Two former NC State standouts are headed to the biggest stage in football.
Center Garrett Bradbury and defensive tackle Cory Durden played key roles in helping the New England Patriots edge out the Denver Broncos, 10-7, on Sunday afternoon - a gritty win that secured their spot in the 2026 Super Bowl. For both players, it’s a career milestone, and for NC State, it’s another proud moment in a growing legacy of sending talent to the NFL’s grandest stage.
Bradbury, in his first season with New England after six years with the Vikings, anchored the Patriots’ offensive line from start to finish. He didn’t miss a single snap, providing steady protection in a game where every inch mattered. His presence in the middle helped stabilize an offense that leaned heavily on ball control and field position in a defensive slugfest.
On the other side of the ball, Durden continued his breakout campaign with another impactful performance. The defensive tackle logged 26 snaps, registering a tackle and two quarterback pressures - small numbers on the stat sheet, but big plays in a game where defensive disruption was the name of the game. His energy and physicality in the trenches were part of a collective effort that frustrated Denver’s offense all afternoon.
With this win, Bradbury and Durden become the 11th and 12th former NC State players to reach the Super Bowl as players - adding to a list that includes names like Russell Wilson, Torry Holt, and Joe Thuney. And speaking of Thuney, his six Super Bowl appearances remain a towering achievement, tied for second-most in NFL history behind only Tom Brady’s ten.
Here’s a look at the full list of NC State players who’ve made it to the Super Bowl:
- Joe Thuney - 6
- Jim Ritcher - 4
- Mike Cofer - 2
- Perry Williams - 2
- Mike Jones - 2
- Torry Holt - 2
- Russell Wilson - 2
- **J.R.
Sweezy - 2**
- Steven Hauschka - 2
- Garrett Bradbury - 1
- Cory Durden - 1
And while he didn’t play in the game, former NC State head coach Bill Cowher made two Super Bowl appearances as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers - a reminder that the Wolfpack’s influence has stretched beyond the field and into NFL leadership as well.
But this moment is especially sweet for Bradbury and Durden, each carving their own path to this point.
For Bradbury, the former first-round pick, this Super Bowl trip is a payoff for years of steady development. After anchoring Minnesota’s line for six seasons, he’s now become a key cog in a Patriots team that’s found its identity through tough, physical football - the kind of style that suits Bradbury’s game to a tee.
Durden’s journey, meanwhile, is the kind of story that reminds us why we love this sport. Undrafted and overlooked, he started the year on the Patriots’ practice squad.
But he kept grinding, earned a roster spot, and not only stuck around - he thrived. After playing just eight games combined with the Rams and Giants over his first two seasons, Durden has now suited up for every game this year.
His reward? A trip to the Super Bowl and the second-highest overall Pro Football Focus grade on the Patriots’ defense.
It’s been a big year for both players - and an even bigger moment for NC State, which continues to build a reputation as a pipeline for NFL talent. With Bradbury and Durden now on the sport’s biggest stage, the Wolfpack legacy grows stronger.