LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, are on the cusp of making history by becoming the first father-son duo to share an NBA court. With LeBron staying with the Los Angeles Lakers this year, fans eagerly anticipate this unprecedented milestone following Bronny's recent draft-day selection. This event exemplifies the rising trend of familial legacies in professional sports.
The NFL's Dynastic Ties
In the NFL, family legacies continue to thrive with over a dozen active players boasting fathers who enjoyed remarkable careers. There are currently 16 future NFL prospects with direct ties to former greats, illustrating the enduring influence of football dynasties.
Deion Sanders, an eight-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame cornerback and return specialist, is now making a significant impact as Colorado's coach. His son, Shedeur Sanders, transferred to Colorado from Jackson State to play under his father's tutelage, further extending the Sanders legacy.
Similarly, another notable family connection can be seen with E.J. Warner. Transferring from Temple to Rice, E.J. is following in the footsteps of his father, Kurt Warner, who won two MVP awards and led the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl championship to conclude the 1999 season.
Youth to Watch: New Faces and Transfers
Other young players are forging their paths while carrying prestigious family names. Cole Pennington started three games for Marshall in 2023 as an injury replacement. His father, Chad Pennington, carved out a 12-year NFL career with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, earning the Comeback Player of the Year title twice.
Henry Hasselbeck, committed to UCLA after initially planning to attend Michigan State. He carries the legacy of his father, Matt Hasselbeck, who led the Seattle Seahawks from 2001-2010 and made three Pro Bowl appearances.
Eden James has emerged as a powerhouse at Howard, averaging more than five yards per carry in each of 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.
E.J. Smith, who transferred to Texas A&M from Stanford, follows the legacy of his father, Emmitt Smith. Emmitt Smith is the NFL's all-time leading rusher and played 13 of his 15 pro seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, winning three Super Bowl titles.
Antonio Gates Jr. made his college debut at Michigan State in 2023 as a redshirt freshman. His father, Antonio Gates, remains one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history, with 116 touchdown catches.
The New Generation of College Talent
Cristian Driver initially played as a defensive back at Penn State and has since converted to wide receiver with Minnesota. He is the son of Donald Driver, who enjoyed a prolific 14-year career with the Green Bay Packers, earning four Pro Bowl selections.
Mason Taylor, in his first two seasons at LSU, had at least 35 catches, reflecting the athletic prowess passed down from his father, Jason Taylor. Jason was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 after a 15-year career that included six Pro Bowl selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
Willis McGahee IV is a top-ranked outside linebacker prospect at Nebraska, carrying the legacy of his father, Willis McGahee III, who had an 11-season career as a running back.
The emerging talents also include Devan Kennedy making waves in the college football scene at Iowa. His father, Jimmy Kennedy, was a 2003 first-round draft pick who played nine NFL seasons.
Bryce Young has committed to Notre Dame, continuing the football tradition set by his father, Bryant Young. Bryant spent 14 years with the San Francisco 49ers, winning a Super Bowl and earning four Pro Bowl nods.
Christian Harrison is making his impact on special teams during his college career at Tennessee, inspired by the legacy of his father, Rodney Harrison, who won two Super Bowls over a 15-year career.
Shilo Sanders, another son of Deion Sanders, has transferred from Jackson State to Colorado, further perpetuating the Sanders family’s impressive sports lineage.
Kennedy Urlacher is establishing himself at Notre Dame, following in the footsteps of his father, Brian Urlacher, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 and was an eight-time Pro Bowler for the Chicago Bears.
Finally, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is making a name for himself as a highly regarded defensive back and return specialist at Alabama, carrying on the tradition of his father, Dre Kirkpatrick (Sr.), who played ten seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Bengals.
As these young athletes step into the limelight, they bring with them the weight of family legacy and the promise of new chapters in the storied histories of professional sports.