From the Blue Turf to the Biggest Stage: Boise State Alums George Holani and DeMarcus Lawrence Win Super Bowl LX
Two former Boise State Broncos are now Super Bowl champions - and their paths to the top couldn’t have been more different.
Running back George Holani and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence both hoisted the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night as members of the Seattle Seahawks, who took down the New England Patriots 29-13 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. For both players, it was their first Super Bowl ring - but while Holani is just getting started, Lawrence's journey was more than a decade in the making.
Let’s start with Holani, the rookie back who made the most of his limited opportunities. He logged two carries for six yards and added a seven-yard reception in the win, contributing in a supporting role as Seattle’s RB3. It might not jump off the stat sheet, but for a player who went undrafted less than two years ago, it was a fitting cap to a quietly impressive rookie campaign.
Holani’s college resume speaks for itself. A five-year contributor at Boise State from 2019 to 2023, he helped lead the Broncos to Mountain West titles in both his freshman and senior seasons.
He finished his collegiate career with 3,569 rushing yards, 26 touchdowns on the ground, and added 88 catches for 777 yards and eight scores through the air. Despite that production, Holani didn’t hear his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But Seattle saw something they liked, signing him to the practice squad before promoting him to the active roster in December. By the end of the 2025 season, he had carved out a role, tallying 27 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown - and now, a Super Bowl ring to show for it.
Then there’s Lawrence - the veteran edge rusher whose championship moment was a long time coming.
Before he was wreaking havoc in NFL backfields, Lawrence was a dominant force on the blue turf at Boise State. After a redshirt year at Butler Community College, he transferred to Boise and quickly became a cornerstone of the defense.
In just 23 games over the 2012 and 2013 seasons, Lawrence racked up 120 total tackles, 20 sacks, 34 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and an interception. His explosive play earned him a second-round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft - 34th overall - by the Dallas Cowboys.
Lawrence spent 11 seasons in Dallas, and while he helped lead the Cowboys to six playoff appearances, the team never made it past the divisional round. After the 2024 season, Lawrence made a bold move, departing Dallas and signing with Seattle in free agency. He made it clear: he wanted to win a Super Bowl, and he didn’t believe it was going to happen with the Cowboys.
That bet paid off.
At 33 years old, Lawrence was a difference-maker for the Seahawks in 2025. He posted 60 total tackles, eight sacks, and forced six fumbles - three of which came in the playoffs - while recovering three more. His veteran presence and relentless motor were key pieces of a Seattle defense that powered the team all the way to a championship.
For Boise State fans, seeing two former Broncos on the sport’s biggest stage - and walking away with rings - is a proud moment. Holani represents the next wave of talent, a player who overcame the odds to earn his spot. Lawrence, meanwhile, is the seasoned vet who finally got the ending he deserved.
Different roads, same destination. From Boise to the Super Bowl, Holani and Lawrence are now part of football’s most exclusive club.