Carolina Pride on the Big Stage: Players with NC & SC Roots Shine in Super Bowl LX
The Carolina Panthers may be out of the playoffs, but there’s still plenty for fans of the Carolinas to cheer for. Super Bowl LX will feature the Seattle Seahawks taking on the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET. Even without the Panthers, several players with strong North Carolina and South Carolina roots are heading to football’s biggest stage, giving fans from both states plenty of hometown heroes to root for.
From linemen and linebackers to wide receivers, quarterbacks and safeties, these players carry the Carolinas with them onto the field. Whether they grew up in the Tar Heel State, the Palmetto State, or played their college ball there, Carolina pride will be on full display in this year’s Super Bowl.
Nick Emmanwori went to Irmo High School in Irmo, SC and attended and played football at University of South Carolina.
Seattle Seahawks
Jake Bobo #19 – Duke University
Nick Emmanwori #3 – University of South Carolina & Irmo High School (Irmo, SC)
Drake Thomas #42 – NC State & Heritage High School (Wake Forest, NC)
Dareke Young #83 – Lenoir-Rhyne University & Middle Creek High School (Apex, NC)
Chazz Surratt #44- UNC & East Lincoln High School (Denver, NC)
Robbie Ouzts #40 – Rock Hill High School (Rock Hill, SC)
New England Patriots
Garrett Bradbury #65 – NC State & Charlotte Christian School (Charlotte, NC)
Cory Durden #94- NC State
Mack Hollins #13 -UNC & NC School of Science and Mathmatics (Durham, NC)
Drake Maye #10 – UNC & Myers Park High School (Charlotte, NC)
Marcellas Dial #27 – University of South Carolina & Woodruff High School (Woodruff, SC)
Amari Gainer #99 – UNC
John Saunders Jr #23- High Point Christian High School (High Point, NC)
Harold Landry III #2 – Pine Forest High School (Fayetteville, NC)
Jared Wilson #58 – West Forsyth High School (Clemmons, NC)
From North and South Carolina, fans have plenty to root for — these players are bringing a little piece of home to Super Bowl LX.
