To earn a spot on a college football team it takes hard work, dedication and determination. Great genes don't hurt, either.
Of all the young men to sign National Letters of Intent today, some happen to be the sons of former NFL players. While a few are heading to top-tier Division I programs, others will attempt to make their mark at a lower-profile school. Either way, playing at the college level is a tremendous accomplishment.
Here is a list of the sons of NFL players who signed National Letters of Intent today.Steven McNair
, son of Steve McNair, signed today with Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss. A running back, he played his final prep season at Magee (Miss.)
Wide receiver Chad Beebe
signed with Northern Illinois University after playing for his father, former NFL player Don Beebe, at Aurora Christian (Aurora, Ill.)
Miami of Ohio has signed one of the country's top passers, Tommy Tupa
of Brecksville-Broadview Heights (Broadview Heights, Ohio)
. He is the son of Tom Tupa, who spent most of his NFL years as a punter. He also served as his son's offensive coordinator.
Joe Klecko's son,
, a tough defensive lineman from Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank, N.J.)
, picked Rutgers University.
National champion Alabama, of course, has its usual major haul, which includes quarterback Luke Del Rio
, who turned down scholarships from Oklahoma State and Oregon State to walk on. The Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
standout is the son of Jack Del Rio.
The University of Florida landed a famous second-generation name, record-setting running back Kelvin Taylor
of Glades Day (Belle Glade, Fla.)
. Kelvin has surpassed even his famous father, Fred Taylor, at this stage of his career.Joey Bosa
, son of John Bosa, chose Ohio State following a great career as a defensive end at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
. Ray Lewis lll
, whose father just retired following a brilliant NFL career, signed with the University of Miami. He was a standout on offense and defense for Lake Mary Prep (Lake Mary, Fla.)
The University of Georgia has signed Devondre Seymour
an offensive tackle from North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.)
and the son of Richard Seymour. Dylan Chmura
, a receiver from West (Waukesha, Wis.)
and the son of Mark Chmura, has signed with Michigan State University.