Power Ranking the Most Talented College Football Families

There are plenty of familiar names running around college football fields today, but some are recognizable to more than just one age group of fans.

From the glory days to the modern era, some families have etched their name on each generation of college football. Some families simply have a lot of talent loaded into one generation.

While everyone on the list is definitely talented, here is the ranking of each of the top 10 families in college football history.

10. The Tiffins

Van Tiffin, Leigh Tiffin's father, was a giant in Alabama's culture long before his son came along. Van took the opportunity to set a few records at Alabama, some of which still stand.

One is the longest field goal ever made for the school, which he set at 57 yards. The other is a perfect record of 135 out of 135 points-after-touchdown.

His son Leigh was a part of the legendary 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide. That team finished the season with a 14-0 record, including a nail-biter over Tennessee by just two points.

As much credit as Terrence Cody rightfully gets for that victory, Van was the only person to score for the Tide. He hit field goals from 22, 38, 49 and 50 yards to account for all 12 of the Tide's points.

While this father-son tandem is legendary at Alabama, their overall achievement sits at No. 10 on the list. After all, they are kickers. While a finesse position, they do have only two things to worry about: the ball and the uprights.

9. The Joneses (Round 1)

Dub Jones was a football star for the Tulane Green Wave back in the '40s, when Tulane was a member of the SEC. Dub was an All-American junior in 1944 and opted to go to the NFL rather than transfer back to LSU for his last year of college ball.

Ultimately, Dub is largely remembered for his stellar career in the NFL.

His son, Bert, was just like his father. Though successful at the college level with the LSU Tigers, he was one of two quarterbacks in a two-passer system. He didn't have the opportunity to shine until he reached the NFL.

During his time at LSU (1970-1972), the Tigers reeled off a 27-8-1 record and earned the 1970 SEC title. Jones and his father were really cut out for the NFL, which they proved after college, but they were simply misused at the college level.

8. The Metcalfs

Terry Metcalf played ball at Long Beach State, and he started the family off right with a performance that landed him in the Long Beach State Hall of Fame.

He rushed for 2,432 yards and 45 touchdowns in his career there, and he set NCAA touchdown and scoring records while at LBSU.

His son Eric played for the Texas Longhorns. Eric finished his career at Texas with 2,661 rushing yards, 1,390 receiving yards and 30 total touchdowns. He also tossed two touchdown passes in 1987 to add to his versatility score.

The Metcalfs may have another name to add to this list later on, but Eric wants his 12-year-old son to wait before he starts taking the sub-concussive hits that can add up to disaster in his future.

7. The Grieses

Bob Griese was the starting quarterback for Purdue from 1964-1966. Bob went 358-of-627 for 4,541 yards, 28 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in his Boilermaker career.

He was a consensus All-American in both 1965 and 1966, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984. He's also a member of Purdue's All-Time Football Team.

His son, Brian Griese, led Michigan to a share of the 1997 national title via an undefeated season. Brian was 355-of-606 for 4,383 yards, 33 touchdowns and only 18 interceptions during his career as a Wolverine.

The Grieses made great impacts at each of their colleges, and they easily earn a spot on this list.

6. The Winslows

Kellen Winslow Sr. played for the Missouri Tigers and was a consensus All-American during his senior season in 1978.

He racked up 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns off just 71 receptions as a tight end. He finished first in receiving touchdowns in the Big 8 in both 1977 and 1978 as well.

His son, Kellen Winslow Jr., took his talent to the Miami Hurricanes from 2001-2003. Winslow Jr. caught 119 passes for 1,365 yards and nine touchdowns while at Miami. Though he was more productive in 2002, he was finally given his deserved recognition as the best tight end in the country in 2003.

He was also a consensus All-American that year, which would be his last collegiate performance. He and his father were both tight ends with seemingly limitless potential.

5. The Ingrams

Mark Ingram Sr. was a wide receiver for the Michigan State Spartans from 1983-1986. During his tenure, he averaged over 20 yards per catch. He racked up 1,944 yards and 14 touchdowns off just 95 receptions.

Ingram Sr. gave way to his son, Mark Ingram Jr., who became an impressive running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mark Jr. was the backbone of the 2009 squad that went undefeated and brought home Alabama's first national championship since 1992.

