The Big Ten won’t have a team in Super Bowl LX, but it will have a major presence. Between Seattle and New England, more than two dozen Big Ten alumni are set to shape the biggest game of the season — from headline skill players to the trench anchors who define championship football.
Seattle’s Big Ten Playmakers
Seattle leans heavily on Big Ten firepower. Jaxon Smith‑Njigba (Ohio State) enters as one of the league’s most dynamic receivers and a legitimate MVP candidate. Kenneth Walker III (Michigan State) has powered the Seahawks’ postseason run, while Michigan and Minnesota alumni bolster both lines. Add in emerging contributors like AJ Barner (Michigan) and Boye Mafe (Minnesota), and Seattle’s Big Ten core looks ready for the moment.
New England’s Big Ten Backbone
The Patriots counter with a roster built on Big Ten toughness. Mike Onwenu (Michigan) anchors the offensive line, and Christian Gonzalez — who spent Oregon’s transition year in the Big Ten footprint — headlines a young, aggressive secondary. Ohio State and Penn State products populate the trenches, while TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) adds juice to the offense. And let’s not forget that Mike Vrabel, New England’s head coach, was a former Ohio State defensive standout in the 1990s.
A Conference That Shapes the Game
This matchup doubles as a showcase of the Big Ten’s identity: physical, disciplined, and increasingly explosive. Smith‑Njigba vs. Gonzalez is a Big Ten‑bred duel with real game‑tilting potential, and the conference’s linemen on both sides will dictate the rhythm of the night.
Super Bowl LX may be Seahawks vs. Patriots, but it’s also a reminder of how deeply the Big Ten runs through the modern NFL.
