10 college football players with famous ex-NFL fathers

The 2024-25 college football season officially got underway this past weekend with Georgia Tech’s 24-21 win over Florida State in Dublin, Ireland. 

A full slate of college football action is set to begin this coming weekend, featuring many players with ties to ex-NFL greats. 

The following are 10 college football players with famous ex-NFL fathers to keep an eye on this season: 

10. Willis McGahee IV, Nebraska

The son of former Miami Hurricanes and Buffalo Bills star running back Willis McGahee, McGahee IV was a three-star high school prospect from the Class of 2024. 

McGahee IV has potential, now it’s up to him to work on actualizing it with Matt Rhule’s Cornhuskers. 

9. Antonio Gates Jr., Michigan State

Gates Jr. was brought into the Spartans’ program by former coach Mel Tucker. He thought long and hard about entering the transfer portal this offseason, but decided to stick around in East Lansing. 

Gates Jr. had five receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown last season, flashing potential as a future go-to guy for 19-year-old QB prodigy Aidan Chiles and Michigan State this season and beyond. 

8. Eden James, Howard

The son of ex-Colts star Edgerrin James, Eden James put up 627 yards rushing for the Howard Bison last season in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. 

Eden James also had 13 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown in the Bison’s offense last season, showing off the kind of receiving skills that made his famous father one of the most versatile running backs in NFL history. 

7. Mason Taylor, LSU

Taylor is the son of ex-Miami Dolphins star defensive end Jason Taylor. 

He put up 36 catches for 348 yards and a touchdown last season, becoming a dependable safety valve for Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. 

This season, Mason Taylor could take his game to new heights with the Tigers as the team’s expected starting tight end. 

6. Kennedy Urlacher, Notre Dame

The son of the Chicago Bears’ legendary linebacker Brian Urlacher, Kennedy Urlacher is a Class of 2024 three-star who cracked the Fighting Irish’s initial depth chart as a third-stringer leading up to Notre Dame’s game vs. Texas A&M this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

5. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

A top Heisman candidate and potential top-five pick, Sanders’ bravado, and talent confidence are already legendary in Boulder, Colo., even after a 4-8 season in 2023-24 playing for his father and head coach Deion Sanders. 

4. Shilo Sanders, Colorado

A star safety for the Buffaloes, Shilo Sanders had four forced fumbles, 54 solo tackles and an interception that he returned 80 yards for a touchdown last season. 

Shilo Sanders is just scratching the surface of his potential and could vault up NFL Draft boards with a strong season for Deion Sanders’ team this season. 

3. Moose Muhammad III, Texas A&M

The son of former Carolina Panthers star Muhsin Muhammad, Muhammad III was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2020 out of Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C. 

Now a senior, Muhammad III had a career-high 610 receiving yards in 2022.

2. EJ Smith, Texas A&M

Emmitt’s Smith son headed to College Station from Stanford this offseason in the transfer portal. After three years of 250 rushing yards per season or less, Smith has a chance to stake his claim as an NFL-caliber talent in the SEC this season.

1. AJ Vinatieri, Louisville

The son of one of the best NFL kickers of all time, Adam Vinatieri, AJ Vinatieri redshirted in 2022 and did not play in 2023. 

He is expected to play behind established senior kicker Brock Travelstead this season, giving him plenty of time to develop before following in his famous father’s footsteps.