Oregon’s Footprint on Super Bowl LX: From College Standouts to NFL Sunday
The Super Bowl may be played on neutral ground, but for a few players in this year’s showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the journey to football’s biggest stage started a little closer to home-on high school fields in Portland and college campuses in Eugene and Corvallis.
Let’s take a closer look at the Oregon-connected players who’ve earned their place in Super Bowl LX, each with a unique path but a shared destination: the NFL’s grandest spotlight.
Christian Gonzalez, CB - New England Patriots
It hasn’t taken long for Christian Gonzalez to make his mark in the NFL. After transferring to the University of Oregon, Gonzalez put together a breakout season that showcased everything scouts drool over-length, speed, fluidity in coverage, and the ability to track the ball like a center fielder.
That lone season in Eugene was enough to catapult him into the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, where New England made him the 17th overall pick. Since then, Gonzalez has become a cornerstone of the Patriots’ defense, locking down top receivers and emerging as one of the league’s premier young corners.
In a secondary that prides itself on discipline and man coverage, Gonzalez has been a perfect fit. He led all Patriots defensive backs in passes defended this season, and his ability to shadow WR1s has been a major asset in New England’s run to the Super Bowl.
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 17 (2023)
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 197 lbs
2025 Season Highlights: Led Patriots DBs in passes defended
Calling Card: Elite man coverage, size-speed combo, WR1 eraser
Oregon Resume: All-Pac-12 selection in his lone season with the Ducks
Alex Austin, CB - New England Patriots
Alex Austin’s story might not draw the same headlines, but it’s no less impressive. A former standout at Oregon State, Austin built his game on versatility, football IQ, and a willingness to do the dirty work in the secondary.
That mindset earned him a spot in New England’s defensive backfield, where depth and adaptability are always in high demand. While Gonzalez may be the shutdown corner, Austin has carved out a role of his own-proof that the Oregon State pipeline continues to produce NFL-ready talent.
His journey from Corvallis to the Super Bowl is a testament to patience, development, and the kind of steady growth that NFL teams value deeply.
Brandon Pili, NT - Seattle Seahawks
On the other side of the field, the Seahawks’ defensive line features a player whose football roots trace back to Portland.
Brandon Pili, Seattle’s nose tackle, played his senior high school season at Westview High after transferring from Alaska. That move turned out to be a turning point in his football career. It raised his recruiting profile, eventually landing him at USC, and from there, he worked his way into the NFL trenches.
Now, Pili brings size and physicality to Seattle’s interior defensive line, anchoring the middle and helping to control the run game. His presence in the Super Bowl is a reminder that the road to the NFL can start anywhere-even in the Pacific Northwest’s high school ranks.
Super Bowl LX will feature stars from all over the country, but for Oregon football fans, there’s a little extra pride watching players with ties to Eugene, Corvallis, and Portland take the field. Whether they’re locking down wideouts or clogging up the middle, these players have carried their Oregon roots all the way to the sport’s biggest stage.