Top 2016 College Football Recruits with NFL Ties
The old adage, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" often times applies to college football recruits.
If a recruit has a famous father or is related to someone who made it to the NFL, then it's simple: All eyes on that player from start to finish. In many cases, the hype is legit. Chalk that up to genetics and a work ethic that only a professional can teach.
While there are many athletes with fathers, uncles and cousins who have played in the NFL, Bleacher Report breaks down 10 to watch as spring recruiting continues on. The list is organized by player rankings courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.
5-Star LB Ben Davis
1 of 10
Hometown (school): Gordo, Alabama (Gordo)
Size: 6'4", 230 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 23 (No. 4 OLB)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: Alabama (100 percent)
For some people, it's not a matter of if, but a matter of when Ben Davis will commit to Alabama. Crimson Tide fans are hoping for him to follow in his father's footsteps, as Wayne is the program's all-time leading tackler (327), who also saw time with the Arizona Cardinals.
Ben is taking his time with the process and has offers from Auburn, LSU, Florida, Georgia and Notre Dame—in addition to Alabama. He's made several trips to Tuscaloosa for football games, but every school has a legitimate shot at winning him over.
4-Star S Nigel Warrior
2 of 10
Hometown (school): Atlanta (Westlake)
Size: 6'0", 175 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 79 (No. 5 S)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: Georgia (56 percent)
There are many athletes who have the luxury of having one family member play in the NFL. Nigel Warrior watched not only his father, Dale Carter, shine as a defensive back, but also his uncle, Jake Reed, put up big numbers as a wide receiver.
Now it's Warrior's turn to shine, and he has his choice of where to play college ball. Tennessee and Georgia are the most-talked-about schools, but Auburn and Ohio State are two other schools to keep an eye on. Tennessee is Carter's alma mater.
4-Star WR Michael Pittman
3 of 10
Hometown (school): Thousand Oaks, California (Oaks Christian)
Size: 6'4", 205 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 147 (No. 31 WR)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: Committed to UCLA
UCLA's 2016 class is looking strong, and receiver Michael Pittman is one of the players who can help the Bruins become the face of Pac-12 football in the immediate future. Pittman is a big, tall receiver who is versatile enough to play in the secondary if necessary.
Pittman's father, with the same first name, played 12 seasons in the NFL after putting up impressive numbers at Fresno State. He won a Super Bowl in January 2003 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rushing for 124 yards in Super Bowl XXXVII.
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4-Star RB Kameron Martin
4 of 10
Hometown (school): Port Arthur, Texas (Memorial)
Size: 5'10", 170 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 178 (No. 2 APB)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: Committed to Baylor
Kameron Martin's father didn't play in the NFL, but his cousin is one of the game's most electrifying players. Jamaal Charles is Martin's older cousin, and while Martin admires the former Texas standout, he chose to travel his own path and commit to Baylor on July 15.
Martin hopes to have the success Charles has had in the NFL. Charles has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in five of his seven professional seasons, including a career-high 1,509 yards coming off an ACL injury in 2012.
4-Star CB Chad Clay
5 of 10
Hometown (school): Suwanee, Georgia (Peachtree Ridge)
Size: 6'1" 180 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 220 (No. 22 CB)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: Georgia (82 percent)
Willie Clay built a reputation for being a reliable defensive back in his college and pro days. At Georgia Tech, Clay finished his career with a school-record 16 interceptions. Chad Clay has the tools to be a similar kind of shutdown cover corner.
Clay's parlayed his ball-hawking skills into opportunities to play at several Power Five schools. Georgia and Florida are the two schools to watch, but Ohio State and Tennessee aren't out of the mix. He also has an offer from his father's alma mater.
4-Star ATH Stephen Davis Jr.
6 of 10
Hometown (school): Irmo, South Carolina (Dutch Fork)
Size: 6'4", 215 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 237 (No. 14 ATH)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: Committed to Auburn
Stephen Davis Jr. was a solid pickup for Auburn back in August of last year. Davis is versatile enough to play safety, outside linebacker and tight end. Auburn is looking to use him as a big safety or maybe even a rover.
Like his father, size and versatility is something that will be used as an advantage for Davis. Stephen Sr. played 11 seasons in the NFL as a 6'0", 230-pound running back and fullback. He rushed for a career-high 1,444 yards and helped the Carolina Panthers make it to Super Bowl XXXVIII.
4-Star LB Devin Bush Jr.
7 of 10
Hometown (school): Hollywood, Florida (Charles W. Flanagan)
Size: 6'0", 220 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 250 (No. 8 ILB)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: Florida State (100 percent)
Devin Bush Jr. grew up watching his father play eight seasons in the NFL in the 1990s and 2000s. Devin Sr. was a first-round draft pick selected by the Atlanta Falcons, and he played in two Super Bowls, one with the Falcons (Super Bowl XXXIII) and the other with the St. Louis Rams (XXXIV). Devin Sr. won a ring with the Rams.
Devin Jr. hopes to be equally productive as a football player. Georgia is a potential landing spot, as are UCLA and Michigan, but all signs are pointing to him giving Jimbo Fisher and Florida State a verbal commitment when the time comes.
3-Star WR Michael Irvin Jr.
8 of 10
Hometown (school): Plano, Texas (Prestonwood Christian)
Size: 6'3", 212 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 531 (No. 85 WR)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: Miami (100 percent)
As the son of The Playmaker, Michael Irvin Jr. has big shoes to fill. But if you watch him play, you'll notice that he not only handles pressure well but also plays with a swagger similar to what his Hall of Fame father had at Miami and then ultimately in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys.
The elder Irvin won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys in the 1990s, but before that, he helped Miami win a national championship in 1987. The younger Irvin has Miami on his list, but Georgia, Michigan and SMU also are potential signing spots. The 3-star athlete has the size to be either a big receiver or a flex tight end.
3-Star TE Thaddeus Moss
9 of 10
Hometown (school): Charlotte, North Carolina (Victory Christian Center)
Size: 6'4", 240 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 687 (No. 23 TE)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: No predictions made
It's hard to follow the footsteps of a legendary receiver like Randy Moss, but Thaddeus Moss is doing a good job of making his own tracks. A bigger, thicker version of his father physically, Thaddeus is a flex tight end with great hands and an ability to use his body well to win jump-ball situations against smaller defenders.
Moss' recruiting has picked up since the start of the new year. Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon and West Virginia are among the schools that have offered him.
3-Star DT Zack Gilbert
10 of 10
Hometown (school): Charlotte, North Carolina (South Mecklenburg)
Size: 6'2", 245 lbs
247Sports Composite Rank: No. 837 (No. 56 DE)
247Sports Crystal Ball Prediction: Pittsburgh (67 percent)
Zack Gilbert has had a decent March, and the spring could be the perfect time for him to see his recruiting break wide open. He's the son of Sean Gilbert, who was the third overall pick in the 1992 NFL draft. Sean, a standout defensive tackle, played 11 seasons with four teams in the NFL.
Sean was a stud defensive lineman at Pittsburgh, and Panthers fans are hoping to land his son. North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, West Virginia and Cal are other schools that have offered.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
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