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College football players with NFL fathers

We're celebrating those current players whose dads played -- and in some cases, starred -- in the NFL. We're spotlighting starting college players whose dads had, at the least, solid NFL careers.

That's why Ohio State DE Joey Bosa is not listed. While his dad, John, was a first-round pick in 1987 out of Boston College, John's NFL career lasted just three uneventful seasons.

Still, whenever Joey decides to go pro, the Bosas appear likely to become the eighth father-son duo in which both were taken in the first round. The others: the Heywards (father Craig, son Cameron), the Ingrams (father Mark, son Mark Jr.), the Mannings (father Archie, sons Peyton and Eli), the Matthewses (father Bruce, son Jake), the Matthewses (father Clay, son Clay Jr.) and the Winslows (father Kellen, son Kellen Jr.).

Here are the "dandy dozen" father-son duos for this season; if the duos attended the same college, it is noted.

His dad: OT Lincoln Kennedy The skinny: There's nothing "skinny" about either Banner or Kennedy. Banner, a junior who is projected as USC's starting right tackle this season, is 6-foot-9 and 360 pounds; this will be the second season as a starter for Banner, who was a consensus national top-65 prospect in the 2012 recruiting class. Kennedy was a 6-6, 335-pounder. Kennedy played 11 NFL seasons (eight with the Oakland Raiders, three with the Atlanta Falcons) and was a one-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.
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USC OT Zach Banner

His dad: OT Lincoln Kennedy
The skinny: There's nothing "skinny" about either Banner or Kennedy. Banner, a junior who is projected as USC's starting right tackle this season, is 6-foot-9 and 360 pounds; this will be the second season as a starter for Banner, who was a consensus national top-65 prospect in the 2012 recruiting class. Kennedy was a 6-6, 335-pounder. Kennedy played 11 NFL seasons (eight with the Oakland Raiders, three with the Atlanta Falcons) and was a one-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.

Associated Press
His dad: RB Larry Centers The skinny: Devin (5-9, 200) started six times last season and is expected to be a full-time starter this fall. He was fourth on the Aggies with 74 tackles, with an interception, 10 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries for touchdowns. Larry played 14 seasons in the NFL (with four teams) and made his mark as a good blocker and excellent receiver; he had 10 seasons of at least 50 receptions and four with at least 80 catches. He was a three-time Pro Bowler (twice with the Arizona Cardinals and once with the Buffalo Bills).
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Utah State S Devin Centers

His dad: RB Larry Centers
The skinny: Devin (5-9, 200) started six times last season and is expected to be a full-time starter this fall. He was fourth on the Aggies with 74 tackles, with an interception, 10 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries for touchdowns. Larry played 14 seasons in the NFL (with four teams) and made his mark as a good blocker and excellent receiver; he had 10 seasons of at least 50 receptions and four with at least 80 catches. He was a three-time Pro Bowler (twice with the Arizona Cardinals and once with the Buffalo Bills).

Associated Press
His dad: OLB Bryan Cox The skinny: The younger Cox (6-3, 261), a junior, will be expected to pick up some of the pass-rush slack in the wake of the departure of Dante Fowler Jr. This will be his second season as a starter. The elder Cox was known for his intensity and his pass-rush skills during his 12-year NFL career; he played for the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints. He was an All-Pro once and a three-time Pro Bowler (all with the Dolphins).
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Florida DE Bryan Cox Jr.

His dad: OLB Bryan Cox
The skinny: The younger Cox (6-3, 261), a junior, will be expected to pick up some of the pass-rush slack in the wake of the departure of Dante Fowler Jr. This will be his second season as a starter. The elder Cox was known for his intensity and his pass-rush skills during his 12-year NFL career; he played for the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints. He was an All-Pro once and a three-time Pro Bowler (all with the Dolphins).

Associated Press
Their dad: Gerald Dixon The skinny: The Dixons are returning starters who also are half-brothers, born five months apart. Gerald Jr. (6-3, 325) is a senior who will start at defensive tackle; Gerald (6-2, 276) is a junior who will start at defensive end. Both went to high school in Rock Hill, S.C., but at different schools. Gerald Jr. turned 22 in March; Gerald turns 22 in August. Their dad also played for South Carolina, then played 10 seasons at linebacker in the NFL with three teams (the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers).
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South Carolina DL Gerald Dixon and Gerald Dixon Jr

Their dad: Gerald Dixon
The skinny: The Dixons are returning starters who also are half-brothers, born five months apart. Gerald Jr. (6-3, 325) is a senior who will start at defensive tackle; Gerald (6-2, 276) is a junior who will start at defensive end. Both went to high school in Rock Hill, S.C., but at different schools. Gerald Jr. turned 22 in March; Gerald turns 22 in August. Their dad also played for South Carolina, then played 10 seasons at linebacker in the NFL with three teams (the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers).

