How many times have you been at a college football game, seen a familiar name on a player’s back and asked yourself, “I wonder if he’s related to so-and-so…”?
Chances are, he is.
With current college football players carrying last names like Flutie, Rice, Montana and Simms, there are tons of them living in the shadow of their famous dad, brother, cousin or uncle – and drawing attention with whatever they do.
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So in an exhaustive search, we tracked down the most notable college football kin to fill you in on their college careers.
Editor’s Notes:
1. This list could hypothetically go on forever. But feel free to submit any omissions by e-mailing us at lostlettermen@gmail.com – we’ll post the best ones.
2. Click on the hyperlinks of the former players to see “Where Are They Now?”
3. This list does not include players that are ONLY brothers of other current players or coaches’ sons.
Billy Flutie (Boston College)
• Nephew of Doug Flutie (Boston College)
• Nephew of Darren Flutie (Boston College)
A WR for the Eagles, Flutie only has three catches on the season. But two of them were for touchdowns, including one against Northeastern with Uncle Doug and Uncle Darren in the stands.
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Jerry Rice Jr. (UCLA)
• Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State)
Just 5-10 and 180 pounds, the 3-star recruit with the baby face walk-on in Westwood this fall. He has yet to see game action but pops is convinced “he has a chance” to play in the NFL. He could be a bit biased…
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Nate Montana (Pasadena City College)
• Son of Joe Montana (Notre Dame)
We normally only do FBS schools, but Nate transferred from Notre Dame to this JuCo in July with hopes of gaining experience, then transferring back to South Bend to compete for the 2010 starting job – which could be tough unless Jimmy Clausen goes pro.
Unfortunately, Nate doesn’t even start for the Lancers. But it looks like “practicing” is SoCal has its perks. His brother Nick made headlines in June by committing to Washington.
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Taylor Mays (USC)
• Son of Stafford Mays (Washington)
Mays broke Husky hearts everywhere by picking USC over dad’s alma mater, where Stafford was a DL. The one game he’s missed in four years at SC was a 16-13 loss in Seattle this year.
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Eric Berry (Tennessee)
• Son of James Berry (Tennessee)
The nation’s other uber-safety followed in his father’s footsteps to Knoxville. If it looks like Eric moves like a running back, maybe that’s because James led the team in rushing for two years (1980, 1981).
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Duron Carter (Ohio State)
• Son of Cris Carter (Ohio State)
All his dad did was catch touchdowns; Duron snagged his first as a Buckeye three weeks ago against Indiana. He is already OSU’s third receiver as a true freshman.
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T-Bob Hebert (LSU)
• Son of Bobby Hebert (Northwestern State)
Hebert’s a very beloved name in Cajun Country, especially now that T-Bob is the Tigers’ starting center. And what better way to learn the position than hiking the ball to an NFL quarterback in your back yard?
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Cameron Heyward (Ohio State)
• Son of Craig “Ironhead” Heyward (Pittsburgh)
Son of the late running back and Zest bodywash spokesman, Cameron is part of Ohio State’s stout D-line and has three sacks this year.
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Jessie Hester Jr. (USF)
• Cousin of Devin Hester (Miami)
• Son of Jessie Hester (Florida State)
Well, he might be Devin Hester’s cousin. Either way, Jessie Sr. was a standout receiver for the ‘Noles before playing in the NFL and USFL. A dynamite WR, Hester Jr. has played only his senior year due to a hamstring injury.
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Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)
• Brother of Casey Clausen (Tennessee)
• Brother of Rick Clausen (LSU and Tennessee)
Both older brothers started for the Vols, but Jimmy made national headlines by committing to Charlie Weis as the nation’s No. 1 recruit. He struggled for two years with a subpar offense but now has emerged as a 2009 Heisman favorite.
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Jared Green (Virginia)
• Darrell Green (Texas A&M-Kingsville)
With a name like Green it’s easy to fly under the radar but, yes, he’s the Hall of Famer’s son. The sophomore WR’s got a couple inches on his old man. He has 10 catches so far in his sophomore campaign; not bad considering Darrell wouldn’t let him play football until 9th grade.
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Mikhail Marinovich (Syracuse)
• Brother of Todd Marinovich (USC)
• Son of Marv Marinovich (USC)
Todd was recently detailed in an Esquire article and Marv was once rated the 2nd worst sports dad on ESPN.com. Mikhail, has 13 tackles so far this season as a DE but is best known for starting his own Hookah Bar on The Hill and breaking into a sports equipment room.
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Stefen Wisniewski (Penn State)
• Son of Leo Wisniewski (Penn State)
• Nephew of Steve Wisniewski (Penn State)
Uncle Steve went to 8 Pro Bowls as a guard, but dad Leo was no slouch either as a defensive lineman and captain of the 1981 squad. Stefen is the Lions’ starting center for Darryl Clark.
