Minnesota Gophers in the NFL: Super Bowl LX Preview

For the first time since 2021 a Minnesota Golden Gopher alum is guaranteed to win a Super Bowl when the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks meet in Super Bowl LX Sunday night in Santa Clara, California. Nineteen previous Gophers have touched the Lombardi Trophy, and at the end of the night on Sunday that number will either climb to 20, or 21. They will add their name to a list that includes such Gopher greats as Bobby Bell, Tony Dungy, Tyrone Carter, Matt Spaeth, and Antoine Winfield, Jr.

New England Patriots

Jack Gibbens LB

Gibbons comes in off a great performance in the AFC Championship Game win over Denver. After starting linebacker Robert Spillane left with an injury, Gibbons stepped up and played 50 defensive snaps and an additional 16 on special teams. He ended the game with six tackles, two of them solo. He allowed two receptions on three targets, but only for 13 total yards all of them coming on yards after catch as they were passed to running backs out of the backfield.

Gibbons will play a large role in trying to shut down the Seahawks running game of Kenneth Walker on Sunday night.

Seattle Seahawks

Boye Mafe OLB

Mafe played 20 defensive snaps and another five on special teams in their NFC Championship Game win over the Los Angeles Rams. He picked up one solo tackle. Mafe went from having a larger pass rushing role prior to this season to now being used more in a true 3-4 linebacker role.

Nick Kallerup TE

Kallerup played six offensive snaps and seven on special teams in the NFC Championship Game. He did not record a stat. Kallerup will come in in the goal line package for the Seahawks adding an extra tight end in a big package.