With the 2023 NFL Draft kicking off soon, it’s worth looking at the familial ties in this year’s draft class.
There are a handful of father-son connections in this year’s draft class, highlighted by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
We’ve seen some recent NFL players succeed at the next level who had famous fathers, like Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and and Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.
Let’s look at some of the prospects in this year’s draft who had fathers who played in the NFL. We’ll also look at other family ties in this year’s class.
CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
The most notable father-son connection in the 2023 NFL Draft is that between former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
The elder Porter won a Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2006 and was named to four Pro Bowls in his career. He’s a member of Pittsburgh’s All-Time Team and the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
Porter Jr. is a projected first-round pick and should continue his father’s NFL legacy.
WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs is the son of former New York Giants running back Gary Downs.
The elder Downs was drafted in the third round by the Giants out of NC State. He also played for the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons in his brief career.
Josh Downs’ uncle is former St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions cornerback Dré Bly, who also played and coached at North Carolina.
Bly won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2000 and is now the cornerbacks coach for the Lions.
CB Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford
Stanford cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly is the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brian Kelly.
The elder Kelly won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2003.
DT Dante Stills, West Virginia
West Virginia defensive tackle Dante Stills is the son of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Gary Stills.
The elder Stills also played at West Virginia while in college and made a Pro Bowl in 2003.
His other son, Darius Stills, also played for West Virginia and was an NFL undrafted free agent in 2021 who briefly spent time with the Chiefs in 2022.
OT Jaxson Kirkland, Washington
Washington offensive tackle Jaxson Kirkland is the son of former Buffalo Bills offensive guard Dean Kirkland.
The elder Kirkland won an AFC title with the Bills in 1992 and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos.
S Benny Sapp III, Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa safety Benny Sapp III is the son of former NFL cornerback Benny Sapp II, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins.
The elder Sapp also played college ball at Northern Iowa.
More Notable 2023 NFL Draft Family Ties
- TCU cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (above) is former Los Angeles Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson‘s nephew.
- Illinois safety Sydney Brown and running back Chase Brown are twins.
- Texas running back Bijan Robinson is the great nephew of former Cincinnati Bengals running back Paul Robinson.
- Northwestern guard/tackle Peter Skoronski is former Green Bay Packers tackle Bob Skoronski‘s grandfather.
- South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Wayne is former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne‘s nephew.
- LSU defensive end B.J. Ojulari is New York Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari‘s younger brother.
- USC defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu is the brother of Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Marlon Tuipulotu and the cousin of San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga.
- Marshall cornerback Steven Gilmore is Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore‘s younger brother.
- Indiana cornerback Tiawan Mullen is Baltimore Ravens cornerback Trayvon Mullen‘s younger brother and quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s cousin.
- Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig is Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Nate Herbig‘s younger brother.
- Oregon State cornerback Rejzohn Wright is Cowboys cornerback Nahshon Wright‘s younger brother.
- Penn State defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher is former Chicago Bears center Sam Mustipher‘s younger brother.
- Oklahoma punter Michael Turk is former NFL punter Matt Turk and former Raiders/Steelers offensive lineman Dan Turk‘s nephew.
- San Jose State defensive end Viliami Fehoko is the cousin of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea.
- Relatives of NFL coaches include Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave (longtime NFL assistant Bill Musgrave‘s nephew) and Baylor linebacker Dillon Doyle (Broncos tight ends coach Declan Doyle).
