10 College Football Players With Famous Ex-NFL Fathers

The 2024–25 college football season officially began last weekend with Georgia Tech’s 24-21 victory over Florida State in Dublin, Ireland.

A full schedule of college football action begins next weekend, with many players having ties to former NFL greats.

Below are 10 college football players with famous former NFL fathers to keep an eye on this season:

10. Willis McGahee IV, Nebraska

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

McGahee IV has potential, now it's up to him to work to make it happen 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 in the offseason but decided to stay in East Lansing.

Gates Jr. had five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown last season, flashing his potential as a future starting point for 19-year-old QB prodigy Aidan Chiles and Michigan State this season and beyond.

8. Eden James, Howard

Eden James, the son of former Colts star Edgerrin James, ran for 627 yards for the Howard Bison in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference last season.

Eden James also recorded 13 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown on the Bisons' offense last season, displaying the pass-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 former Miami Dolphins star defensive end Jason Taylor.

Last season, he recorded 36 catches for 348 yards and a touchdown, becoming a reliable safety valve for Heisman winner Jayden Daniels.

This season, Mason Taylor could take his game to a new level as the Tigers' likely starting tight end.

6. Kennedy Urlacher, Notre Dame

Kennedy Urlacher, the son of legendary Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, is a three-star player in the class of 2024 who made the Fighting Irish's initial lineup as a reserve player ahead of Notre Dame's game against Texas A&M this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

5. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Sanders is a top Heisman Trophy candidate and potential top-five pick, and his grit and talent are already legendary in Boulder, Colorado, even after a 4-8 2023-24 season playing for his father and head coach Deion Sanders.

4. Shilo Sanders, Colorado

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

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

3. Moose Muhammad III, Texas A&M

Muhammad III, the son of former Carolina Panthers star Muhsin Muhammad, was a four-star recruit in the 2020 class of Myers Park High School in Charlotte, NC

Muhammad III, now a senior, set a career high with 610 receiving yards in 2022.

2. EJ Smith, Texas A&M

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

1. AJ Vinatieri, Louisville

AJ Vinatieri, the son of one of the best NFL kickers of all time, Adam Vinatieri, was not drafted 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.