Jeremiah Trotter Jr. wears his dad's No. 54, plays the same position and celebrates sacks and big tackles with the same signature axe swing.
Now he's ready to make a name for himself in the NFL. So are several top prospects who line up at the same positions their fathers played in the league. They'll find out where they're going when the 2024 draft is held next week in Detroit.
"I've never been the type to shy away from being the son of Jeremiah Trotter," said the 21-year-old linebacker out of Clemson. "I appreciate him. He's always taught me a lot at the position and really helped me to get to this point today."
Jeremiah Trotter was a four-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker who had three stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and also played for the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an 11-year NFL career.
His son was a finalist last year for the Dick Butkus Award, given to the nation's top college linebacker. The 6-foot, 238-pounder is projected to be drafted as high as the second round, and some analysts believe his size is the only thing that will keep him out of the first round.
"I think I'm a very well-rounded player," Trotter said. "I'm a three-down linebacker, which is really important in today's age with the game being played more out in space. I feel like God blessed me with the ability to be able to cover, blitz and be effective in the run game. So it's being effective in all three phases of the game, all three levels of the defense, and going out there and having command of the defense as well. Since I play middle linebacker, that's definitely important at the next level."
Joe Alt, Jonah Elliss, Frank Gore Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., Kris Jenkins, Luke McCaffrey and Brenden Rice are also turning this NFL draft into a family affair.
Harrison and Rice both are wide receivers, like their dads were on the way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Harrison excelled at Ohio State and is expected to go in the top five next week in Detroit. Rice, who caught passes from projected No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at the University of Southern California, is viewed as a mid-rounder. His father, Jerry Rice, has more receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches than anyone in NFL history.
"The standard is ridiculous, so you can see what you're expecting from me," Brenden Rice said of following his dad's footsteps.
Frank Gore was a five-time Pro Bowl running back for the San Francisco 49ers before playing for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets. His 16,000 rushing yards are third in NFL history.
His son embraces the pressure of following his path.
"It's a blessing and it's an opportunity," said the younger Gore, who played at Southern Miss and set an NCAA bowl record with 329 yards in the 2022 Lending Tree Bowl. "I'm not going to shy away from my name. I am who I am. It's a blessing to have this name. He had this name, he made it what it is. Now, I have the responsibility to take it further."
Joe Alt's dad, John Alt, was a two-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle during a 13-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs. The younger Alt, an All-American at Notre Dame, is considered the best left tackle in a draft pool stacked with talented offensive linemen. He's projected to be a top-10 pick.
Luke McCaffrey, a receiver from Rice, has strong bloodlines. His dad, Ed McCaffrey, made a Pro Bowl and won three Super Bowls during an NFL career in which he played for the 49ers and the Denver Broncos. His older brother, Christian McCaffrey, was the NFL's offensive player of the year last season. Luke is considered a mid-round pick.
Kris Jenkins was a two-time All-Pro defensive tackle during 10 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and the Jets. His son was an All-American and team captain for national champion Michigan as a senior this past season. The younger Jenkins is considered a second-day choice.
Elliss wore No. 83 at Utah, just like his dad, Luther Elliss, did in the early 1990s. He's viewed as one of the top seven edge rushers in a pool loaded with players at that spot.
Texas wide receiver Jordan Whittington, Missouri offensive lineman Javon Foster, Michigan offensive lineman Drake Nugent and Michigan defensive lineman Jaylen Harrell also are sons of former NFL players.
Having grown up with a dad in the league gives all these prospects different advantages. They're prepared for the spotlight, and they understand the sacrifices it takes to succeed.
"Being a son of an NFL player," the younger Gore said, "you have to mature a lot faster than a normal kid."