Iowa football: Top father and son duos in Hawkeyes history

3 of 4

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Kyle Kempt #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones drops back to throw during the second half under pressure from defensive end Anthony Nelson #98 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Jeff and Anthony Nelson

I don’t know about you, but I had no idea Anthony Nelson’s father played for the Iowa football program until conducting research prior to writing this piece. Unlike the Epenesas where I knew who Eppy was before AJ stepped foot on campus (in large part because there was a lot of attention on Epenesa’s recruitment), Anthony’s Iowa football heritage largely flies under the radar.

Prior to being a standout defensive end for the Hawks, Anthony’s dad played for Hayden Fry in the early 90’s lettering three times from 1990 to 1992 and experiencing a Rose Bowl in 1990 and a Holiday Bowl in 1991.

Although Anthony has similar familial ties as AJ does to the Iowa football program, the younger Nelson’s path was a little bit different as he first committed to Iowa’s in-state rival Iowa State before eventually making the right decision, decommitting and joining the Iowa football program.

Nelson would redshirt in year one, but he broke out big his redshirt freshman season registering 6 sacks despite starting just one game. He would go on to start his final two seasons finishing with 23 total sacks and 119 tackles for his career and earning second-team All-Big Ten honors.

Nelson was selected by the Bucs in the fourth round of this year’s draft, and because of his impact on the program and his father Jeff earning three letters in his time with Iowa, this father/son duo made the list.