The 2028 recruiting class is shaping up to be a star-studded group, and a big reason for that is the number of prospects with famous NFL fathers. Programs like Notre Dame have shown they value that DNA in a major way over the last several classes. F

or the general public, this is another opportunity to feel very old as we celebrate the future of college and professional football with last names we know well.

Here are some of the top legacy players in the 2028 recruiting class.

5-star prospects

Five-star wide receiver Jett Harrison from Saint Joseph’s Prep in Pennsylvania is the son of former Syracuse and Indianapolis Colts Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison. That also makes him the brother of Marvin Harrison Jr., who starred for the Ohio State Buckeyes before becoming a top-10 overall draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals. Harrison Jr. is hoping to have his breakout season going into Year 3 in 2026.

Five-star athlete Gaige Weddle is the son of former Utah and NFL Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle. Gaige is a standout for Rancho Bernardo in California. Listed as an athlete, he is being recruited by most college programs as a safety, although there is some quarterback intrigue around college football as well. Like his father, he is a gifted overall athlete who has an impact on both sides of the football.

Five-star wide receiver Jaylen Addai from Shadow Creek High School in Texas is the son of former LSU and Indianapolis Colts first-round running back Joseph Addai, who starred for the Tigers in the early 2000s. LSU has a lot of intrigue in Addai early on as a legacy recruit, but other programs like Notre Dame and some other powers in college football are pushing hard. He is a 6-foot, 170-pound wideout who excels after the catch and in space.

4-star prospects

Four-star athlete Grant Bowen from Immaculate Conception Catholic in Illinois is the son of former Iowa and NFL safety Matt Bowen. Grant is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound athlete who plays tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, and defensive end. There’s a long list of impressive programs pushing hard for him, with some viewing him on the defensive side of the football while others see him as a tight end at the college level. He’s a diverse athlete who can do a little bit of everything on the football field.

Xander Edwards, the son of former Notre Dame and NFL fullback Marc Edwards, is a record breaking running back for the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. The 6-2, 215-pound runner is considered a consensus four-star player and is being recruited by some of the heavy hitters in college football.

Talented wide receiver/cornerback Brayden Bailey from Holy Innocents in Georgia is the son of former Georgia All-American and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey. Some see Brayden as a cornerback at the college level, but he also has the ability to play wide receiver. That is a chip off the old block for those who remember Bailey’s time with the Georgia Bulldogs before his NFL career, when he also did a lot of work on the offensive side of the football. His son brings a similar skill set to the table, albeit in a smaller package.

Four-star quarterback Titus Huard from Valor Christian in Littleton, Colorado, is the son of former Washington Husky quarterback Brock Huard, who played for a long time in the NFL. He is also the nephew of Damon Huard, another NFL quarterback, and his brother Sam Huard played for the Washington Huskies as well. At 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Huard is a talented pocket passer whose NFL lineage pops on film.

Standout EDGE Quinn Jacobs from Blessed Trinity in Georgia is the son of Brandon Jacobs, whose other son Brayden also plays left tackle for the Clemson Tigers. Quinn is a gifted defender who has his dad’s combination of size and athleticism, making him a hot commodity on the recruiting trail.

Four-star offensive lineman Toa Feinga from Herriman High School in Utah is the son of Ray Feinga, who played at BYU and briefly in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins in 2010.

Star 2028 defensive lineman RJ Wyms is the son of former Mississippi State and longtime NFL defensive tackle Ellis Wyms. The younger Wyms plays for College Park in Texas, and at 6-foot-1, 255 pounds, he’s an undersized interior defensive lineman. That hasn’t stopped a large group of college programs from pushing hard for him.

Four-star cornerback Captain Munnerlyn Jr. is the son of the player of the same name who played at South Carolina and a long time in the NFL, including most of it with the Carolina Panthers. The younger Munnerlyn is a star for Williamson High School in Alabama. Like his father, he is a gifted defensive back who is considered a lean to the Gamecocks. However, several big-time programs are trying to pry him away from his lineage.

More names to know

Defensive end Brian Orakpo Jr. plays for Lake Travis High School in Texas. His father was a star with the Texas Longhorns before a long NFL career.

Running back Chris Davis III from Hewitt-Trussville in Alabama is the son of Chris Davis II. If you remember the kick six by Auburn against Alabama, that was Auburn cornerback Chris Davis. His son is an interesting athlete to keep a close eye on.

Three-star safety LeGarrette Blount Jr. from Mountain Pointe in Arizona is the son of the tremendous running back who starred at Oregon before a long NFL career. The younger Blount did not quite gain his father’s massive size and is now excelling on the back end of the defense.

Elite 2028 cornerback Keaton Fields from Hamilton, Arizona, is the son of Floyd Fields. His father played at Arizona State before being a fifth-round selection by the San Diego Chargers in 1991. Fields played three seasons, including 16 starts, for the Chargers in his short NFL career.

Wide receiver Rush Williams from Katy Jordan High School in Texas is the son of former Washington Husky wide receiver Reggie Williams, who was an All-American in the early 2000s and a first-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Talented wide receiver/defensive back Tramon Williams Jr. from Fort Bend Christian in Texas is the son of the longtime Green Bay Packers defensive back of the same name.

Athlete BJ LaFell from Shadow Creek in Texas is the son of former LSU wide receiver Brandon LaFell, who played several years in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers. His father was a big, athletic wide receiver who was a star for the Tigers earlier in the 2000s.

Athlete Jazz Lewis from Chamblee High School in Georgia is the son of former Tennessee Volunteer and Baltimore Ravens running back Jamaal Lewis, who also spent time with the Cleveland Browns. The elder Lewis ran for 2,000 yards in a season with Baltimore and was one of the more physically imposing runners of the 2000s.

Wide receiver Curtis McAllister is the son of former New Orleans Saints and Ole Miss running back Deuce McAllister. He plays at Metairie Park Country Day in Louisiana.

Defensive back Christian Wells is the son of former Ohio State running back Beanie Wells. He plays at Westerville North in Ohio, as does his brother CJ Wells, who is an athlete and defensive back.

Athlete Jaden Forte from Dunham High School in Louisiana is the son of former Tulane and Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte.

Quarterback/linebacker Daylen Tomlinson is the son of former TCU and San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson. The younger Tomlinson plays on both sides of the football for Oak Ridge High School in Texas.

Quarterback Brayden Tuiasosopo is the son of Marques Tuiasosopo, who was an outstanding quarterback for the University of Washington. He now plays for Manvell High School in Texas, as does his brother Bryce Tuiasosopo, who plays tight end and EDGE for the team. Brayden is committed to Army.

From St. Louis High School in Hawaii, running back Tenari Fuamatu-Ma’afala is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala.

Kicker Christian Klecko from Paul VI High School in New Jersey is the son of Dan Klecko, who played defensive line in the NFL and also played some fullback.

Logan Lokey is the son of Derek Lokey, who was a defensive tackle for the University of Texas and played two seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs. The younger Lokey now plays for Denton Guyer High School in Texas.

Baron Marinovich is the son of Todd Marinovich, the former USC quarterback who was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders. His son now plays for Costa Mesa High School in California. The 2028 class stretches across the country, and the sheer volume of NFL bloodlines makes it one of the more fascinating groups of legacy recruits in recent memory.