In 1997, Wolverines cornerback Charles Woodson defeated Peyton Manning to become the first defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy, and nearly three decades later, his son will now get a chance to star for the same Michigan program.

Charles Woodson Jr., a three-star safety from Lake Nona High School in Orlando, committed to the Wolverines on Friday just under a year after he was offered by the program, according to multiple reports.

Woodson Jr., a member of the Class of 2027, was ranked as the No. 82 safety nationally and the 75th-best prospect in Florida for his recruiting class, according to his 247Sports page.

He also collected offers from Kentucky, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Florida State and others, and during his junior season with Lake Nona last fall, Woodson Jr. collected eight passes defended, two interceptions, 73 total tackles and one interception returned for a touchdown, according to On3.com.

“I think they have a genuine interest in junior, not because of dad,” Lake Nona head coach David Aubrey told On3.com. “I think that’s going to be the storyline, dad-son, but they have a genuine interest in Charles and they showed that. The whole staff came down to see him in January. I never experienced that in coaching. Literally the whole staff came down. Pretty cool opportunity for him. 

“Obviously he’s going to have big shoes to fill because the narrative will always be how well does he match up compared to what his dad did. But I think he’s up for the challenge.” 

Safeties coach Tyler Stockton served as Woodson Jr.’s primary recruiter, and despite the change at the top of the Wolverines’ coaching staff recently after Sherrone Moore was fired for cause — while also being subsequently arrested and later sentenced to 18 months probation — and replaced by former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.

Woodson starred for the Wolverines from 1995-97, and after his final campaign, when Michigan finished with an undefeated record, Woodson was awarded the Heisman Trophy after intercepting seven passes, recording 43 tackles and catching 11 passes for 231 yards.

He was selected No. 4 overall by the Raiders in the 1998 NFL Draft and compiled an 18-year career with nine Pro Bowl appearances in a Hall of Fame career.

And now, with his son on the cusp of a professional career of his own, everything, once again, will start at Michigan for the Woodsons.

“He’s always been poised,” Aubrey told On3.com of Woodson Jr. “And what’s really cool, his dad has never shown that he’s strongly influenced him to attend Michigan. He allowed him to choose his own path and that’s really cool.”