Super Bowl LX may be played on a neutral field, but the game still hits close to home.
When the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots square off on February 8, several players taking part in the NFL’s biggest game will carry meaningful Oregon ties. Whether forged on college fields in Eugene and Corvallis or during formative high school years in the Portland metro area.
Here’s a look at the players with Oregon connections who have earned a seat on football’s grandest stage.
Ducks and Beavers in the Super Bowl
Christian Gonzalez, CB — New England Patriots
Few players with Oregon ties have made a faster impact at the NFL level than Christian Gonzalez.
After transferring to the University of Oregon, Gonzalez put together a dominant season for the Ducks, showcasing elite size, speed, and ball skills that quickly made him a first-round NFL Draft pick. Now a cornerstone of New England’s defense, Gonzalez has developed into a true shutdown corner and a critical piece of the Patriots’ Super Bowl run.
His rise from Eugene to the NFL spotlight is a reminder of Oregon’s ability to develop defensive backs ready for the highest level.
- Drafted: Round 1, Pick 17 (2023 NFL Draft)
- Height/Weight: 6’1”, 197 lbs
- 2025 Season Highlights: Team leader in passes defended among Patriots DBs
- Calling Card: Elite man coverage, size-speed combo, matchup corner against WR1s
- Oregon Resume: All-Pac-12 selection in his lone season with the Ducks
Alex Austin, CB — New England Patriots
While he may not grab headlines, Alex Austin’s path to the Super Bowl speaks to the depth of Oregon State’s football pipeline.
A former Oregon State Beaver, Austin carved out his opportunity through versatility and perseverance, earning a role in New England’s secondary. His presence on a Super Bowl roster underscores how players developed in Corvallis continue to find ways to contribute at the professional level.
- Drafted: Undrafted Free Agent (2022)
- Height/Weight: 6’1”, 195 lbs
- 2025 Role: Depth corner and special teams contributor
- Strengths: Length, versatility, physical press coverage
- Oregon State Resume: Three-year contributor for the Beavers with steady year-over-year growth
Oregon High School Roots
Brandon Pili, NT — Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl LX also features a player with direct ties to Oregon high school football.
Brandon Pili, a nose tackle for the Seahawks, spent his senior year at Westview High School in Portland after transferring from Alaska. That move proved pivotal, elevating his recruiting profile and eventually sending him to USC before reaching the NFL.
Now, Pili lines up in the trenches for Seattle, bringing a physical presence that reflects the rugged path he took from Oregon prep football to the league’s biggest game.
- Height/Weight: 6’3”, 325 lbs
- College: USC
- 2025 Role: Rotational interior defensive lineman
- Strengths: Run-stopping, leverage, interior toughness
- Oregon Tie: Senior year at Westview High School helped launch his recruiting rise
It may not dominate the broadcast graphics, but make no mistake: Oregon football is represented on Super Bowl Sunday. Different paths. Different roles. Same destination.
And when the lights are brightest, that’s when those roots matter most.
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