Other than Marvin Harrison Jr., Frank Gore Jr. is another legacy prospect to look out for this summer, as he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft after playing four seasons for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
Frank Gore Jr. is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps since he also plays the running back position. But unlike many other kids of famous athletes who have failed to meet expectations, Frank Gore Jr. has the potential to become one of the best, at least according to his dad.
“Very good football player. Tough. Great eyes. Great feet. He’s going to do whatever it takes that the team that drafts him made the right decision,” said Frank Gore, who has been a personnel advisor for the San Francisco 49ers since 2023, via Cam Inman.
“He’s got top-end speed. Some days he can go, some days he won’t. Great vision. Great heart. Stronger than what people think, but a good football player, man,” he added.
Frank Gore Jr.’s time with Southern Miss
To say that Frank Gore Jr. was productive at Southern Miss is an understatement. The younger Gore amassed 4,022 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns on 759 rushes, while also posting 75 receptions for 692 receiving yards and 26 receiving touchdowns.
During the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier this month, Gore Jr. took home the game’s MVP honors, highlighted by his 49-yard touchdown run during a third-and-1.
“Everybody questioned him about the level he’d been playing, and at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he killed that,” said Frank Gore. “He had a great week. That let him know he’s a football player.”
“I’m happy he got to play with Power Five guys at the Shrine Bowl and look how it came out. He had a great week of practice, and a lot of people felt he was the best one at the position. That’s a plus,” he added.
Frank Gore Jr.’s potential fit with the San Francisco 49ers
With 11 total picks to work with, the San Francisco 49ers could theoretically use one to take a flyer on Frank Gore Jr. The elder Gore was picked No. 65 by the team in 2005, and they could pull off something similar with his kid.
If San Francisco ultimately does this, don’t expect Frank Gore Jr. to make an impact right away, as many believe that he’s a project that could learn from the likes of Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel.