Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football
Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Whether fans are ready or not, the next wave of athletes has a high chance of making one feel old.
Advertisement
The athletes that many of us grew up watching now have children set to hit the college or professional ranks. While these players are scattered throughout the country, there seems to be a hotbed forming in Austin, Texas, at the most important position in football.
Following the departure of Quinn Ewers, who was drafted in the seventh round with the 231st overall pick by the Miami Dolphins, the Longhorns will turn to former five-star and No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, Arch Manning. Although he has two starts under his belt, fans have long been clamoring for the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning to take over.
While the Manning name has plenty of notoriety, the Texas quarterback room has a chance to be headlined by the son of a former pro athlete for years to come.
The Longhorns hold a commitment from 2026 five-star Dia Bell, the son of former Phoenix Suns star and two-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, Raja Bell. They are also in the mix for a 2027 four-star Gunner Rivers, who is the son of eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback, Philip Rivers.
Advertisement
With Steve Sarkisian and Texas having a chance to obtain so much potential star power with famous relatives, fans online are taking notice.
"Which would be indicative of NFL QBs believing in Sark's QB development," pointed out one fan.
"That'd be insane," said another.
"I sense a pattern there 🤔," suspected a third.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning takes the field before his team's College Football Playoff game against the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Dec. 21, 2024.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
As it stands, Rivers doesn't hold an offer from the Longhorns, but the No. 1 player in Alabama did recently attend a camp.
"My first time here, it went well, enjoyed, and good talking to all the coaches," Gunner Rivers told On3 about his Longhorns visit. "I had a great time."
This past season for St. Michael Catholic, he threw for 3,927 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading his team to the semifinals of Alabama's 4A playoffs. As for Bell, he threw for 2,597 yards with 29 touchdowns while leading American Heritage to a 9-2 record before he suffered a season-ending injury in the playoffs.
Advertisement
While there's a chance this quarterback succession of relatives of former pros doesn't happen, Texas is clearly on track to attract the biggest names for years to come.
Related: Rule of Legendary NFL Coach May Prevent Arch Manning From Entering 2026 NFL Draft
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox Sports
10 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Bills RB James Cook present for team's mandatory practice amid contract concerns, AP source says
Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team's three-day mandatory series of practices on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because coach Sean McDermott isn't scheduled to address the media until later in the day. The Athletic first reported Cook was present at the team's facility. Cook's attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He was the NFL's co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 last year, and skipped Buffalo's six previous spring practices and month-long workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas. In February, Cook informally began his public negotiation by posting the message '15 mill year' on his Instagram account. A month later, during an appearance on a podcast with former NFLers Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Cook said, 'Pay me the big bucks,' and adding, 'I want to get what I asked for.' He also made the case for his fellow NFL running backs being underpaid in saying: 'I feel like we deserve to get paid,' and asking, 'How (are) we not valuable?' In April, Cook listed his Buffalo-area home as being for sale. General manager Brandon Beane has on several occasions noted how much he respects and values Cook, while also acknowledging the two sides aren't on the same page in contract talks. In late March, Beane specifically referenced Cook in announcing he was cutting off contract discussions to focus on the draft. 'Just because we don't have James signed today doesn't mean next year we still can't get him done before he gets to free agency,' Beane said. 'We want him to have success. We're rooting for him ... But we are where we are, and there's no hard feelings from us.' Cook proved to be the odd-man out in Beane's offseason binge of signing core players to multiyear contract extensions. The group was made up of quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford. Cook's 16 touchdowns rushing matched a Bills single-season record set by O.J. Simpson, and he also scored two more receiving. He was part of a Bills offense that finished second in the NFL in averaging more than 30 points per outing. After scoring just two touchdowns rushing in each of his first two seasons, Cook's jump in production coincided with Joe Brady's first full season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator, and the team's initiative to have Allen rush less to reduce exposing him to injury. ___ AP NFL: recommended


USA Today
12 minutes ago
- USA Today
What are draft experts saying about Sixers prospect VJ Edgecombe?
What are draft experts saying about Sixers prospect VJ Edgecombe? When it comes to the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers will have plenty of options. They can turn to the likes of Rutgers star Ace Bailey--or his teammate Dylan Harper if the San Antonio Spurs have different plans at No. 2--Duke's Kon Knueppel, or Baylor's VJ Edgecombe. Bailey has been the popular option for the Sixers in most mock drafts, but the other names mentioned--outside of Harper--have been options as well. The Sixers will be looking to add a talented young piece to a roster in need of youth, and while Bailey has been a popular choice, one has reason to believe that Edgecombe could be a better player long term. Here's what the draft experts at The Ringer have to say about Edgecombe: The smooth, frictionless explosion off one or two feet. The sheer elevation. The paraglider hang time. Edgecombe's run-jump ability is a sight to behold—there may be only a handful of players in the NBA who can match his blend of dynamic athleticism. He has absolute trust in his physical gifts, which grants him a certain level of on-court freedom not afforded to most players. Under those auspices, Edgecombe has honed an anticipatory sixth sense most commonly seen in shutdown cornerbacks. He has the skills, motor, and reaction speed to become one of the best shot-blocking guards in the NBA, to go along with his passing-lane ball hawking. And he has more of a proof of concept than most NCAA players his age, having shown off these abilities at some of the highest levels of international competition. Edgecombe was, at worst, the third-best player on the Bahamian national basketball team in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, on a roster that also featured Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon. Edgecombe averaged a superb 2.1 steals per game in 2024-25 for the Bears and one has to wonder how that will translate to the league. He has the potential to be an absolute terror on the defensive end of the floor and one has to believe he is going to be able to be a candidate for the All-Defensive Team every year. He also has an ability to knock down an open 3 so that will be a big help.


USA Today
12 minutes ago
- USA Today
Should the Seahawks sign LB Germaine Pratt?
Should the Seahawks sign LB Germaine Pratt? Cornerback Jaire Alexander wasn't the lone notable NFL player to be released from his contract on Monday. The Cincinnati Bengals cut ties with veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt. Could the Seattle Seahawks have interest in adding an off-ball defender of Pratt's caliber? Pratt requested a trade away from the Bengals in February, but a deal never materialized. The former NC State standout finished 10th in tackles last season with 143 takedowns. Those workhorse numbers could always appeal to a defensive-minded head coach like Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks currently have Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight at off-ball linebacker. Jones was re-signed earlier this offseason after recording 94 tackles in 10 games last year. Knight, a fourth-round rookie, exploded onto the scene late, totaling 88 tackles. Though Pratt's tackle numbers were great, the analytics indicate he performed rather poorly last season. Pro Football Focus credited him with a lackluster 53.4 grade in coverage. Coverage used to be Pratt's strong suit, so it's a potential warning sign that he's declining with age. The Seahawks have an ascending linebacker in Knight on an affordable rookie contract. Signing Pratt would potentially stunt his growth, and it's doubtful he'd agree to come to Seattle in a reserve backup role. Ultimately, the Seahawks shouldn't show any interest in signing Pratt.