TXHSFB Players with Professional Athlete Dads

Cooper Witten, Argyle Liberty Christian: 

Witten’s father, Jason Witten, is the Dallas Cowboys all-time leader in catches, receiving yards, and games played. His 1,228 career catches rank fourth in NFL history, and he earned 11 Pro Bowl trips. 

Jason has coached his son, Cooper, over the past three seasons at Argyle Liberty Christian, where they won back-to-back TAPPS State Championships in 2023 and 2024. Cooper was named the first five-star in the DCTX 2027 Rankings back in September of 2025. He was limited to seven games as a junior due to injury, but he still displayed his two-way dominance with 87 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 7 forced fumbles at linebacker to go along with 709 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

The father-son connection will continue in college. Jason took the tight ends coaching job at the University of Oklahoma in January, and Cooper committed to the Sooners in March.

Dez Bryant Jr., Southlake Carroll

Dez Bryant throwing up the ‘X’ is one of the first images fans associate with the Dallas Cowboys of the 2010s. He was one of the NFL’s best receivers from 2012 to 2014, with three consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. But he also played with a passion for the game that harkened back to Michael Irvin, making the famous No.88 jersey proud. 

When Bryant attends 7-on-7 tournaments for his son, bystanders wait in line to take selfies with him. Soon, they could be snapping pictures with Dez Bryant Jr. The Class of 2028 prospect from Southlake Carroll has two offers from Texas A&M and Sacramento State. He recently ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the Under Armour Next Camp in Dallas. 

Brian Orakpo Jr., Lake Travis

Lake Travis’s 2028 edge prospect is turning into a spitting image of his father, Brian Orakpo. The Longhorn legend was an All-American and Nagurski Trophy winner as the nation’s best defensive player as a senior at Texas before becoming a four-time Pro Bowler in the NFL. 

Now, Junior is making a name for himself at a storied high school program just over 30 minutes away from where his father became famous. Orakpo Jr. has been named a sleeper prospect by DCTX Director of Recruiting Greg Powers ahead of his junior year. 

Jaylen Addai, Shadow Creek

Joseph Addai was a 1,000-yard rusher in the 2006 and 2007 seasons for the Indianapolis Colts, winning Super Bowl XLI. In high school, Addai was a Class 5A All-State selection at Houston Sharpstown.

Addai’s son, Jaylen, is now a 2028 prospect from Shadow Creek who was recently named as one of the top dual-sport football recruits in the state. Jaylen, a wide receiver, was the District 22-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year and was also a First Team All-District basketball player. He currently holds 28 offers from schools such as Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, LSU, and Ohio State.

BJ LaFell, Shadow Creek

Shadow Creek has two sons of former NFL players in their athletic program. LaFell’s father, Brandon LaFell, was a wide receiver who played for nine seasons in the league and won Super Bowl XLIX with the New England Patriots. 

His son, BJ, is a freshman who already earned First Team All-District honors in basketball, earning a spot on DCTX’s best multi-sport athletes in the state. BJ has 22 offers from the likes of Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, and Ohio State.

Derrick Martin Jr., Lewisville

Derrick Martin Sr. made it to the NFL by guarding wide receivers, playing from 2006-13 and winning two Super Bowls. His son, Derrick Martin Jr., is attempting to make it to the NFL as a wide receiver. He earned unanimous First Team All-District 5-6A honors and holds 28 offers including TCU, SMU, Ole Miss, and Oregon.

Colton Nussmeier, Flower Mound Marcus

Nussmeier doesn’t just have an NFL dad, he’s about to have an NFL brother, too. 

His father, Doug Nussmeier, was a professional quarterback who is currently the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator. He won Super Bowl LIX as the Philadelphia Eagles’ QB coach. 

Nussmeier’s brother, Garrett, was the most prolific first-year starter in LSU Tigers history in 2024 before an injury-plagued 2025 season. He’s now a Day Two NFL Draft prospect. 

Colton was a unanimous First Team All-District 5-6A quarterback selection as a junior at Flower Mound Marcus. He was recently named a top performer at the Elite 11 by DCTX.

Amari Vickerson, Cypress Ranch

Amari’s father, Kevin Vickerson, was a four-year defensive lineman at Michigan State before a 10-year professional football career that included seven teams. That even included a stint in NFL Europe, where he was named First Team All-NFL Europa as a member of the Cologne Centurions.

Amari earned unanimous First Team All-District 16-6A honors as a junior defensive lineman at Cypress Ranch with 50 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks. The 6-foot-4-inch, 290-pound prospect is committed to SMU.

Trenton Blaylock, Humble Atascocita

Blaylock’s father, Derrick Blaylock, was a three-time all-district running back selection at Atlanta High School in Texas. After rushing for 1,300 yards in his sole season starting at Stephen F. Austin, he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He had a five-year career in the NFL with the Chiefs and New York Jets.

His son, Trenton Blaylock, is a cornerback for Humble Atascocita who earned Second Team All-District 16-6A honors. He’s also inherited his father’s track speed, running a verified 10.56 100m dash in February 2026.

CJ Whaley, Atlanta

Chris Whaley was a team captain for the University of Texas in 2013 before spending time with the Dallas Cowboys. He is the first defensive tackle in Longhorn history to have two defensive touchdowns in one season.

Now, his son, CJ, is scoring touchdowns too, albeit in a more conventional way as a 6-foot-5-inch wide receiver. CJ earned First Team All-District 8-3A DI honors as a sophomore at Atlanta High School. He currently holds 16 offers from Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, and Florida.

Bryson Dossett, Fort Bend Ridge Point

It feels like there’s been a Dossett dominating TXHSFB in a Fort Bend Ridge Point jersey for half a decade. Bryson’s older brother, Mason, was a wide receiver, running back, and safety for the Panthers in the Class of 2024, who now plays for LSU. Bryson took the torch in 2025 by earning First Team All-District 21-6A honors at safety. 

Their father, Martin Dossett, was a four-year letterman in football and a track sprinter at Baylor University from 1997-2000. He also played in three professional football leagues: the NFL (Green Bay Packers), NFL Europe, and Indoor Football League.