As the NFL barrels toward Super Bowl LX, just four teams remain in the hunt, and with them, a few former Penn State standouts who are still chasing a ring. While the spotlight often falls on quarterbacks and skill players, it’s the depth guys, the specialists, and the grinders who help shape championship rosters-and this year, a trio of Nittany Lions are still in the mix.
Let’s break down where things stand for Penn State alumni as we head into Championship Weekend, and take a closer look at how they performed in a divisional round that delivered plenty of drama.
Still in the Hunt: Three Nittany Lions Eyeing a Title
Chris Stoll - Long Snapper, Seattle Seahawks
Stoll continues to quietly do his job for a Seahawks team that just dismantled the 49ers.
The long snapper logged 10 special teams snaps in the win, contributing to a strong day from punter Michael Dickson, who averaged 48.3 net yards per punt and dropped two inside the 20. For specialists like Stoll, consistency is everything-and he’s delivering.
Caedan Wallace - Offensive Lineman, New England Patriots
Wallace was inactive for the Patriots’ win over the Texans, but he remains part of a New England squad that’s one win away from the Super Bowl. The 25-year-old has been part of the team’s depth up front, and while he didn’t suit up last weekend, he’s still in the mix if the Patriots make it to the big game.
Jesse Luketa - Linebacker, Los Angeles Rams (Practice Squad)
Luketa hasn’t seen game action yet since joining the Rams’ practice squad in November, but he’s part of a team that pulled off a gritty overtime win against the Bears. Even practice squad players can earn rings, and with the Rams surging at the right time, Luketa’s Super Bowl hopes are still alive.
Standouts in Defeat: Penn Staters Who Made an Impact
Jaquan Brisker - Safety, Chicago Bears
Brisker may not be playing this weekend, but he left it all on the field in the Bears’ overtime loss to the Rams.
The former second-round pick was everywhere-14 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback pressure, and two pass breakups. He played every single defensive snap (78), and his performance was the kind of effort that turns heads league-wide.
Chicago may be out, but Brisker’s arrow is pointing straight up.
DaQuan Jones - Defensive Tackle, Buffalo Bills
Jones started and logged 51 defensive snaps in the Bills’ narrow overtime loss to Denver.
He notched two tackles and added a quarterback pressure, continuing to be a steady presence on the interior. He also chipped in on special teams with eight snaps.
Connor McGovern - Guard/Center, Buffalo Bills
McGovern started at center and played 85% of the offensive snaps before briefly exiting with an injury.
He allowed three pressures, per PFF, but battled through and returned to finish the game. It was a tough, physical outing for the Bills’ offensive line, and McGovern held his own in the trenches.
Jaylen Reed - Safety, Houston Texans
The rookie safety started for Houston and saw 82% of the defensive snaps, finishing with two tackles. It wasn’t a flashy stat line, but Reed continues to gain valuable experience as part of a young Texans secondary that showed promise this season.
Juice Scruggs - C/G, Houston Texans
Scruggs saw limited action, logging four special teams snaps in the loss. The 25-year-old has dealt with injuries this season but remains a versatile depth piece on the Texans' offensive line.
Yetur Gross-Matos - Defensive Lineman, San Francisco 49ers
Gross-Matos recorded two tackles in San Francisco’s lopsided loss to Seattle, playing 18 snaps on defense. The former second-rounder has been a rotational piece for the Niners this season, and while the team fell short, Gross-Matos continues to carve out a role.
Inactives and Non-Participants
Ji’Ayir Brown - Safety, San Francisco 49ers
Brown was inactive due to a hamstring injury suffered in the wild-card round. The 25-year-old had been a key contributor in the Niners' secondary and his absence was felt in the loss to Seattle.
Kevin Givens - Defensive Lineman, San Francisco 49ers
Givens was also inactive for the game, leaving San Francisco shorthanded along the defensive front.
Ryan Bates - Offensive Lineman, Chicago Bears
Bates played just three special teams snaps in the Bears’ loss to the Rams. He’s been a reliable depth option this season, but saw limited action in the playoff defeat.
What’s Next?
As the AFC and NFC Championship Games approach, three former Penn State players remain in the title chase. Whether it’s Chris Stoll quietly doing his job on special teams, Caedan Wallace waiting in the wings, or Jesse Luketa grinding on the practice squad, the Nittany Lions are still represented as the NFL season nears its finale.
And for those who’ve already packed up for the offseason-like Brisker, Jones, and McGovern-their playoff performances showed they’re far from done making noise in this league.