential late-round selection or preferred free agent
Frank Gore played so long that he almost entered the league at the same time as his son (LeBron James in the NBA is aiming to do the same with his son Bronny). Gore played 16 seasons (2005-2020) in the NFL after being a third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 draft, joining Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton on the league's all-time rushing yards list. Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Jerome Bettis, Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Jim Brown… to name a few more Hall of Famers? ). Although his overall speed is questionable, Frank Gore Jr. will at least be in training camp with some NFL team.
Javon Foster, Otto, Missouri
- Famous father: Jerome Foster
- Where could he be drafted? Possibility of selection during the round
Javon Foster, a team captain and durable player who was named first-team All-SEC in 2023, is the type of player who could stick on the 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. is a prospective customer. His father, Jerome Foster, was a fifth-round pick of the Houston Oilers in the 1983 draft and played five seasons in the NFL as a defensive end.
Jalen Harrell, Delaware, Michigan
- Famous father: james harrell
- Where could he be drafted? Possibility of late round selection
Jalen Harrell is one of the many Michigan players who could hear their name called during the 2024 NFL Draft. A surprising 18 Wolverines were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Edge rusher Jalen Harrell was among those 18. His father, James Harrell, played eight seasons (1979-1987) in the NFL, mostly in a reserve role for the Detroit Lions. That appears to be his son's potential NFL role as well.
Drake Nugent, C, Michigan
- Famous father: terry nugent
- Where could he be drafted? Potential late-round selection or preferred free agent
After playing two seasons at Stanford University, Drake Nugent took to the transfer portal to join the University of Michigan, where he was named to the All-Big 1 first team and won the Rimington Trophy (awarded to college football's top center). Became a finalist. His father, Terry Nugent, was a quarterback drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 1984 draft. He played in one NFL game as a member of the Indianapolis Colts during the 1987 NFLPA strike.
Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas
- Famous father: arthur whittington
- Where could he be drafted? Potential late-round selection or preferred free agent
Although not as famous as Longhorns teammates Adonai Mitchell (projected first-round pick) or Xavier Worthy, who had a 40-yard dash time at the combine, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Whittington was an impactful addition to the team. A lightning bolt worthy of Mitchell. His father, Arthur Whittington, was a running back drafted in the seventh round in 1978 by the Oakland Raiders, and he was a member of the team that won 15 Super Bowls.
Draft prospects with NFL brothers
- Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State University — Liam Eichenberg, OT, Miami Dolphins
- Jonah Ellis, Delaware, Utah — Kayden Ellis, LB, Atlanta Falcons.Christian Ellis, LB, New England Patriots
- Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice — Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers. Max McCaffrey, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (2017), San Francisco 49ers (2018)
- Max Melton, CB, Rutgers — Bo Melton, WR, Green Bay Packers
- Patrick Paul, OT, Houston — Chris Paul, G, Washington Commander
- Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M — Maurice Smith, S, former Miami Dolphins (2017-18), Washington Commanders (2019)
Draft prospects with other relatives who played in the NFL
- Ryan Cooper Jr., CB, Ohio State University — Cousin CB Nashon Wright, played three seasons in the NFL (2021-23) with the Dallas Cowboys
- Audric Estim, RB, Notre Dame — Cousin DE Terrence Fedde, four seasons in the NFL (2014-17)
- Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee — Cousin WR Anquan Boldin, 14 seasons in the NFL (2003-2016), 3-time Pro Bowler
- Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia — Uncle LB Kevin Hardy, nine seasons in the NFL (1996-2004), second overall pick in 1996 draft
- Jacob Monk, C, Duke — Uncle LB Quincy Monk, three seasons in the NFL (2002-2004)
- Luke Oloholohoro, DT, Clemson — Cousin CB Michael Ojemudia, 3 seasons in the NFL (2020-22)
- Josh Proctor, S, Ohio State — Uncle Patrick Collins, one season in the NFL (1988)
- Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU —Cousins OT Penei Sewell, 2021 first-round pick, 2023 All-Pro first team. LB Noah Sewell, Chicago Bears 2023 Rookie
- Trey Taylor, S, Air Force — Cousin Ed Reed, 13 seasons in the NFL (2002-2013), five-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl winner, Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson — Cousin RB Terrence Ganaway, one season in the NFL (2012)
- Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State — FB Uncle Harold Morrow, 10 seasons in the NFL (1996-2005)