Associated Press/USA Today Sports
His dad: DE Keith Hamilton The skinny: Darius (6-4, 255), a senior, will be a three-year starter for the Scarlet Knights. He lacks bulk but has good quickness, and has 10.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in the past two seasons combined. He was a consensus national top-25 prospect in the 2012 recruiting class. Keith played 12 seasons in the NFL as a defensive end with the New York Giants and was a starter for 11 of them. He had 63 career sacks.
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Rutgers DT Darius Hamilton

His dad: DE Keith Hamilton
The skinny: Darius (6-4, 255), a senior, will be a three-year starter for the Scarlet Knights. He lacks bulk but has good quickness, and has 10.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in the past two seasons combined. He was a consensus national top-25 prospect in the 2012 recruiting class. Keith played 12 seasons in the NFL as a defensive end with the New York Giants and was a starter for 11 of them. He had 63 career sacks.

Associated Press
Their dad: LB Robert Jones The skinny: Robert Jones played 10 seasons in the NFL (for three teams) and was a big, physical middle linebacker. And while Robert (an ECU alum) certainly has to be proud of his sons, you wonder if a part of him is somewhat chagrined that neither plays defense. No matter: Each Jones sibling has a legit chance to lead his league in receptions this fall (Cayleb in the Pac-12, Isaiah in the AAC). Cayleb (6-3, 215) is the older of the two; he will be a junior this fall and will be in his second season as a starter. He played as a true freshman at Texas (the Jones brothers grew up in Austin) before transferring to Arizona. Isaiah (6-1, 197) also will be a junior and is entering his third season as a starter. Their uncle, Jeff Blake, is a former NFL quarterback.
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Arizona WR Cayleb Jones and East Carolina WR Isaiah Jones

Their dad: LB Robert Jones
The skinny: Robert Jones played 10 seasons in the NFL (for three teams) and was a big, physical middle linebacker. And while Robert (an ECU alum) certainly has to be proud of his sons, you wonder if a part of him is somewhat chagrined that neither plays defense. No matter: Each Jones sibling has a legit chance to lead his league in receptions this fall (Cayleb in the Pac-12, Isaiah in the AAC). Cayleb (6-3, 215) is the older of the two; he will be a junior this fall and will be in his second season as a starter. He played as a true freshman at Texas (the Jones brothers grew up in Austin) before transferring to Arizona. Isaiah (6-1, 197) also will be a junior and is entering his third season as a starter. Their uncle, Jeff Blake, is a former NFL quarterback.

His dad: G Todd Kalis The skinny: Kyle (6-5, 290), a junior, is a former national top-50 recruit who will be a three-year starter (he was the No. 49 prospect in the 2012 class in the 247sports.com consensus rankings -- three spots behind Amari Cooper and one spot ahead of Leonard Williams). Kalis is from the Cleveland area and originally committed to Ohio State. He will be an important part of an offensive line that was a weakness two years ago, but should be a team strength this fall. Todd played in the NFL for seven seasons, with three teams (Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals); he was a starter for four of those seasons.
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Michigan G Kyle Kalis

His dad: G Todd Kalis
The skinny: Kyle (6-5, 290), a junior, is a former national top-50 recruit who will be a three-year starter (he was the No. 49 prospect in the 2012 class in the 247sports.com consensus rankings -- three spots behind Amari Cooper and one spot ahead of Leonard Williams). Kalis is from the Cleveland area and originally committed to Ohio State. He will be an important part of an offensive line that was a weakness two years ago, but should be a team strength this fall. Todd played in the NFL for seven seasons, with three teams (Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals); he was a starter for four of those seasons.

Associated Press
His dad: C/G/T Bruce Matthews The skinny: Mike (6-2, 290), a senior, is heading into his third season as a starter and is expected to be one of the nation's top centers this fall. Bruce was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 after a 19-year career with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans, and currently is an assistant coach with the Titans. Mike's older brother, Jake, is a former A&M offensive tackle who was a first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2014 draft.
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Texas A&M C Mike Matthews

His dad: C/G/T Bruce Matthews
The skinny: Mike (6-2, 290), a senior, is heading into his third season as a starter and is expected to be one of the nation's top centers this fall. Bruce was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 after a 19-year career with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans, and currently is an assistant coach with the Titans. Mike's older brother, Jake, is a former A&M offensive tackle who was a first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2014 draft.

