Brandon Jacobs was a force of nature on the football field, a 6-foot-4, 264-pound wrecking ball who helped the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles. But if you thought Jacobs was imposing, wait until you see him next to his son, Brayden. The elder Jacobs, now 42, shared a photo on X after Brayden’s high school graduation, and it’s a sight to behold. Brayden, an 18-year-old offensive tackle from Milton High School in Georgia, towers over his dad at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, making Brandon look almost petite by comparison. It’s a reminder that the NFL gene pool runs deep, and Brayden’s committed to carrying on the family legacy at Clemson, where he’ll suit up for the Tigers starting this fall.
Brayden’s journey to Clemson is just beginning, but the stage is set for a big impact. The Tigers kick off their 2025 season at home against LSU on August 30 at 7:30 p.m. EST, and with only three players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, Clemson’s returning core is hungry. Brayden, a four-star recruit, is expected to be a key piece of that puzzle, bringing his massive frame and athleticism to a program that’s always in the mix. It’s a far cry from Brandon’s college days, which saw him bounce from Coffeyville to Auburn before finishing at Southern Illinois in 2004. The Giants snatched him up in the fourth round (110th overall) in 2005, pairing him with Ahmad Bradshaw to form a dynamic backfield that terrorized defenses.
Brandon’s Giants tenure was legendary, not just for the Super Bowl wins in 2007 and 2011, but for his sheer dominance. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns with 60, despite having the sixth-most carries (1,136) among Giants running backs. That’s five more than Tiki Barber, and only four players (Barber, Rodney Hampton, Joe Morris, and Saquon Barkley) have more rushing yards than his 5,087. What’s wild is that those four got way more carries, making Brandon’s efficiency and impact even more impressive. His pivotal fourth-down conversion in Super Bowl 42, setting up Eli Manning’s game-winning touchdown to Plaxico Burress, is etched in Giants history.
Today’s NFL doesn’t see many “power backs” like Brandon, but Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens is a rare exception at 6-foot-3, 247 pounds. Brayden, though, is in a league of his own, a mountain of a man who’s already turning heads. His commitment to Clemson is a big deal, not just for the Tigers but for football fans everywhere who love seeing the next generation step up. Brandon’s legacy is secure, but Brayden’s got the potential to carve out his own path, starting with that LSU game. It’s a family story that’s got everyone watching, wondering just how far this giant duo can go. For now, though, it’s all about Brayden’s next chapter, and if his dad’s anything to go by, it’s going to be a wild ride.
