Buckeye Presence Looms Large in Super Bowl 60
As the NFL season barrels toward its grand finale, Super Bowl 60 is shaping up to be more than just a clash between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks - it’s also a showcase of Ohio State talent on football’s biggest stage.
Four former Buckeyes will be suiting up in Santa Clara, and no matter who walks away with the Lombardi Trophy, Ohio State will be represented at the top.
Let’s start with Seattle’s rising star: Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The second-year wideout has blossomed into one of the league’s premier receivers, and his numbers back it up.
Smith-Njigba hauled in 119 catches this season for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns - production that puts him in elite company. And when the lights were brightest in the NFC Championship Game, he delivered again, torching the Rams for 153 yards and a touchdown.
His route-running, hands, and ability to find space in tight coverage have become cornerstones of Seattle’s offense, and he’ll be a key weapon in the Super Bowl game plan.
On the other sideline, the Patriots bring a trio of Buckeyes with them - and a familiar face leading the charge.
Thayer Munford has been a steady presence on New England’s offensive line, anchoring a unit that’s protected the quarterback and opened up running lanes all season long. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has added another dimension to the offense, bringing burst and vision to the backfield. It’s been a strong debut campaign for Henderson, who’s shown flashes of the explosiveness that made him a standout in Columbus.
Then there’s Mike Vrabel - a Buckeye legend now in his first year as head coach of the Patriots. Vrabel has quickly put his stamp on this team, guiding them to a 14-3 record and a return to the Super Bowl stage. His leadership, defensive acumen, and no-nonsense approach have helped reestablish New England as a force in the AFC, and now he’s one win away from adding a Lombardi Trophy to his coaching résumé.
No matter how Super Bowl 60 plays out, one thing is certain: Ohio State’s fingerprints are all over it. From dynamic playmakers to the man calling the shots, the Buckeyes continue to leave their mark on the NFL’s biggest moments.
2027 Cornerback Target Josiah Molden Includes Buckeyes in Final Six
Looking ahead to the next wave of talent, Ohio State is firmly in the mix for one of the top young defensive backs in the 2027 class.
Josiah Molden, a cornerback out of West Linn, Oregon, has narrowed his list of potential college destinations to six programs: Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, USC, Washington, and Miami.
Molden, ranked No. 195 overall and the No. 20 cornerback in the 247Sports composite, is no stranger to the Buckeyes. He camped in Columbus last summer and earned an offer during his visit - a sign that Ohio State’s staff sees major upside in his game.
And there’s pedigree here. Molden comes from a family with deep NFL roots.
His father, Alex, was a first-round pick in 1996, and his brother Elijah was selected in the third round in 2021. That kind of background, combined with his own athleticism and technique, makes Josiah a high-upside prospect with the potential to be a difference-maker at the next level.
If the Buckeyes can land him, it would be another big win for a program that continues to reload its secondary with top-tier talent.