Meet Jerome Bettis Jr. and the many sons of NFL legends on Notre Dame

Meet Jerome Bettis Jr. and the many sons of NFL legends on Notre Dame originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Under head coach Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame has built a sustainable program that has a chance to win the National Championship every season.

Part of that recipe seems to be recruiting sons of former NFL greats.

The 2026 Notre Dame football team is full of players related to former NFL players, giving the program players who already know what football careers are like. Specifically, there are seven members of the Fighting Irish roster whose fathers played in the NFL.

That group of former players includes three Hall of Famers, four Super Bowl champions and even three players who won the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Not only do the Notre Dame players come with talent, but they also grew up with the character that football coaches typically love.

Here's a breakdown of which Fighting Irish players come from football lineage.

MORE: Notre Dame QB C.J. Carr's family tree

NFL sons on Notre Dame football team

Who is Jerome Bettis' son?

Jerome Bettis Jr. is a wide receiver in his second season with the Fighting Irish. Bettis Jr. played in just one game as a freshman, but now has seen more action as his role in the offense expands.

Jerome Bettis Jr. with the JUKE. 😱 📺 Notre Dame Football on NBC & Peacock https://t.co/S4B2KjnHas

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 12, 2026

Who is Plaxico Burress' son?

Like his father, Elijah Burress is a wide receiver in his second season with the Fighting Irish. Burress has provided depth at wide receiver in his first two seasons, but has already seen an increased role in the offense.

A PERFECT spiral straight into the chest of Elijah Burress. 😮‍💨 📺 Stanford at Notre Dame on NBC & Peacock https://t.co/ySdHcemyQQ

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 10, 2026

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Who is Larry Fitzgerald's son?

Devin Fitzgerald is a freshman wide receiver who committed to Notre Dame before the 2026 season. He was a four-star recruit out of high school and is getting some playing time early in his Notre Dame career.

That No. 11 looks familiar. Here's your first look at Devin Fitzgerald, son of Larry, in a Notre Dame uniform. Fitzgerald looks the part as a true freshman. https://t.co/k24Wyvbzkc

— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) March 21, 2026

Who is Jermichael Finley's son?

Former NFL tight end Jermichael Finley's son, Kaydon Finley, is another wide receiver for the Fighting Irish.

Thus far in his freshman season, Finley has not recorded a stat, even though he saw minimal action in a few games.

Who is Bryant Young's son

Bryce Young, the son of Hall of Fame defensive lineman Bryant Young, is a defensive lineman himself. Now in his third season with the Fighting Irish, Young has played in every game for Notre Dame since his freshman season and is a key piece of the defensive line.

Notre Dame EDGE Bryce Young (#95) was unblockable against Purdue It’s starting to click https://t.co/jsNaOOuwZE

— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) September 27, 2026

Who is Thomas Davis' son?

Thomas Davis Jr. is a freshman linebacker for Notre Dame looking to follow in his father's footsteps. Davis Jr. has already found a role for the Fighting Irish defense in limited action.

Who is Jim Flanigan Jr.'s son?

Jim Flanigan Jr. was an offensive lineman for 10 years in the NFL, and now his son is a tight end for the Fighting Irish. James Flanigan is a sophomore who, like many of his teammates, had a quiet freshman season but has begun to grow in his second year.

NOTRE DAME SCORES! ☘️ James Flanigan hauls in their first touchdown of the season! 📺 Wisconsin vs. #4 Notre Dame on NBC & Peacock https://t.co/eAi4U8LL1n

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 7, 2026

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Why Notre Dame has so many NFL connections

While Notre Dame has many sons of former football players on its roster, that isn't necessarily by design. Instead, the Fighting Irish program offers many characteristics that those recruits covet in a school.

"Honestly, we're not intentionally targeting them," Notre Dame general manager Mike Martin said, via Forbes. "I wouldn't say that we're making it a point to go specifically target these guys, but I think they’re drawn to us because of all the things that we offer."

Children of NFL players have different perspectives when considering how to approach their football careers. They saw how short their fathers' careers were, making it so they prioritize not only football development but possible career paths beyond football as well.

Additionally, Notre Dame academic expectations and accountability are more appealing to recruits who value more than just football. Former safety Ryan Clark, whose son Jordan spent the 2024 season with Notre Dame, explained what is so appealing about Marcus Freeman's program.

"For me, it was about the accountability that they had, both as players and as people to be told, 'Listen, you have to show up for class. You’re going to be expected to do that,'" Clark said, via Forbes. "This isn't a school that will allow you to skirt that responsibility."

Teenagers who grew up around professional football players seem more willing to take on tougher coaching and accountability. To Freeman's credit, he has built a program that is appealing to former players.

Carrying on legacies and creating their own ☘️ Jerome Bettis Jr., Devin Fitzgerald, Kaydon Finley, and Elijah Burress were featured on the Today Show with their former-NFL player dads. #GoIrish☘️ | @TODAYshow https://t.co/aurp7MfrIw

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 9, 2026

The players also see a benefit in playing with other football sons.

Kaydon Finley said, "It's really cool to be surrounded by other NFL sons," while Devin Fitzgerald added, "It's just cool having a few of those guys on the team with you that you can always talk to and share experiences with."