NEW YORK -- Every year, many players join the National Football League from families rich in athletic tradition. Here is a sampling of draft prospects who had family members compete at either the collegiate or professional level in the world of sports.
QUARTERBACKS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
COLBY CAMERON – Louisiana Tech…Brother, JORDAN, is a third-year tight end for the Cleveland Browns. He played college basketball at Brigham Young (2006-07) before transferring to Southern California to focus on football…Sister, Brynn, is a current member of USC's women's basketball team.
COLLIN KLEIN – Kansas State…Brother, Kyle, is a freshman wide receiver at Kansas State…Wife, Shalin, is the daughter of former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker GARY SPANI(1978-86).
NATE MONTANA – West Virginia Wesleyan…Father, JOE, quarterbacked the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl titles and was named MVP in three of those championship games (XVI, XIX, and XXIV). A Pro Football Hall of Famer and eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Montana was twice named NFL MVP (1989-90).
JORDAN RODGERS – Vanderbilt…Brother, AARON, is a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback and was chosen by the Packers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He led Green Bay to a Super Bowl XLV championship and was named MVP for the 2011 season, when he set the single-season NFL record for passer rating (122.5).
JAKE RYAN – Austin Peay…Father, PAT, was a 14-year NFL quarterback with the New York Jets (1978-90) and Philadelphia Eagles (1991) who played collegiately at Tennessee.
GENO SMITH – West Virginia…Cousin, MELVIN BRATTON, was drafted in the seventh round of the 1989 NFL Draft by Denver and played two seasons at running back for the Broncos (1989-90) following a standout career at Miami. Bratton still ranks third in school history with 32 total touchdowns.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
MATT BARKLEY – Southern California…Father, Les, lettered for four years (1976-79) in water polo at Southern California, captaining the Trojans his final two seasons and earning second team All-America recognition in 1979…Brother, Sam, is a freshman hurdler on USC's track team…Cousin, Robbie Boyer, was a two-year wide receiver at USC (2010-11).
ZAC DYSERT – Miami (Ohio)…Father, Greg, played basketball at Eastern Baptist College (now called Eastern University).
MIKE GLENNON – North Carolina State…Brother, Sean, played quarterback at Virginia Tech (2004-08)…Great-grandfather, Paul Short, played college football at Lehigh, where he earned MVP honors in 1933. Short was enshrined in the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.
RYAN NASSIB–* *Syracuse…Father, Gil, played football at Delaware…Mother, Mary, played volleyball at Villanova…
Brother, Carl, is a defensive end at Penn State…Cousin, Joe, plays cornerback at Syracuse.
BRAD SORENSEN – Southern Utah…Brother, Daniel, was a linebacker for Brigham Young in 2008 before serving on a church mission in the Costa Rica San Jose Mission (2009-10). He returned as a safety for the Cougars in 2011 and was an All-Independent selection in 2012…Brother, Bryan, played tight end and was Brad's teammate at San Bernardino Valley College in 2006…Brother, Trevan, played tight end at UNLV (1997, 2000-02)…Brother, Cody, played football at the University of Utah (2004-05)…Cousin, Justin, is currently a junior placekicker at BYU.
JEFF TUEL – Washington State…Grandfather, Dave Hurm, was an All-American baseball player at Duke (1955)…Uncle, Mark Hurm, played college football at Florida (1981-83).
RUNNING BACKS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
GIOVANI BERNARD – North Carolina…Brother, YVENSON, spent time with the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks during the 2008 season and later played in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2009-10), Montreal Alouettes (2011) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (2011). Yvenson was an All-Pac 10 Conference tailback at Oregon State in 2006 and played for OSU from 2004-07.
KYLE JUSZCZYK– Harvard…Great uncle, RICH MOORE, was a defensive tackle at Villanova before being selected with the No. 12 pick in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
MICHAEL ZORDICH – Penn State…Father, MIKE, also played at Penn State and went on to play 12 seasons in the NFL as a safety, spending time with the New York Jets (1987-88), Arizona Cardinals (1989-93) and Philadelphia Eagles (1994-98).
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
MONTEE BALL – Wisconsin…Cousin, Darius Hill, played football at Ball State (2005-08).
ANDRE ELLINGTON – Clemson…Cousin, Bruce Ellington, plays football at South Carolina and is also a starting guard on the Gamecocks' basketball team.
