With an early signing date approaching and the world of college football being transformed with all the changes to the senior coach, this recruiting class and process are characters worth watching.
So far, Oklahoma and Oregon have lost new recruits after Lincoln Riley and Mario Cristobal left Norman and Eugene for USC and Miami, respectively. Many of the Sooners’ previous engagements followed Riley to USC, though the same has yet to happen with Cristobal.
But as for the names of coaches on the move, there are some rookies with pretty big names – as a result of field production, who they are related to, or both.
Sporting News takes a look at some famous father and son couples present at the Class of 2022.
THAN: The biggest storylines to watch for National Signing Day
1. Cristian Driver, full-back
- Devoted: Penn State
- 247 General rankings: No. 18 DB nationwide, No. 37 in Texas
- Famous NFL Dads: Packers Donald Drive Wide Receiver
Like father like son, both Drivers are influential players on the pitch. Donald has spent his entire 13-year career with the Packers, scoring over 10,000 career yards in four Pro Bowls. Cristian, meanwhile, has played on both sides of the ball at a high level at Argyle Liberty Christian in Texas.
He won district-wide titles in high school and has added versatility that could prove to be an asset down the line, though he is expected to be a safety for the Nittany Lions.
Driving is part of a Penn State class that 247 currently ranks as number 5 for 2022.
2. Antonio Gates Jr., wide receiver
- Devoted: the state of Michigan
- 247 General rankings: No. 46 WR, number 9 player in Michigan
- Famous dads: Antonio Gates
Gates is getting younger, seemingly little by little prolific pass catcher his father was. Currently an extensive student at Dearborn Fordson High School, Gates Jr. is staying in the state and playing for Mel Tucker’s team after one of the best Spartan seasons in recent history.
Gates Sr. was one of the tightest endings in the sport’s history. He’s an all-time third for yards in tight ends, made eight consecutive Pro Bowls from 2004-11 and was named to the NFL All-Decade Team in the 2000s.
3. Eden James, run back
- Devoted: Howard
- 247 General rankings: Number 97 RB, number 176 players in Florida
- Famous dads: Edgerin James
The younger James can make a big splash and have a big ripple effect by choosing Howard. HBCU has struggled in recent times, but there have been five Black national championships in the show’s history. He explosion scene this year dashed to 2,021 yards and 28 touches in 12 games.
His father, one of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, played as a team in Miami before going on to lead the NFL in the race twice and win four nods for the Pro-Bowl.
Eden chose Howard over FBS schools like the Air Force, Army, Indiana and his father’s school, Miami.
4. Mason Taylor, tight ending
- Devoted: LSU
- 247 General rankings: Player No. 20 TE, No. 57 in Florida
- Famous dads: Jason Taylor
Another Hall of Famer son, Taylor committed to LSU under his previous coach, Ed Orgeron. He has missed much of his youth season through injury, but could become a key part of new coach Brian Kelly’s success when the offense is repeated against full-back Max Johnson in transfer portal. Johnson’s brother Jake, also a highly sought-after, committed to LSU but gave up after his brother entered the gate.
That move could pave the way for Taylor to soon uncover a larger role in the offense. LSU has also seen success in producing skill position players who continue to be successful in the NFL, including in the narrow end.
5. Christian Harrison, full-back
- Devoted: Tennessee
- 247 General rankings: Corner defender number 98, player number 103 in Florida
- Famous dads: Rodney Harrison
Harrison was previously committed to Hugh Freeze and Liberty but then moved to Tennessee earlier this month. Florida-based three-star Rodney, Harrison’s father, was a Pro-Bowl and All-Pro defensive back for the Chargers and Patriots throughout his NFL career.
The younger Harrison enjoyed success as a Florida senior played on both wings of the ball, committing to the Vols as a defensive back. He has had three picks and two defensive passes in 11 games this season at full-back and could be a welcome addition to the Team Volunteers defence, which ranks 103rd in passes. licensed.