He rushed for 3,261 yards and 42 touchdowns off 572 carries during his time in Tuscaloosa from 2008-2010.

Mark Sr. and Mark Jr. both did great things for their respective collegiate teams, but the son surpassed the father when he brought Alabama its only Heisman Trophy in history.

4. The Watts

Wisconsin probably didn't know it at the time, but it hit the mother lode when it scored J.J. Watt from Central Michigan. His brother, D.J., is now a redshirt freshman with the Badgers, and his other brother, T.J., has committed to them as well.

J.J. totaled 74 solo tackles for Wisconsin and 106 total drops, including 36.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Throw in his 14 passes defended, and you are looking at a stellar defensive lineman. He won the 2010 Ronnie Lott Trophy as the defensive IMPACT player of the year.

Assuming that his brothers are as good in college as they were (or are) in high school, the Badgers are going to hope that they already have the inside track to the next generation of Watts.

3. The Joneses (Round 2)

Barrett, Harrison and Walker Jones are all talented football players, but Barrett was a three-time All-American on the Alabama offensive line (at three different positions, if you're counting).

Barrett anchored the line from 2009-2012, and the Tide brought home three national championships in those four years. He was a starter the minute he took off the redshirt, and he started all 14 of the Tide's games during the perfect '09 run to the title.

While Harrison is also playing for the Tide, it's going to take a lot of work to equal or surpass his brother's performance. He's at tight end, so at least his position is a little higher-profile than Barrett's. Still, it's a huge request to ask him to three-peat on the All-America Team.

The youngest, Walker, is not likely to see playing time in 2013, but he was a standout linebacker and running back at Evangelical Christian High School. He earned only three stars during the recruiting process, but so did Mark Ingram.

2. The Matthewses

Clay Matthews Sr. played offensive tackle at Georgia Tech and went on to play in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers.

Both his sons, Clay Jr. and Bruce, headed over to the USC Trojans and eventually combined for 18 Pro Bowl appearances after both were drafted in the first round.

Clay Jr.'s sons, Clay III and Kyle, also played at USC while his third son, Casey, played at Oregon. Both of them were also drafted. Clay III went in the first round of his cycle, and Casey went in the fourth.

This family isn't just a family of NFL players, they were outstanding at their jobs in college. Only two of them were not first-round draft picks.

This family is insanely talented at what it does, and there's already some speculation as to Brodie Matthews' future in football. He's only two years old at the moment, so don't start looking for him on recruiting websites just yet.

Three generations of All-America players says a lot for the bloodline, and there is no doubt that this family belongs near the top of the list.

1. The Mannings

Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning are three household names. Decades after retirement, Archie's talent is still discussed more than just in reference to his sons' abilities.

The eldest Manning signed up with the Ole Miss Rebels and earned the 1969 SEC Player of the Year title. His jersey number, 18, is the only one ever to have been retired at Ole Miss.

His sons, Peyton and Eli, both became collegiate stars, though they may not have equaled their father's impact at either school.

Peyton quarterbacked for the Tennessee Volunteers from 1994-1997. He went 863-of-1,381 for 11,201 yards, 89 touchdowns and 33 interceptions while wearing the orange and white. He earned the following awards for his performance during the 1997 season:

Consensus All-America
Davey O'Brien Award
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Maxwell Award
SEC Player of the Year

He also finished three straight seasons in the Heisman top 10 on the final ballots. He finished as high as second, which he accomplished in 1997.

Eli Manning finished third in Heisman voting in 2003 based on his stellar performance with the Ole Miss Rebels. Eli went 829-of-1,363 for 10,119 yards, 81 touchdowns and 35 interceptions during his stint with the Rebels.

He won the Maxwell, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and the SEC Offensive Player of the Year Awards all in 2003.

Archie Manning was selected No. 2 overall in the 1971 NFL draft. Peyton was the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft, and Eli followed up as the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft. Though Eli would essentially protest his selection by the San Diego Chargers, it certainly worked out in his favor in the long run.

One of the most legendary quarterbacks in the history of the sport fathered not one, but two No. 1 draft picks. As an aside: Both sons went on to win Super Bowls.