RAY GRAHAM– Pittsburgh…Brother, KHASEEM GREENE, was a two-time Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Rutgers (2009-12) and is also a 2013 NFL Draft prospect…Father, Raymond, was a backup quarterback and running back at Purdue in 1988…Two uncles, Jamir and Malik Jackson, were defensive standouts at Rutgers from 1990-93. Malik ranks seventh in school history with 11 career interceptions. Jamir led the Scarlet Knights with 65 tackles as a senior.
WIDE RECEIVERS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
ACE SANDERS – South Carolina…Father, TRACY, played football for head coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State as a receiver and defensive back from 1976-79. He later played one season in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills (1989), in the World Football League for the Birmingham Fire and for the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm.
DURON CARTER – Florida Atlantic…Father, CRIS, starred at wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles (1987-89), Minnesota Vikings (1990-01) and Miami Dolphins (2002) and ranks fourth in NFL history with 130 touchdown catches. He will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this August as a member of the 2013 class.
KENNY STILLS – Oklahoma…Father, KEN, is a former safety who starred for the Green Bay Packers (1985-89) and Minnesota Vikings (1990) after a successful career at Wisconsin…Uncle, GARY, was a standout linebacker at West Virginia and was chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft, playing seven seasons with the Chiefs before suiting up for the Baltimore Ravens (2006-07) and St. Louis Rams (2008).
LUKE TASKER – Cornell…Father, STEVE, was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection as a special teamer for the Buffalo Bills (1986-97) and played in four consecutive Super Bowls (XXV-XXVIII). He also spent the 1985 season with the Houston Oilers.
MARKUS WHEATON – Oregon State…Cousin, KENNY, was selected in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by Dallas and played three seasons with the Cowboys (1997-99) after his college career at Oregon (1994-96). He went on to play for the AFL's Detroit Fury (2002) before heading to Canada, where he played for the Toronto Argonauts from 2003-08… Father, Odis, played basketball for Howard Payne…Brother, Marquese, was a teammate of Markus' at Mountain Pointe High School before playing at Phoenix Community College (2009) and Southern Mississippi (2010-11), where he earned All-Conference USA honors as a senior…Brother Derrek, played college football at Phoenix College.
ROBERT WOODS – Southern California…Father, ROBERT, was drafted by Kansas City in the fifth round of the 1978 NFL Draft, playing for the Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and Houston Oilers in 1978 before joining the Detroit Lions in 1979. He was a first-team All-SWAC receiver and return specialist in 1977, setting Grambling's all-time record with a 25.4-yard average as a punt returner…Grandfather, also named Robert, played football for Grambling as well.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
KEENAN ALLEN – California…Half-brother, Zach Maynard, was a quarterback at the University of Buffalo before transferring to Cal, where the two played together from 2010-12.
COURTNEY GARDNER – Sierra…Cousin, DUKE WILLIAMS, was an All-Western Athletic Conference selection in 2012 for Nevada and is a 2013 NFL Draft prospect. Gardner and Williams were football and track teammates at Hug High School (Nevada).
COBI HAMILTON – Arkansas…Mother, Deborah, played two seasons on the women's basketball team at Arkansas.
DE ANDRE HOPKINS – Clemson…Uncle, Terry Smith, had 162 career receptions for Clemson from 1990-93.
RYAN SWOPE – Texas A&M…Brother, Louie, is a sophomore defensive back at Texas A&M.
TIGHT ENDS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
TRAVIS KELCE – Cincinnati…Brother, JASON, was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and immediately earned the starting center job. He was an All-Big East Conference guard at Cincinnati (2007-10), eventually switching to center as a senior...Uncle, Don Blalock, lettered as a defensive tackle at Purdue (1976-77)… Grandfather, Don Blalock, Sr., played football at Ohio University.
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
TYLER EIFERT – Notre Dame…Father, Greg, is a 1984 Purdue graduate who played basketball for head coach Gene Keady.
*ZACH ERTZ – *Stanford…Father, Douglas, played football at Lehigh from 1981-84…Uncle, David, played baseball at Vermont (1970-72).
NICK KASA – Colorado…Father, Larry, played tackle and linebacker at New Haven (1978, 1980).
RYAN OTTEN – San Jose State…Mother, Laurie, played softball at Sierra and was a 2008 inductee into the college's Sports Hall of Fame.
