Son of Ex-Bills Star Willis McGahee Makes College Decision

In perhaps the latest reminder to millennials that they're getting old, the son of turn-of-the-century Buffalo Bills star Willis McGahee is going to college. 

The younger McGahee, Willis IV, made his collegiate commitment on Saturday, as he's set to make his way to Nebraska in 2024. 

Unlike his speedy father, well-known for his accomplishments at running back between the University of Miami and an 11-year NFL career that began in Buffalo in 2003, Willis IV has made a name for himself as a linebacker at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. Previous CCHS stars include current Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and New England Patriots pass-rusher Josh Uche.

While McGahee IV, well known for his pass-rushing endeavors at CCHS, did not receive an offer from his father's alma mater, he did attract the attention of Power Five schools like Auburn, Michigan, and Tennessee. He came in at the 24th spot in 247Sports' ranking of the Class of 2024's linebackers, with Rivals placing him in 41st in the same category. 

Nebraska is looking to pick up its pieces after pulling the plug on the Scott Frost era, one that produced no winning seasons in his four-plus years at the helm. The Cornhuskers allowed over 414 yards per game last season (12th amongst the Big Ten's 14 teams) and haven't reached a bowl game since 2016. Former Baylor boss Matt Rhule, who most recently wore the Carolina Panthers' top headset, has been called in to clean up the mess and has made an early mark with a nationally expansive recruiting class.

The elder McGahee's NFL career is perhaps best known for his first seasons in Buffalo. While his Bills career ended in a trade to the Baltimore Ravens in 2007, McGahee put up 3,365 yards and 24 scores in his first three professional seasons. Ironically, McGahee's son moves on to the team his father's Miami Hurricanes beat in the 2001-02 college football national title game. 

Though he did not appear in the 37-14 victory, McGahee, then a freshman, was part of an electrifying rushers' room that also included fellow future NFL stars Clinton Portis and Frank Gore. Behind McGahee's 2,108 yards from scrimmage in the following year, Miami returned to the national title game before the Bills took him with the 23rd overall pick in the 2003 draft.

Nebraska opens its 2023 season on Aug. 31 against conference foe Minnesota.