2017 NFL draft features 9 famous sons, including Hardy Nickerson and Barry Sanders

The 2017 NFL draft is upon us, and some of the names you hear throughout the three days might sound familiar. This year, there are at least nine sons of former NFL players in the mix, including Barry Sanders Jr., Christian McCaffrey, and Hardy Nickelson Jr. The group includes a talented list of fathers, some of whom were Pro Bowlers, along with one Hall of Famer.

Oh, and there’s one brother of an NFL Pro Bowler, too

(Thanks to NFL.com for its list of college football players with former NFL player fathers.)

LB Hardy Nickerson Jr., Illinois: Nickerson Jr. began his career at Cal, where he played for three seasons and accounted for 246 total tackles. After his junior season, he transferred to Illinois to play under his father, Nickerson Sr., whom Lovie Smith hired last spring. He also played for his father during his last two years of high school. Nickerson enjoyed a 16-year career in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Green Bay Packers. He made it on five Pro Bowl rosters.

RB Barry J. Sanders Jr., Oklahoma State: Sanders Jr.’s career started at Stanford, where he rushed for 672 yards and seven touchdowns. Following teammate Christian McCaffrey’s NCAA single-season all-purpose record of 3,496 yards in 2015, Sanders Jr. transferred to Oklahoma State, his father’s alma mater. Ironically, the record McCaffrey broke belonged to the elder Sanders.

Oh, and let’s not forget this run by Sanders Jr. at Stanford that looked eerily similar to a run his father had.

DL Bryan Cox Jr., Florida: Bryan Cox played in the NFL for 12 seasons, spending five of them with the Miami Dolphins. He spent the last three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons coaching the defensive line, but was dismissed following the Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots. Cox Jr. finished his three-year career at Florida with 98 total tackles.

WR Zay Jones, ECU: Jones finished as the FBS’ all-time leader in receptions with 399. His father, linebacker Robert Jones, also played at ECU and was taken in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys in 1990. He spent four years there during his 10-year NFL career.

RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford: McCaffrey put his name in the history books during his three seasons with the Cardinal. The Heisman finalist’s father, wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, played at Stanford as well. He was taken in the third round by the New York Giants in 1991. His pro career grew in Denver, though, where he had three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 1998-2000.

Out of this list, the player expected to be drafted the highest out this list is McCaffrey, who’s ranked third in SB Nation’s running back rankings behind Florida State’s Dalvin Cook and LSU’s Leonard Fournette.

DT Darius Hamilton, Rutgers: Hamilton started in 24 games during his sophomore and senior years at Rutgers, and he totaled he totaled 166 tackles over his career. His father, Keith Hamilton, had a career as a defensive lineman for 12 seasons in the league, all with the New York Giants.

OT Zach Banner, USC: Zach’s dad, Lincoln Kennedy, played 11 seasons in the league with the Atlanta Falcons and the Oakland Raiders. He had Pro Bowl seasons wth Oakland in 2000 and 2002. Zach made 23 starts during his Trojan career.

OL Kyle Kalis, Michigan: Kalis had four successful years at Michigan, earning 43 starts at right guard. His father, fellow offensive lineman Todd Kalis, spent seven years in the NFL, the first five with the Minnesota Vikings.

WR Jamir Tillman , Navy: Tillman saw playing time even as a true freshman. He finished with 1,626 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. Tillman’s father, Cedric, played four seasons in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos from 1992-1996. He finished his NFL career with 1,227 yards and seven touchdowns.

T.J. Watt, Wisconsin: Watt isn’t the son of a former NFL player, but he’s the younger brother of first-round NFL draft pick and Houston Texan defensive end J.J. Watt. Over two seasons with the Badgers, he played in 25 games and recorded 63 total tackles.