6. Cole Pennington, full-back
- Devoted: Marshall
- 247 General Ranking: No. 83 QB, No. 12 player in Kentucky
- Famous dads: Chad Pennington
One of the few players who are following in their father’s footsteps by attending the same school, the Penningtons have long excelled at Marshall. Cole’s father, Chad, was a Heisman Trophy finalist for the Thundering Herd in 1999 and went on to be a first-round pick and two return NFL Player of the Year. He also finished second in the MVP vote in 2008 and became the NFL’s all-time leader in completion rate.
Cole, meanwhile was one of Kentucky’s best players and was coached by his father. He throws 1,624 yards with 17 touchdowns in nine games as a senior and could have a good opportunity to learn from the man behind current Marshall QB Grant Wells, who is one of the top passers. at the beginning of this year’s Conference-USA.
7. Owen McCown, full-back
- Devoted: Colorado
- 247 General rankings: QB number 48, player number 110 in Texas
- Famous dads: Josh McCown
McCown has put up impressive numbers as a senior this season, completing 262 of 388 passes (67.5%), along with 3,362 yards and 36 touchdowns down to just 4 touches. ball after only 12 games. It’s been a career year for young McCown, whose father Josh is the NFL’s cruise quarterback who has matched 12 teams as a substitute and kicked off his career right away.
Owen has had prolific numbers in one of the best high school football states in the nation, which could be a harbinger as he helps try and rehabilitate the Colorado foul that has struggled last season under Karl Dorrell.
8. RJ Maryland, tight end
- Devoted: Boston College
- 247 General rankings: Number 31 ATH, number 66 players in Texas
- Famous dads: Russell Maryland
Maryland comes from a Texas powerhouse in Southlake Carroll Senior High School. If it sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the same high school as Texas transfer and No. 1 pledge overall from 2021 quarterback Quinn Ewers.
He was a vertical threat in the passing game as a tight finisher as he moved for 1,103 yards and 14 touchdowns in 15 games as a senior. With BC midfielder Phil Jurkovec expected to return to full health, he could emerge as a major weapon down the line.
Maryland’s father, Russell, was the first to be picked out of Miami (FL) in 1991, where he was an all-American and two-time national champion. He went on to win three Super Bowls with the Cowboys as a defensive player and won the Pro Bowl in 1993.
9. AJ Vinatieri, the stone man
- Endow: Western Kentucky, Florida, Indiana, Miami (FL), Michigan
- 247 General rankings: N / A
- Famous dads: Adam Vinatieri
The son of one of the top scorers in NFL history, Vinatieri has received many offers from Power 5 schools but has yet to commit. He was voted All-State in Indiana for his performance this season as one of the state’s best special team players.
His father, Adam, attended FCS South Dakota State and went on to set several NFL records as a soccer pitcher, winning four Super Bowls and being named an All-Pro three times in his career. this progress.
10. Rex Haynes, wide receiver
- Endow: Arizona State, Colorado State, San Diego State, San Jose State
- 247 General rankings: No. 190 WR, No. 116 players in California
- Famous dads: Mike Haynes
Yet another of the Hall of Famer’s sons, Haynes, is a major threat to the wide receiver. His senior year at Cathedral Catholic, he had 24 548 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. He averaged 22.8 yards per catch as a senior and has averaged 25.5 yards per pick during his high school career.
His father, Mike Haynes, is a Pro and College Football Hall of Famer who has played for the Patriots and Raiders. He made nine Pro Bowls and was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1976 as a defensive linebacker out of Arizona State.
11. Elijah Warner, full-back
- Endow: UConn, Hawaii, Georgia Southern, Ball State
- 247 General Ranking: N / A
- Famous dads: Kurt Warner
Though Warner to date of signing doesn’t rank high, he’s put up impressive numbers this year as a senior in Texas. In 12 games, Warner completed 64.6% of his passes in 2,742 yards with 26 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
Warner’s father, Kurt, arguably one of the best untrained freelance agents in NFL history, made a Hall of Fame career after winning two MVPs, a Super Bowl and an award. Super Bowl MVP.
