Some study law because their parents studied law. Others go into medicine because it was their parents' occupation.
But to some, football is the "family business."
Such is the case with Maurice Smith, who verbally committed to MSU's football team Sunday night. His father, former defensive tackle Travis Davis, manned the line for MSU during the 1980s.
Even though Smith's family might not be as synonymous with Spartan football as the Thornhills and Ducketts, it joins the ranks of several others with long-running MSU bloodlines.
The Ducketts left their family mark at Spartan Stadium, where brothers Tico and T.J. donned the green and white. "I think a lot of it has to do with tradition," Tico said. "It's just like any other occupation - whatever your family members do, you want to do."
For the most part, Tico said he didn't interfere with his younger brother's decision. T.J. finished his rookie season as a running back for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons last month.
"There were times when someone would say 'You come to this school, and we'll promise you this,'" Tico said. "And I said, 'Everyone will promise you anything to come to their school.'
"I told him I won't be in the classroom or on the field with him, so it's up to him."
But relatives are not always a key factor in where other family members go to play football.
"I left it completely up to Josh," said Charles Thornhill, an MSU linebacker during the 1960s, referring to his son who played the same position for MSU. "I thought for a minute he was going to (Michigan), but he felt growing up in the area, that he should go to MSU.
"I told him, 'If you went to U-M, I'd be rooting for you, but not for U-M.' I'd have to watch from outside - I could never sit in that stadium."
Charles said he wanted to stay out of Josh's decision because young athletes should enjoy the experience of visiting other schools and building their communication skills. Another son, Kaleb, is a member of this year's recruiting class.
Josh said his brother made his own decision, too, but growing up watching Spartan football probably played a role in his determination. Josh now plays for the Detroit Lions.
"He kind of had it in his own mind where he was going," Josh said. "Obviously, with my dad and myself coming here, there's some pressure."
Meanwhile, Smith is ready to come to East Lansing and follow in his father's footsteps - but he still insists his decision to come to MSU was solely his.
"I liked the coach, plus there's a brand new staff, so maybe I'll get some playing time," said Smith, who was also looking at Ohio State and West Virginia.
Smith, a 6-foot-1, 225-pounder, runs a 4.58-second 40-yard dash and is listed on the online recruiting magazine Rivals100.com as the No. 70 linebacker in the nation. He has also played running back with Howland High in Warren, Ohio, but expects to be played as a linebacker when he comes to East Lansing in the fall.
He did say his father's reputation on the field could be beneficial to him.
"I'm really excited," he said. "I think I made the right choice. It was a good thing he went there, so now I'll get some recognition."
