Idaho Ties Run Deep in Super Bowl LX: Four Players with Gem State Roots Set for the NFL’s Biggest Stage
When Super Bowl LX kicks off in Santa Clara this Sunday, it won’t just be the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks battling for football’s ultimate prize-it’ll also be a showcase for four players with strong Idaho connections, each carving out their own path to the sport’s biggest stage.
The Patriots (17-3) and Seahawks (16-3) will meet at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. Mountain time on NBC. Seattle enters the game as a 4.5-point favorite, and while the national spotlight will shine brightest on the quarterbacks and head coaches, Idaho football fans have plenty of reason to tune in.
Let’s break down how each of these Idaho-connected players helped their teams get here-and what their journeys say about perseverance, opportunity, and the unpredictability of the NFL postseason.
Christian Elliss, LB - New England Patriots
Christian Elliss is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage. The former Idaho Vandal linebacker is making his second appearance in the big game, though this time he’s hoping for a better outcome.
Elliss was on the Eagles’ roster when they fell to the Chiefs in 2023. Now, he’s a key contributor for a Patriots defense that’s been playing its best football at the right time.
In the AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos, Elliss delivered one of the most impactful performances of his career: four tackles, a sack, a QB hurry, and a forced fumble just before halftime that set up a Patriots touchdown two plays later. The twist? He was facing off against his brother, Jonah Elliss, a linebacker for the Broncos and fellow Idaho native.
“Holding my brother after the game, that’s not a feeling I ever want to replicate,” Elliss said on the field afterward. “I’m fine with winning.
I’m so happy we did. But I know what he’s feeling.
It’s bittersweet, for sure.”
Elliss has been a steady force all season for New England, starting 15 of the 18 games he’s played and racking up a career-high 94 tackles during the regular season. In the playoffs, he’s added another 16, continuing to show why he’s become a trusted piece of the Patriots’ defensive puzzle.
With his Super Bowl appearance, Elliss becomes the 16th Idaho Vandal to make it to the NFL’s final game, joining a legacy that includes names like Jerry Kramer, Mark Schlereth, Mike Iupati, and Shiloh Keo.
George Holani, RB - Seattle Seahawks
For George Holani, the path to Super Bowl LX wasn’t smooth-but it’s one he’s made the most of. The Boise State product was activated just in time for the NFC Championship after missing several weeks with a hamstring injury. And when his number was called, he delivered.
Serving as the backup to Kenneth Walker III, Holani contributed in both the run and pass game in the Seahawks’ 31-27 win over the Rams. He finished with three receptions for 27 yards and three carries for four yards-modest numbers on paper, but a crucial contribution for a player coming off IR and stepping into a bigger role after Zach Charbonnet went down with an ACL injury in the divisional round.
“It was remarkable,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said. “He hasn’t played in how many weeks?
Normally, when you got a guy coming off IR, they need some time to get ready to go, but tribute to him and our training staff for having him in shape. It just shows you-you’ve got to stay ready.
All 70 guys, we need everybody.”
Holani’s regular season was limited, but he still found ways to make an impact: 22 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown, two catches for 15 yards, and 387 yards on 16 kick returns. His most memorable moment? Recovering a kickoff in the end zone for a touchdown in Seattle’s Week 2 win over Pittsburgh-a play that showcased his instincts and hustle.
Now, he’s got a shot to cap off his rookie season with a Super Bowl ring.
Lan Larison, RB - New England Patriots
Lan Larison’s rookie season didn’t go according to plan, but the Vallivue High alum is still part of a Super Bowl roster-and that’s no small feat.
After signing with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of UC Davis, Larison looked promising in preseason action, logging seven carries for 35 yards and a touchdown, along with two catches and a 25-yard kick return. But a broken foot in the preseason opener against Washington ended his year before it really began.
Though he’s been on injured reserve all season, Larison remains part of the Patriots’ extended roster. And if New England comes out on top Sunday, he’ll likely be among those receiving a Super Bowl ring-a silver lining to a challenging rookie campaign.
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE - Seattle Seahawks
After 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, DeMarcus Lawrence is finally getting his shot at a Super Bowl-and he’s earned every bit of it.
The Boise State alum signed with Seattle this past offseason and has been a difference-maker on a defensive front that’s come alive in the playoffs. In the NFC Championship Game against the Rams, Lawrence notched two tackles and a sack of Matthew Stafford, helping the Seahawks punch their ticket to Santa Clara.
“I’m truly blessed and thankful to be a part of this great organization, this great team that we’ve put together,” Lawrence told CBS after the game. “The words can’t even explain this moment.”
His regular season was rock-solid: 53 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries-two of which he returned for touchdowns. In the postseason, he’s turned it up a notch with five tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, four QB hits and a pass deflection.
At age 33, Lawrence has waited a long time for this opportunity. Now, he's anchoring a Seahawks defense that will be tasked with slowing down a Patriots offense that’s found its rhythm late in the year.
Final Thoughts
From seasoned veterans like Lawrence to breakout contributors like Elliss and Holani, Idaho’s football talent will be well-represented when the lights shine brightest on Sunday. Whether they’re making plays on the field or supporting from the sideline, these players have all taken different roads to get here-but they’ll share the same goal in Santa Clara: walking off the field as a Super Bowl champion.