Football recruits in the 2027 Top 100 with NFL bloodlines

Monday saw On3 release its initial rankings for football prospects in the 2027 cycle. The ranking, which is comprised of prospects entering their sophomore season, contains some familiar names. Several members of the initial Top 100 have ties to the NFL and college football, with fathers and brothers who have played at the sport’s highest level.

Professional bloodlines have become increasingly common over the past decade. A number of top NFL players have parents who were professional athletes. We’ve seen this trend emerge in recent NFL Drafts with top ten picks like Marvin Harrison Jr., Joe Alt, Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee Horn being the sons of former Pro Bowlers.

Two potential Hall of Famers with sons inside the Top 100

Two former NFL stars who are likely to end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame have sons within the Top 100.

Quarterback Gunner Rivers (No. 60 the Top 100) is the son of former NC State and Charger great, Philip Rivers. The younger Rivers had a very strong freshman season while playing for his father at Fairhope (Ala.) St. Michael Catholic, completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 3,077 yards and 29 touchdowns against four interceptions. He’s shown encouraging accuracy, decision making and a quick release via a delivery that resembles his father’s unique throwing motion.

Cooper Witten (No. 42) is the son of Tennessee and Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Like Gunner Rivers, Cooper Witten also plays for his father, who is coaching at Argyle (Texas) Liberty Christian Academy. The younger Witten is listed at around 6-foot-1, 205 pounds and primarily lined up at safety as a freshman flashing playmaking skills and physicality. He also shows plus athleticism in track and field, posting a strong 11.03 second mark in the 100 meters as a freshman. Witten is ranked at the athlete position, but given his size and skill set, it’s not out of the question he could ultimately grow into a linebacker.

Top 100 prospects with more NFL and college ties

Several more prospects inside On3’s initial 2027 Top 100 have family members who have starred in the NFL and college football.

Athlete prospect Jaxx DeJean (No. 24) is the younger brother of former Iowa star and Philadelphia Eagles second round pick, Cooper DeJean. The younger DeJean is bigger than his older brother, listed at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds. He plays as a big wide receiver and cornerback, but is likely to outgrow those spots given his size and age.

Cornerback Josiah Molden (No. 28) has very strong bloodlines. His father Alex Molden was an All-American cornerback at Oregon in 1995 and the No. 11 pick in the 1996 NFL Draft before playing in the NFL for eight seasons. His brother Elijah Molden was a two-time first team All-Pac 12 corner at Washington and was a third round pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Defensive lineman George Toia (No. 37) is the younger brother of former Baylor standout defensive lineman and Cleveland Browns third round pick Siaki Ika and UCLA starting defensive lineman Jay Toia.

Quarterback Colton Nussmeier (No. 43), is the son of former NFL quarterback and current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback coach Doug Nussmeier. His brother, Garrett Nussmeier, is the current starting quarterback at LSU entering the 2024 season.

Athlete Xavier Sabb (No. 9) is the younger brother of current Alabama and former Michigan safety Keon Sabb, who is a likely NFL Draft pick when his time comes.

EDGE David Jacobs Jr. (No. 12) is the namesake of his father, who played along the defensive line at Georgia in the early 2000’s.

Additional 2027 prospects with bloodlines of note

A number of 2027 prospects with offers have bloodlines of note.

EDGE Ezekiel Ayangbile is the son of Virginia Tech product and two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Duane Brown.

Interior offensive lineman Reis Russell is the son of former Colorado linebacker Matt Russell, who won the Butkus Award in 1996 before being picked in the 4th round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Russell has worked in NFL front offices for several years and is currently with the Philadelphia Eagles. – won Butkus award works in eagles front office

Athlete Andrew Beard is the nephew of former Georgia star and Pro Bowl running back Garrison Hearst’s nephew

A trio of 2027 prospects have brothers who were five-stars in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Wide receiver Angelo Smith‘s older brother is Ohio State wide receiver and former No. 1 overall prospect, Jeremiah Smith. Quarterback Bobby Coleman is the younger brother of Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman. Linebacker Max Brown is the younger brother of Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown.

A number of NFL legends like Charles Woodson, Troy Polamalu and Donovan McNabb have sons in the 2027 recruiting cycle who could garner FBS offers in time.