Steve McNair Jr. Follows in Father's Footsteps, Except at Line of Scrimmage

His last name gave it away. Everyone assumed Steve McNair Jr., would be a football quarterback.

His late father, Steve McNair, rose from anonymity at Alcorn State to become "Air McNair," a Heisman Trophy candidate known for his passing prowess and the third overall selection of the Houston Oilers in 1995.

McNair, Jr., followed his father's footsteps until the ninth grade, when he first began to contemplate a position change from quarterback. McNair Jr., wanted to catch the football, not throw it. So McNair Jr., immediately sought advice from his father, who offered a message that his son still carries with him today:

Never go against your will.

McNair, Jr., a senior at Hattiesburg (Oak Grove), Miss., has developed into a Division-I prospect at wide receiver. He has received at least five offers -- Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Tulsa and West Virginia -- and has attracted interest from Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Louisville and, yes, Alcorn State, as well.

Again, leaning on advice from his father, McNair Jr., isn't in a hurry to select a college just yet. He has said he doesn't plan to make a decision until after his senior season. McNair Jr., caught 56 passes for 962 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior.

"My dad has taught me everything I know, both on and off the field," McNair Jr., recently told Scout.com.

"I use to play quarterback but I wanted to move to receiver, and he told me to never go against my own will. I moved to receiver that year in ninth grade. He told me to play what ever I wanted to play. I ask him for advise on recruiting all of the time, and he lets me make my own decisions, but I certainly listen to what he has to say. I could not get any better advise. He knows the ropes about everything with football."

For the past two springs, McNair, Jr., and other Oak Grove receivers had the opportunity to catch passes from another NFL legend - Brett Favre. Favre offered tips on route running and drills. College coaches also have made their way to Oak Grove to watch a number of McNair Jr.'s teammates, including fellow receiver Robert Johnson and athlete Jay Hughes.

When it comes time to select a college, McNair Jr., says his decision will be based on need -- not name.

"Most people think they want to go to a big time college, and then they are happy," he told Rivals.com. "I do not want to go to some big time school for the prestige. I just want to go where I am needed, not even necessarily where I like it the most."

While many who watched McNair, Jr., develop as a player believed he would remain at quarterback because of his father, McNair, Jr., has forged his own path.

"He's my father and everybody expects me to follow in his footsteps," McNair, Jr., said.

"I'm going to, but in my own way."