When the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots kick off Super Bowl LX this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, fans in the Carolinas will have plenty of reasons to watch closely. While the Panthers may not be on the field, their “fingerprints” are all over this matchup.
The Pride of Rock Hill: Robbie Ouzts
For fans in York County, the player to watch is Seattle Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts. A standout at Rock Hill High School, Ouzts was a multi-sport athlete known for his physicality on the gridiron and his presence as a power forward on the Bearcats’ basketball team.
After a successful collegiate career at Alabama, where he earned a reputation as one of the most reliable blocking backs in the country, Ouzts was drafted by the Seahawks in 2025. This season, he has been a vital “unsung hero” for Seattle’s offense, paving the way for a ground game that helped secure their spot in the Super Bowl. For the Rock Hill community, seeing a local “Bearcat” suit up on Sunday is a significant point of pride.
Hometown Hero Headed to the Emerald City: Robbie Ouzts Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks
Native Sons: From the Carolinas
Beyond Ouzts, a dozen other players in this game grew up playing high school football in the Tar Heel and Palmetto states:
Seattle Seahawks
-
S Nick Emmanwori (Irmo, S.C. – Irmo HS): A rising star who was recently named PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year.
-
OLB DeMarcus Lawrence (Aiken, S.C. – Silver Bluff HS)
-
DT Jarran Reed (Goldsboro, N.C. – Goldsboro HS)
-
LB Chazz Surratt (Denver, N.C. – East Lincoln HS)
-
LB Drake Thomas (Raleigh, N.C. – Heritage HS)
-
WR Dareke Young (Raleigh, N.C. – Middle Creek HS)
New England Patriots
-
QB Drake Maye (Huntersville, N.C. – Myers Park HS): The rookie sensation looking to become the youngest QB to win a Super Bowl.
-
C Garrett Bradbury (Charlotte, N.C. – Charlotte Christian)
-
DB Marcellas Dial (Woodruff, S.C. – Woodruff HS)
-
OLB Harold Landry (Spring Lake, N.C. – Pine Forest HS)
-
C Jared Wilson (Winston-Salem, N.C. – West Forsyth HS)
College Connections: Campus Legends
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the SEC are well-represented, with several players having starred for local universities before turning pro:
-
University of South Carolina: Nick Emmanwori (SEA), Ernest Jones IV (SEA), and Marcellas Dial (NE).
-
University of North Carolina: Drake Maye (NE), Chazz Surratt (SEA), and Mack Hollins (NE).
-
NC State: Drake Thomas (SEA), Garrett Bradbury (NE), and Cory Durden (NE).
-
Wake Forest: Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
-
Lenoir-Rhyne: Dareke Young (SEA)
-
Furman: Julian Ashby (NE)
Former Panthers: The Carolina Alumni
Finally, two players in this Super Bowl once called Bank of America Stadium home:
-
QB Sam Darnold (Seahawks): Darnold led the Panthers’ offense from 2021–2022. After a career resurgence in Seattle, he enters Sunday as one of the league’s best comeback stories.
-
OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (Patriots): Chaisson spent the 2024 preseason with the Panthers before finding his stride in New England’s defensive rotation.
Super Bowl LX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. EST on NBC. Whether you’re rooting for the green or the red, one thing is certain: the Carolinas have already won.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
