Dre Kirkpatrick, Chris Johnson and Leon Washington are names that every college football should know.
Now, in the year 2023, it's time to learn their names again — with a Jr. on the end. Yes, this story is going to make you feel old, but let's take a look at the best 'juniors' with college football connections in the class of 2024.
Four-star edge rusher Booker Pickett Jr.
Father played defensive end at Miami from 1994-96
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound pass rusher is probably the most highly regarded name on this list, sitting inside the top-200 of nearly every ranking. Through just four games as a senior, Pickett has already logged seven tackles for loss, six sacks, three blocked field goals and a blocked punt. A Miami lean, Pickett could be in line for a huge boost in the rankings thanks to the monster start to his season.
Four-star safety Paul Mencke Jr.
Father played quarterback at Washington State from 1996-2000
The Duke commit holds the highest ranking of any player on this list, with On3 tabbing him as the No. 76 overall player in the class of 2024. He enjoyed a successful summer and beginning of fall, which has seen him skyrocket up more than 60 spots in the On300 rankings. He is currently the second-highest ranked commit in the Blue Devils' 2024 recruiting class.
Four-star cornerback Chris Johnson Jr.
Father played cornerback at Louisville fron 2001-02
No, it's not the Chris Johnson you're thinking of.
The son of a Super Bowl champion defensive back, Johnson has already begun following in the footsteps of his father. As a junior at Aledo, the Arizona State commit recorded 30 tackles, two interceptions, two tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries as the Bearcats took home the state championship. In addition, he is also one of the fastest players in the entire class.
Three-star cornerback Terrence Kiel Jr.
Father played cornerback at Texas A&M from 1999-2002
While Kiel holds nearly a dozen Division I scholarship offers, he has already committed to Texas A&M... as a baseball player. But as football programs across the country have begun reaching out, the 5-foot-11 defensive back has started taking a second look at his academic and athletic future. While his future remains up in the air, Kiel is a name to watch — on the diamond and the gridiron.
Three-star safety Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Father played defensive back at Alabama from 2009-12
Just 12 years after his father starred for the Crimson Tide, the younger Kirkpatrick will begin his career at Alabama — marking the first legacy player of the Nick Saban era in Tuscaloosa. While his father has not yet retired from the NFL, Kirkpatrick Jr. has already begun to make his mark on the football world. However, in a stacked defensive back room at Alabama, a path to immediate playing time looks unlikely.
Three-star athlete Leon Washington Jr.
Father played running back at Florida State from 2002-05
While the younger Washington sits outside the top-1500 recruits in the class of 2024, his father is the most well-known of any name on this list. The elder Washington starred at Florida State before embarking on an NFL career that saw him named to two Pro Bowls and an All-Pro over the span of nine years. Now his son looks to live up to the family name, although it will be as a wide receiver.
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