Current SEC players whose fathers had long NFL careers

Following in the footsteps of a successful father can be tough at times, and trying to live in that shadow, I’m sure, can be overbearing.

Five current SEC players are trying to carve out their own way into the NFL and ultimately follow their fathers to the league.

Here’s a rundown:

Bryan Cox, Jr., DE, Florida
Father: Bryan Cox, LB
Buzz: Bryan Cox is set to have a big season with Florida and should help replace the production from Dante Fowler. Bryan Cox Sr. was one of the toughest players to ever play in the NFL. The three-time Pro Bowler had a 12-year NFL career.

Gerald Dixon and Gerald Dixon, Jr., D-linemen, South Carolina
Father: Gerald Dixon, LB
Buzz: How incredible would it be to play college football with your brother? The Dixons are living that out at South Carolina. The elder Dixon played in the NFL for 10 seasons with four different teams: the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals, the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders. He recorded 375 career tackles and 23 sacks.

Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M
Father: Bruce Matthews
Buzz: The Matthews family is good for a first-round pick every other year, right? Mike is a three-year starter for the Aggies entering 2015. His brother, Jake, was also a first-round pick with Texas A&M. Their father, Bruce, has already been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame following his 19-year career, which featured 292 career starts.

Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
Father: Fred Taylor, RB
Buzz: Kelvin Taylor should be embarking on his best season ever with the Gators, but living up to this father will be so tough. The elder Taylor rushed for 3,075 yards and 31 TDs at Florida, but he tore it up in the NFL, rushing for 11,695 yards and 66 TDs during his 13-year NFL career.