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Klint Kubiak (Colorado State), Klay Kubiak (Colorado State), Klein Kubiak (Rice)
• Sons of Gary Kubiak (Texas A&M)
Kubiak loves those Ks. Growing up in Denver as dad backed up John Elway, both Klint and Klay headed to Fort Collins to play for the Rams – Klint is a safety who is second on the team in tackles, while Klay is a backup quarterback. Youngest son Klein is a freshman WR for the Owls.
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Nick Toon (Wisconsin)
• Son of Al Toon (Wisconsin)
A true sophomore starter, Toon has 46 career receptions as a Badger – a mere 206 behind dad, who went on to star for the Jets.
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Casey Matthews (Oregon)
• Son of Clay Matthews (USC)
• Brother of Clay Matthews III (USC)
The elder Clay was an Iron Man that played 19 seasons in the NFL. Clay III (left) was a first round pick of the Packers last spring. Casey looks like he’ll be in the league soon; the junior LB leads the Ducks in tackles.
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Matt Simms (El Camino CC)
• Son of Phil Simms (Morehead State)
• Brother of Chris Simms (Texas)
Another JuCo exception: Simms transferred from Louisville to El Camino Community College in California this year but is looking to get back in the FBS. He’s getting serious looks from Lane Kiffin and Tennessee.
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Adam James (Texas Tech)
• Son of Craig James (SMU)
Craig was part of SMU’s “Pony Express” with Eric Dickerso, forming one of the best college backfields ever; he’s now an ESPN college football analyst. Adam has 25 career receptions as a sophomore tight end in Mike Leach’s pass-happy offense.
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Javarris James (Miami)
• Cousin of Edgerrin James (Miami)
“Baby J” hasn’t lived up to his freshman year hype, but looked like the old No. 5 when he piled up 150 yards against Oklahoma in the Oct. 3 victory.
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Mike Golic Jr. (Notre Dame)
• Son of Mike Golic (Notre Dame)
The son of the “Mike and Mike” host is a backup sophomore center for Charlie Weis.
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Cody Grimm (Virginia Tech)
• Son of Russ Grimm (Pittsburgh)
Son of a former “Hog” on the Redskins offensive line and current Cardinals O-line coach, Cody (below, center) brings the same hard-nosed attitude at LB with 50 tackles this season. He’s also a star on Frank Beamer’s legendary special teams.
Brett Warren, Beau Warren (Virginia Tech)
• Sons of Don Warren (San Diego State)
The Hokies are so loaded with former Redskins that the Washington Post even did a story on it. Warren was a “Hog” like Grimm. Brett (above, left) starts at LB alongside Cody Grimm and Beau (above, right) is Tyrod Taylor’s center.
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Coley White (West Virginia)
• Brother of Pat White (West Virginia)
A backup redshirt freshman now, Coley will have stiff competition for the starting job next year against Parade All-American Eugene Smith.
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Desmond Trufant (Washington)
• Brother of Marcus Trufant (Washington State)
Trufant passed on Pullman for Seattle, where his Pro Bowl brother stars for the Seahawks. Desmond starts as a freshman corner and take a lateral to the house vs. Notre Dame.
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Malcolm Smith (USC)
• Brother of Steve Smith (USC)
Sibling of the Giants WR, Malcolm stars at LB alongside Chris Galippo and Michael Morgan on one of the country’s best defenses.
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Darian Hagan Jr. (Cal)
• Son of Darian Hagan (Colorado)
The elder Hagan led Colorado to a share of the 1990 national title and is now a Buffs assistant. Darian Jr. is a starting corner for the Bears.
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Davin Meggett (Maryland)
• Son of Dave Meggett (Towson)
The former Giants return man has been embattled with sexual assault charges of late but his sophomore son is off to a good start at College Park. He’s carried the ball 50 times this season for 3 TDs.
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T.C. McCartney (LSU)
• Son of Sal Aunese (Colorado)
As recently profiled by ESPN, T.C. is the grandson of former Colorado coach Bill McCartney and son of ex-Buffs QB Sal Aunese, who tragically passed away 20 years ago from stomach cancer.
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Tre’ Newton (Texas)
• Son of Nate Newton (Florida A&M)
A three-time Super Bowl champ, Nate is a born-again Christian after serving time in federal prison. A redshirt freshman, Tre was named the Longhorns’ starting running back against UTEP but suffered a concussion in that game and hasn’t played since.
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Greg Lloyd Jr. (Connecticut)
• Son of Greg Lloyd (Fort Valley State)
Greg was a 5-time Pro Bowler and the heart of the Steelers defense. Like his father, Jr. wears No. 95 and is eating up the middle right now for the Huskies, totaling 25 tackles the last two games.
