From Columbus to the Super Bowl stage, the Buckeye pipeline is on full display.
When the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks line up for Super Bowl 60, Ohio State fans will recognize more than just familiar colors on the field. Four former Buckeyes, including a head coach who embodies everything the program stands for, have turned the NFL’s biggest game into an unofficial Ohio State reunion. The result? A showcase of what Buckeye fans already believe: Ohio State isn’t just a college football powerhouse, it’s NFLU.
Ohio State Pipeline to the Super Bowl
Super Bowl represents the highest level of football excellence, and once again, Ohio State’s fingerprints are everywhere. From elite skill players to trench warriors to the man leading one sideline, the Buckeyes’ influence is undeniable. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s culture, development, and consistency paying off on football’s biggest stage.
And it all starts with Mike Vrabel.
Mike Vrabel: From Buckeyes Legend to Patriots Architect
Mike Vrabel’s football journey reads like a blueprint for Buckeye greatness. A legend in Columbus, Vrabel carried his Ohio State toughness straight into the NFL after being drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. His career truly took off when he joined the New England Patriots in 2001, where he became a key piece of a dynasty, winning three Super Bowls as a player.
Fast forward to today, and Vrabel is back where he feels most natural, leading. After parting ways with the Tennessee Titans and taking a brief step away from the game, he returned reinvigorated, taking over the Patriots and guiding them back to the Super Bowl after a short post–Brady/Belichick lull. Now, he has a chance to win a Lombardi Trophy not just as a player, but as a head coach.
True to his roots, Vrabel’s coaching journey began right back at Ohio State, where he returned in 2011 as the linebackers coach. It was a full-circle moment, Ohio State developing him once again, this time as a leader of men. Buckeye great. Patriots great. And now, one of the most respected head coaches in the NFL.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The Next Great Buckeye Receiver
Ohio State has become synonymous with elite wide receivers, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba may be the latest, and loudest, proof. Long before his NFL breakout, JSN announced himself in 2021 with a historic college season, earning the highest PFSN CFB WR impact grade in the nation at 93.5 while posting an elite 84.8% catch rate.
That efficiency and polish translated seamlessly to the next level.
Now the unquestioned WR1 in Seattle, Smith-Njigba silenced any doubts about life without DK Metcalf. With the spotlight fully on him, he responded with a record-breaking 1,793 receiving yards in the 2025 season, emerging as Sam Darnold’s go-to weapon and one of the most dominant receivers in football. His route running, hands, and football IQ have made him nearly uncoverable, and a primary reason for the Seahawks’ rise back to the Super Bowl.
Another Buckeye receiver thriving when it matters most. Same story, new chapter.
TreVeyon Henderson: Consistency, Leadership, and Championship Pedigree
Few Ohio State running backs in the past decade matched TreVeyon Henderson’s blend of production and leadership. From the moment he stepped on campus, Henderson set the tone, not just with explosive runs, but with professionalism and consistency. According to PFSN CFB RB impact grades, he never dipped below an 81.8 grade outside of one sophomore season, a testament to his reliability.
Henderson played all four years in Columbus, saving his best for last. His senior season culminated in Ohio State’s first national championship under head coach Ryan Day, a legacy-defining achievement that cemented his place in Buckeye lore.
Now with the Patriots, Henderson brings that same championship mindset to Vrabel’s offense. A dynamic rushing threat with big-play ability, he represents the physical, disciplined style that both Ohio State and New England have long been built upon.
Thayer Munford Jr.: The Unsung Buckeye in the Trenches
Every great team needs stars, and it needs linemen willing to do the dirty work.
Thayer Munford Jr. may not generate headlines, but his impact is undeniable. A First Team All-American at Ohio State in 2021, Munford was a cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ offensive line before entering the NFL. Drafted in the seventh round by the Raiders, he has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and patience throughout his professional journey.
Now in his second stint with the Patriots, Munford has seized his opportunity. Under Vrabel’s leadership, he’s become a valuable contributor to New England’s Super Bowl run, rewriting his NFL story the same way Ohio State taught him to do: through toughness, preparation, and relentless effort.
Super Bowl 60 isn’t just a championship game; it’s a celebration of Ohio State football’s lasting impact. From elite skill players to dominant linemen to a head coach molded by Buckeye values, the Buckeye pipeline continues to shape the NFL at its highest level.