ZACH SUDFELD – Nevada…Twin brother, Matthew, was a teammate at Modesto Christian High School and went on to play in 29 games for Brown (2008-11), where he finished his career with 67 receptions for 625 yards and four touchdowns…Brother, Nate, played in seven games as a true freshman quarterback for Indiana.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
DAVID BAKHTIARI – Colorado…Brother, ERIC, played defensive end for the Tennessee Titans (2009) and San Francisco 49ers (2012) following a stellar career at San Diego. A finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award in 2007, awarded annually to the top defensive end in college football, Eric was a three-time All-American at San Diego and holds the school sack records for a game, season and career…Brother, Andrew, also played defensive end at USD (2008-11)…Uncle, Dan Jackson, played quarterback at California.
KHALED HOLMES – Southern California…Brother, ALEX, played tight end for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 following his career at Southern California (2000-02, 2004), where he had 82 career receptions and was a member of USC's 2003 and 2004 national championship teams…Brother-in-law, TROY POLAMALU, plays safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he has earned seven Pro Bowl selections and won two Super Bowl championships (XL, XLIII)…Father, Mike, played defensive end at Michigan (1974-75).
KYLE LONG – Oregon…Kyle's father, HOWIE, was an All-American at Villanova and went on to become a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end for the Oakland Raiders (1981-93). He made seven Pro Bowl appearances, was twice named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press and was a key contributor on the Raiders' Super Bowl XVIII championship team…Brother, CHRIS, is currently an All-Pro defensive end for the St. Louis Rams after being selected with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was an All-American at Virginia (2004-07).
JORDAN MILLS – Louisiana Tech…Cousin, TRAMON WILLIAMS, was a standout cornerback at Louisiana Tech (2003-05) and has spent the last six seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He was a member of the Packers' Super Bowl XLV championship team and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2011.
BRENNAN WILLIAMS – North Carolina…Father, BRENT, played in the NFL from 1986-1996 with the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets as a defensive end following his college career at Toledo.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
ODAY ABOUSHI – Virginia…Brother, Aymen, was a second-team All-Patriot League defensive tackle as a senior at Fordham (1999-02).
ALVIN BAILEY – Arkansas…Father, Alvin, Sr., lettered on Arkansas' basketball team in 1979.
LUKE JOECKEL – Texas A&M…Twin brother, Matt, is a sophomore quarterback at Texas A&M…Brother, David, played on the offensive line at DePauw (2006-09)…Father, now a trial lawyer in Fort Worth, was a four-year letterman and three-year starter as an offensive lineman at Texas Tech from 1979-82…Grandfather, Reece Washington, played tight end for Texas Tech.
BARRETT JONES – Alabama…Father, Rex, played basketball at Alabama from 1982-84, where the forward helped the team compile a 61-34 record during his three seasons and a "Sweet 16" appearance in the 1984-85 NCAA Tournament.
GRAHAM POCIC – Illinois…Brother, Ethan, is a four-star offensive line prospect who committed to Louisiana State in the summer of 2012, before his high school senior season.
DAVID QUESSENBERRY – San Jose State…Brother, Paul, is a sophomore defensive end and linebacker for Navy… Brother, Scott, just finished his senior season as an offensive and defensive lineman at La Costa Canyon High School and will play football at UCLA this fall…Father, David Sr. graduated from the Naval Academy in 1980 and played football for the Midshipmen.
J.C. TRETTER – Cornell…Uncle, David, lettered twice for Cornell's football team (1976-77).
LARRY WARFORD – Kentucky…Cousin, Paul, was a cornerback at Kentucky (2006-07, 2009).
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
ALEX OKAFOR – Texas…Cousin, ERIC ALEXANDER, played football at Louisiana State (2000-03) and spent seven seasons as an NFL linebacker with the New England Patriots (2004-09), Jacksonville Jaguars (2010) and Cleveland Browns (2010).
BAKER STEINKUHLER – Nebraska…Father, DEAN, was selected by the Houston Oilers with the No. 2 overall choice in the 1984 NFL Draft and played eight seasons at tackle.
LINEBACKERS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
JON BOSTIC – Florida…Father, JOHN, was a defensive back for the Detroit Lions, playing in a total of 29 games from 1985-87.
