DL Eriq George, son of NFL great Eddie George, enters NCAA transfer portal

The son of former NFL great Eddie George has entered the NCAA transfer portal. On3’s Pete Nakos reported on Wednesday morning that Tennessee State defensive lineman Eriq George has made the move.

George is a 6-foot-2, 280-pound player who has been highly productive the last two seasons playing for his father with the Tigers. He’ll be looking for an opportunity at a higher level.

The capable lineman first recorded 25 tackles, 6.0 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery as a first-year contributor in 2023. He would roughly double that production in 2024.

During the past season, Eriq George really turned it on. He finished with 57 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Of course, there’s certainly a chance that George follows his father to his next coaching stop. Eddie George recently accepted the head coaching job at Bowling Green.

Eriq George to follow father to Bowling Green?

It’s not all that uncommon for sons of coaches to play for their fathers, though a little less common in college football than in college basketball. Could Eriq George be next in line?

Tennessee State head coach and former Ohio State and NFL great Eddie George has agreed in principle to become the next head coach at Bowling Green, according to the Toledo Blade.

According to the Blade, Bowling Green interviewed three finalists — George, UMass offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian and Oklahoma State quarterbacks coach Kevin Johns — at the Westin at Detroit Metro Airport, and extended the offer to George following those meetings.

The 51-year-old George moves up the FBS level after going 24-22 overall and 13-12 in conference play over four seasons at FCS Tennessee State, including leading the Tigers (9-4, 6-1 OVC-Big South-OVC) to one of their best seasons in school history after finishing tied for first in the OVC-Big South, its first conference championship since 1999. George was also named OVC-Big South coach of the year in 2024.

George replaces former BG head coach Scott Loeffler, who left the Falcons after six seasons to become the Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach.

During this coaching cycle, Eddie George also interviewed for the Chicago Bears’ head coaching vacancy. That job ultimately went to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

On3’s Alex Byington also contributed to this report.