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Zac Lee (Nebraska)
• Son of Bob Lee (Pacific)
Lee was the Huskers’ starting QB but could soon be second string after a dreadful performance vs. Texas Tech on Saturday. Bob served as Fran Tarkenton’s backup for the Vikings during the 1970s.
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LaTravis Washington (Nebraska)
• Brother of Fabian Washington (Nebraska)
A third-string QB behind Lee and Cody Green, his brother Fabian is currently on the Ravens.
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David Posluszny (Notre Dame)
• Brother of Paul Posluszny (Penn State)
The brother of 2005 Butkus Award winner – and current Buffalo Bill – passed over Happy Valley for South Bend, where the sophomore has one tackle this season.
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Justin Tuggle (Boston College)
• Son of Jessie Tuggle (Valdosta State)
The redshirt freshman started the season opener but lost the job to 25-year old Dave Shinskie in Week 3.
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Matt Kalil (USC)
• Son of Ryan Kalil (USC)
The redshirt freshman is a backup lineman while his brother stars for the Carolina Panthers.
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Marc Tyler (USC)
• Son of Wendell Tyler (UCLA)
Son of “The Truth”, Marc heated crosstown to arch-rival USC. Unfortunately, the highly-touted RB could be out for the year with a toe injury.
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Deonte Jackson (Idaho)
• Cousin of Steven Jackson (Oregon State)
After leading the team in rushing last season, he’s splitting carries in ’09. But Jackson isn’t complaining. The Vandals are off to a 6-1 start after going just 2-10 last season. Meanwhile, his cousin’s “Lambs” are 0-6.
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John Bruhin Jr. (Marshall)
• Son of John Bruhin (Tennessee)
The sophomore O-lineman is a backup for the Thundering Herd.
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Devon Kennard (USC)
• Son of Derek Kennard (Nevada)
The super-recruit is already playing heavy minutes as a true freshman DE for No. 4 USC.
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Lee Smith (Marshall)
• Son of Daryle Smith (Tennessee)
After starting at Tennessee, the tight end transferred to Marshall; he has four receptions in ’09.
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Hat tip: Poster dpw1717 of operationsports.com
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READER SUBMISSIONS
“Mark Ingram Jr., who is the leading rusher for Alabama this year, is the son of Mark Ingram (Michigan State)” — Keith (Editor’s Note: How did we miss that one?!)
“Michael Carter, true freshmen cornerback for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, is the cousin of Tyrone Carter, former Gophers defensive back, 1999 Thorpe Award winner, and current Pittsburgh Steeler.” — Chris
“John Jerry (Ole Miss), brother of Peria Jerry (Ole Miss) first round draft pick from last year to the Atlanta Falcons.” — Will
“Stanford QB Andrew Luck is the son of former WVU and Houston Oilers QB, Oliver Luck.” — Randy
“Former Husker Ahman Green is the uncle of Nebraska WR Niles Paul” — HuskerBob
“Brandon Taylor (Purdue). Son of Lawrence Taylor (North Carolina; NY Giants; NFL Hall of Fame)” — Andy (Editor’s Note: Brandon’s nickname is “BLT”)
“Matt Harris, starting safety for the Arkansas Razorbacks, is the son of former Dallas Cowboy safety, Cliff Harris.” — Christian
“Hunter Bates (backup NU S) – father (Bill) played for Dallas.” — Jonathan
“Clifton Geathers (South Carolina) is the younger brother of Robert Geathers (Georgia/ Bengals) and nephew of Jumpy Geathers” — Tee
“Max Hall of BYU is the nephew of ASU’s Danny White, later with the Cowboys” — Coug24812
“(Baylor’s) Chris Francis, son of All-American linebacker James Francis drafted in the first round by the Bengals and nephew of Ron Francis, Dallas Cowboys super bowl champion. Matt Singletary….I don’t even have to say who his dad is.” — Bradley
“Jarvis Geathers of UCF – son of “Jumpy” Geathers from the Redskins” — TC
“UCLA’s Kyle and Korey Bosworth, nephews of The Boz.” — C. Sizzle
“Arizona kicker Alex Zendejas, nephew of ASU and Cowboys K Luis Zendejas.” — Brian Malone
“Washington State TE Tony Thompson, son WSU QB Jack Thompson – The Throwin’ Samoan” — Aaron T.
“Ben Guidugli, Cincy’s TE, is the younger brother of former UC QB Gino Guidugli. Go Cats!” – Duaner S.
“Alabama kicker Lee Tiffin is the son of Alabama great Van Tiffin, hero of the ’85 Iron Bowl vs. Auburn.” – RamJam2
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