Peyton Manning, Christian McCaffrey headline best sons of former NFL players

As the son of NFL Hall of Fame defensive back, and newly hired Jackson State football coach, Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders will garner a lot of attention this year as the progeny of a former professional football player. The question is, will he some day find at place on MaxPreps' All-Time Sons of NFL Players team.

Made up of current and former NFL standouts like Peyton Manning, Christian McCaffrey, Bruce Matthews and the Bosa brothers, Nick and Joey, the team has only one qualifying criteria — the father had to play at least one game in the NFL. For most of the players, these fathers played multiple pro seasons and had impressive careers of their own. Among the best fathers include Ed Budde, Howie Long and Bruce Matthews.

Matthews, and his brother Clay Jr., have the distinction of being on the team as a son as well as a father. Bruce's son Jake is along side him on the offensive line while Clay III joins his father at linebacker. The only other brother tandem is the Bosa brothers, who make up half of the defensive line.

Shedeur Sanders of Trinity Christian Academy (Cedar Hills, Texas) is one of several sons of NFL players currently playing at the high school level. The short list includes Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. of St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), and Sam Huard of Kennedy Catholic (Burien, Wash.)
All-Time Sons of NFL Players Team

Father: Robert Woods Sr.
Notes: Robert Jr. was a high school All-American and has played eight years in the NFL. Robert Sr. played two seasons in the NFL during the 1970s.

WR — DK Metcalf, Oxford (Miss.)
Father: Terrence Metcalf
Notes: DK was a breakout star as a rookie in the NFL in 2019. Terrence was an All-American in college at Mississippi and played seven years in the NFL as a guard.



TE — Dan Graham, Thomas Jefferson (Denver)
Father: Tom Graham
Notes: Dan has won two Super Bowls with the Patriots. Tom was a linebacker who played seven seasons during the 1970s.

OL — Max Starks, Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.)
Father: Ross Browner
Notes: Max is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers. Ross was a two-time All-American defensive lineman at USC and played nine years in the NFL.

OL — Brad Budde, Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.)
Father: Ed Budde
Notes: Brad played seven years in the NFL and was a college All-American at USC. Ed was a member of the All-Time AFL Team and played 14 years for the Chiefs.

OL — Kyle Long, St. Anne's-Belfield (Charlottesville, Va.)
Father: Howie Long
Notes: Kyle is a three-time Pro Bowl player with the Bears. Howie was a Hall of Fame defensive lineman for the Raiders.

OL — Bruce Matthews, Arcadia (Calif.)
Father: Clay Matthews Sr.
Notes: Bruce played 19 years in the NFL, made 14 Pro Bowls and is in the Hall of Fame. Clay Sr. played four seasons with the 49ers at defensive tackle.

OL — Jake Matthews, Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City, Texas)
Father: Bruce Matthews
Notes: Jake was a college and high school All-American and made the Pro Bowl with the Falcons. Bruce is a Hall of Fame offensive lineman with the Oilers.



QB — Peyton Manning, Newman (New Orleans)
Father: Archie Manning
Notes: Peyton is a five-time NFL MVP and 14-time Pro Bowl player. Archie made two Pro Bowls during his 14-year career as quarterback.

RB — Christian McCaffrey, Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Father: Ed McCaffrey
Notes: In just his fourth season, Christian has already twice earned All-Pro honors. Ed won three Super Bowls in his 13-year career as a wide receiver.

RB — Marion Barber III, Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.)
Father: Marion Barber Jr.
Notes: Marion III made one Pro Bowl in his seven-year NFL career. Marion Jr. played seven years in the NFL at running back.

KR — Eric Metcalf, Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.)
Father: Terry Metcalf
Notes: Eric was a three-time All-Pro kick returner. Terry was a three-time Pro Bowl running back with the Cardinals in the 1970s.

Father: Howie Long
Notes: Chris won two Super Bowls and had 70 career sacks. Howie had 84 career sacks in 13 seasons.

DL — Geno Atkins, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Father: Gene Atkins
Notes: Geno has made eight Pro Bowls in 11 NFL seasons. Gene played safety for 10 seasons and had 25 career interceptions.



DL — Joey Bosa, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Father: John Bosa
Notes: Joey was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 and has made two Pro Bowls. John played three seasons with the Dolphins in the 1980s.

DL — Nick Bosa, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Father: John Bosa
Notes: Nick was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and made the Pro Bowl. John was a first-round pick at defensive line for the Dolphins.

LB — Ahmad Brooks, Hylton (Woodbridge, Va.)
Father: Perry Brooks
Notes: Ahmad was the national high school defensive player of the year in 2001 and played 12 seasons in the NFL. Perry played eight years at defensive tackle for the Redskins.

LB — Clay Matthews III, Agoura (Calif.)
Father: Clay Matthews Jr.
Notes: Clay III has made six Pro Bowls and has 91.5 career sacks. Clay Jr. made four Pro Bowls in 19 NFL seasons.

LB — Clay Matthews Jr., New Trier (Winnetka, Ill.)
Father: Clay Matthews Sr.
Notes: Clay Jr. is a member of the 1980s All-Decade Team. Clay Sr. has four grandsons who have played in the NFL.

DB — Jairus Byrd, Clayton (St. Louis)
Father: Gil Byrd
Notes: Jairus made three Pro Bowls in nine seasons. Gil had 42 interceptions in 10 NFL seasons.



DB — Shawn Springs, Springbrook (Silver Spring, Md.)
Father: Ron Springs
Notes: Shawn made one Pro Bowl in 13 NFL seasons. Ron played running back for six seasons with the Cowboys.

DB — Jamal Adams, Hebron (Carrollton, Texas)
Father: George Adams
Notes: Jamal has made two Pro Bowls in three NFL seasons. George played running back for seven seasons.

DB — Chris McAllister, Pasadena (Calif.)
Father: James McAlister
Notes: Chris made three Pro Bowls in 11 seasons. James was a high school All-American and played three seasons in the NFL at running back.