ARTHUR BROWN – Kansas State…Brother, BRYCE, was a running back at Kansas State and is currently a member of the Philadelphia Eagles after being selected in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
KHASEEM GREENE – Rutgers…Brother, RAY GRAHAM, is a 2013 NFL Draft prospect at running back following a successful career at Pitt (2009-12).
KURT MANGUM – Akron…Great uncle, GALE SAYERS, was a Pro Football Hall of Fame running back for the Chicago Bears and led the NFL in rushing twice during his seven-year career (1965-71).
MICHAEL MAUTI – Penn State…Father, RICH, was a member of the Penn State football team from 1975-76, where he competed as a wide receiver and return specialist. He went on to play for the New Orleans Saints (1977-83) and Washington Redskins (1984)…Brother, Patrick, was a wide receiver and special teamer at Penn State (2005-09).
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
A.J. KLEIN – Iowa State…Cousin, Aron, was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference selection while starting at defensive tackle for Iowa (1995-98).
ALEC OGLETREE – Georgia…Twin brother, Alexander, was a teammate at Georgia and is currently a fullback for the Bulldogs.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
ROBERT ALFORD– Southeastern Louisiana…Brother, FRED BOOKER, was a cornerback at Louisiana State and played in the AFL and NFL Europa before spending the 2005 season with the New Orleans Saints…Brother, Duke Adams, was a safety for Southeastern Louisiana from 2003-06 and earned All-Southland Conference recognition as a junior.
MATT ELAM – Florida…Brother, ABRAM, played football at Kent State and has spent the past seven seasons as a safety in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys (2006, 2011), New York Jets (2007-2008), Cleveland Browns (2009-2010) and Kansas City Chiefs (2012).
T.J. MC DONALD – Southern California…Father, TIM, played 13 NFL seasons for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals (1987-92) and San Francisco 49ers (1993-99). A member of the 49ers' Super Bowl XXIX championship team and six-time Pro Bowl selection, Tim served as T.J.'s high school football coach and was a two-time All-America (1985-86) safety at USC (1983-86), where he was named the team MVP his final two seasons. Tim and T.J. are the only father-son tandem to serve as team captains and earn All-American honors in the history of USC's football program…Brother, Tevin, is a sophomore cornerback at UCLA.
NICKELL ROBEY – Southern California…Cousin, ALVIN HARPER, played football and ran track at Tennessee before becoming a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys (1991-94, 1999), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995-96) and Washington Redskins (1997). Harper earned two Super Bowl rings with Dallas (XXVII and XXVIII)…Cousin, Carlton Thomas, was a running back at Georgia (2009-11).
DESMOND TRUFANT – Washington…Brother, MARCUS, was selected in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by Seattle and played the past 10 seasons with the Seahawks following his All-American career at Washington State as a cornerback…Brother, ISAIAH, played cornerback at Eastern Washington and spent time on the practice squad with the New York Jets (2010-11) and Philadelphia Eagles (2011). He also spent time in the AFL and UFL.
KENNY VACCARO – Texas…Uncle,A.J. JOHNSON**, played cornerback in the NFL with the Redskins (1989-94), helping Washington to a victory in Super Bowl XXVI, and San Diego Chargers (1995).
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
TONY JEFFERSON – Oklahoma…Father, Tony, was a boxer in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
LEON MC FADDEN – San Diego State…Father, Leon, played nine seasons of professional baseball as a pitcher, shortstop and outfielder, playing 62 games for the Houston Astros over the course of three major-league seasons (1968-70).
JORDAN POYER– Oregon State…Father, Faalaeo Moliva'a, played tight end at Eastern New Mexico…Grandfather, Lynn Baxter, lettered in basketball at Oregon State in 1962 and 1964.
ERIC REID – Louisiana State…Father, Eric, Sr., was a three-time All-American hurdler for LSU from 1984-87 and is a member of the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He was the NCAA champion in the 110-meter hurdles as a senior in 1987 and holds the school record for that event (13.5 seconds).
DUKE WILLIAMS – Nevada…Cousin, COURTNEY GARDNER, is a 2013 NFL Draft prospect following an All-America season at wide receiver at Sierra Junior College in 2012.
BLIDI WREH-WILSON – Connecticut…Brother, Elliott, played soccer and ran track at Thiel (Pa.) College, graduating in 2009.