Associated Press/USA Today Sports
His dad: WR Ed McCaffrey The skinny: Christian (6-0, 197) was a consensus national top-100 prospect in the 2014 recruiting class, and he made his presence known as a true freshman last fall. He played especially well down the stretch, and that carried over into spring practice. While Stanford will have a share-the-wealth philosophy at tailback, McCaffrey is expected to start because of his versatility; he also could be used as a slot receiver and is a dangerous return man. Ed is a Stanford alum who played 13 seasons in the NFL for three teams. (Stanford's third-team tailback is expected to be senior Barry Sanders Jr., and senior Kodi Whitfield -- the son of former Pro Bowl OT Bob Whitfield -- is in the running to start at strong safety. In addition, redshirt freshman Keller Chryst -- the son of San Francisco 49ers quarterback coach Geep Chryst -- could be the backup quarterback. Keller's uncle, Paul Chryst, is Wisconsin's coach.)
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Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey

His dad: WR Ed McCaffrey
The skinny: Christian (6-0, 197) was a consensus national top-100 prospect in the 2014 recruiting class, and he made his presence known as a true freshman last fall. He played especially well down the stretch, and that carried over into spring practice. While Stanford will have a share-the-wealth philosophy at tailback, McCaffrey is expected to start because of his versatility; he also could be used as a slot receiver and is a dangerous return man. Ed is a Stanford alum who played 13 seasons in the NFL for three teams. (Stanford's third-team tailback is expected to be senior Barry Sanders Jr., and senior Kodi Whitfield -- the son of former Pro Bowl OT Bob Whitfield -- is in the running to start at strong safety. In addition, redshirt freshman Keller Chryst -- the son of San Francisco 49ers quarterback coach Geep Chryst -- could be the backup quarterback. Keller's uncle, Paul Chryst, is Wisconsin's coach.)

Associated Press
His dad: LB Hardy Nickerson The skinny: The younger Nickerson is Hardy William Lindsay Nickerson and his dad is Hardy Otto Nickerson. The younger Nickerson (6-0, 229) will be a junior this fall and a third-year starter; he has made 133 tackles in the past two seasons. The elder Nickerson played 16 seasons in the NFL, earning four All-Pro and five Pro Bowl selections; he is entering his second season as Tampa Bay's linebacker coach. He also is a Cal alum and is second on the school's career list for tackles.
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California LB Hardy Nickerson

His dad: LB Hardy Nickerson
The skinny: The younger Nickerson is Hardy William Lindsay Nickerson and his dad is Hardy Otto Nickerson. The younger Nickerson (6-0, 229) will be a junior this fall and a third-year starter; he has made 133 tackles in the past two seasons. The elder Nickerson played 16 seasons in the NFL, earning four All-Pro and five Pro Bowl selections; he is entering his second season as Tampa Bay's linebacker coach. He also is a Cal alum and is second on the school's career list for tackles.

Associated Press
His dad: RB Fred Taylor The skinny: Kelvin (5-10, 209), a junior, is expected to be the Gators' starting tailback this fall. He wears the same number (21) as his dad did at UF. He was a consensus national top-25 prospect in the 2013 recruiting class. Fred rushed for 3,075 yards and 31 TDs in his four-year Florida career, then ran for 11,695 yards and 66 TDs in a 13-year NFL career (11 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, two with the New England Patriots). His yardage total is 15th in NFL history.
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Florida RB Kelvin Taylor

His dad: RB Fred Taylor
The skinny: Kelvin (5-10, 209), a junior, is expected to be the Gators' starting tailback this fall. He wears the same number (21) as his dad did at UF. He was a consensus national top-25 prospect in the 2013 recruiting class. Fred rushed for 3,075 yards and 31 TDs in his four-year Florida career, then ran for 11,695 yards and 66 TDs in a 13-year NFL career (11 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, two with the New England Patriots). His yardage total is 15th in NFL history.

Associated Press
His dad: Cedric Tillman The skinny: Jamir (6-4, 206), a junior with excellent size and good speed, played at prep powerhouse Las Vegas Gorman. He led the Midshipmen in receptions (20), receiving yards (386) and TD receptions (3) last season, and is a legit deep threat in Navy's triple-option attack. Jamir also played basketball, and was a hurdler and high jumper in high school. Cedric played wide receiver in the NFL for four seasons and two teams; he was a part-time starter for three seasons.
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Navy WR Jamir Tillman

His dad: Cedric Tillman
The skinny: Jamir (6-4, 206), a junior with excellent size and good speed, played at prep powerhouse Las Vegas Gorman. He led the Midshipmen in receptions (20), receiving yards (386) and TD receptions (3) last season, and is a legit deep threat in Navy's triple-option attack. Jamir also played basketball, and was a hurdler and high jumper in high school. Cedric played wide receiver in the NFL for four seasons and two teams; he was a part-time starter for three seasons.

Associated Press
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