Two Minnesota natives reached the pinnacle of football on Sunday night, as former Gophers Boye Mafe and Nick Kallerup helped power the Seattle Seahawks to a 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.
For Gopher fans, the championship served as a reminder of the program’s growing presence on the biggest stage. Mafe, a standout defensive end during his time in Minneapolis, played a key role in Seattle’s journey to the title. Known for his relentless motor and athleticism at Minnesota, Mafe appeared in 42 games from 2017–21 and steadily developed into one of the Big Ten’s most disruptive defenders. He finished his college career with 87 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks, while also forcing three fumbles and breaking up three passes.
That production caught the attention of NFL scouts, and Seattle selected him with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Since then, Mafe has continued to grow into an impact defender, and now he can add Super Bowl champion to his resume.
He wasn’t the only former Gopher celebrating.
Nick Kallerup, a Minnesota native who spent six seasons with the program from 2019–24, also earned a championship ring with the Seahawks. While his stats only tell part of the story, Kallerup’s versatility and physical play made him a valuable contributor throughout his college career. He appeared in 57 games, seeing action on offense and special teams, and finished with 14 receptions for 151 yards and one touchdown. More importantly, he built a reputation as a dependable blocker who did the gritty work that helped Minnesota’s offense function.
On the other sideline, another former Gopher was chasing the same dream. Linebacker Jack Gibbens suited up for New England in the Super Bowl, representing the Maroon and Gold in his own way. Gibbens spent the 2021 season at Minnesota after transferring from Abilene Christian and made an immediate impact. He started all 13 games and led the team with 92 tackles, including 56 solo stops. He also added 4.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble during his lone season in Dinkytown.
Only one team could leave with the Lombardi Trophy, but the night still marked a proud moment for Minnesota football. With Mafe and Kallerup celebrating a championship and Gibbens competing on the sport’s biggest stage, the Gophers once again showed they can develop talent that reaches the very top of the game.