By Zain Bando
To some, the NFL’s season finale, Super Bowl LVIII (called unofficially the “Taylor Swift Bowl” to non-football viewers), is less than four days away between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, Nev.
With billions of dollars placed in sports wagering and the Chiefs attempting to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since Michigan Wolverine alumnus Tom Brady did so in 2003 and 2004, the stakes couldn’t be any more tense.
With so much talent on both sides, including MVP-hopeful running back Christian McCaffrey, former “Mr. Irrelevant,” and ex-Iowa State Cyclones quarterback-turned-NFL star Brock Purdy, the game is indeed to live up to its lofty expectations.
And maybe more.
The Chiefs and 49ers are meeting in The Big Game for the second time in five seasons, as the Chiefs prevailed to win their first title since 1969. Not only has the sport of football changed, particularly at the collegiate level, as covered daily by the team at Mike Farrell Sports, but so has the NFL. But that’s for another meaty-type piece down the road.
At one point in time, several of the players who will be on the field Sunday had successful college careers. Some spanned between one and two seasons, while others went on a traditional path.
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Here’s a look at five players to watch on Sunday as the game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on CBS. According to Bet MGM, the 49ers are two-point favorites at press time.
Patrick Mahomes
Texas Tech
Not including the Chiefs’ signal-caller on this list would be a disservice. Mahomes has been the engine that has made the AFC’s Super Bowl representative an offensive wagon over the last few seasons.
Before Mahomes passed for nearly 30,000 yards across seven years, he made defenses second-guess themselves during his collegiate years at Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders enjoyed decent success under Mahomes’ leadership. From 2014-2016, Mahomes quickly became one of the nation’s most underrated quarterbacks. His best season, however, came in 2015, as the Red Raiders reached a bowl game and finished 7-6, losing to the then-ranked No. 20 LSU Tigers 56-27 in the Texas Bowl.
Mahomes threw for 11,252 yards and three 93 touchdown tosses. Kansas City took him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft as the 10th overall selection. Mahomes was taken after notable names such as ex-Wyoming quarterback, current Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen, and former Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Myles Garrett, who went No. 1 to the Cleveland Browns.
Christian McCaffrey
Stanford
Since getting traded to the 49ers in October 2022, former Carolina Panthers and Stanford Cardinal great Christian McCaffrey has enhanced the NFC’s Super Bowl representative in more ways than one. Dubbed “CMC,” McCaffrey has edged himself into the MVP conversation and could know his fate as early as Thursday night when the NFL Honors take center stage at 8 p.m. ET.
Nonetheless, McCaffrey, on pace for a near-2,000-yard season, has propelled the 49ers offense to a nearly unstoppable juggernaut, as they overcame the Green Bay Packers and Detriot Lions to earn a date in Las Vegas.
While at Stanford, McCaffrey was the face of the program. In 2015, he dominated the college football landscape with his elusive rushing attack and ability to let his speed and strength do the proverbial honors.
Although McCaffrey barely missed out on winning the Heisman Trophy, he led the Cardinal to a Rose Bowl victory against the Iowa Hawkeyes, including an eye-opening 361 all-purpose yards in a 45-16 thrashing.
It’s safe to assume McCaffrey is in for more milestone-type moments before hanging up the cleats for good.
Dre Greenlaw
Arkansas
An unsung hero of the 49ers, former Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Dre Greenlaw has made a name for himself as one of the league’s best defenders. According to Fox Sports, he helped transform the Niners’ unit into a top-10 powerhouse.
Thus far, the 49ers have maintained a steady presence, as they have only allowed six touchdowns throughout the postseason. Greenlaw, meanwhile, has been all over the field the entire season, disrupting the pass and getting to the quarterback when needed. Most notably, Greenlaw has contributed 120 combined tackles and has yet to find the end zone with one game left.
But despite his lack of glaring numbers, Greenlaw built himself up as a force of nature in the position while in Arkansas. In 2015, he racked up several accolades, including Freshman All-American Honors, SEC Freshman of the Year and was part of SEC All-Freshman All-American team as selected by the coaching staff.
Greenlaw will look to remain an anchor in the 49ers defense in the coming years, but for now, his story is far from complete.
Dre Greenlaw allowed just 7.9 yards per reception in coverage this season ❌ pic.twitter.com/HiqWEMubaR
— PFF SF 49ers (@PFF_49ers) February 8, 2024
Brock Purdy
Iowa State
Brock Purdy continues to stun America week in and week out with consistent masterful performances. After being the last quarterback taken just a few seasons ago, Purdy has taken the controls to lead the Niners to greatness, which has included back-to-back NFC title game appearances and NFC West championships along the way.
Purdy wouldn’t be where he is today, however, without his journey at Iowa State. While there, similarly to Mahomes at Big 12 rival Texas Tech, he too was overlooked.
Purdy lasted three seasons in Ames, finishing with a subpar 23-15 record as a starter. Despite inconsistency at times, Purdy helped his team win and it allowed him to become a two-time All-Big 12 selection and get a shot at realizing his NFL dream.
If getting an opportunity isn’t good enough, then nothing ever will be, and that’s what Purdy has been able to embrace.
Brock Purdy looks like a little kid modeling a 49ers Halloween costume in a magazine 😂 pic.twitter.com/4ihZBCX8mH
— Buck City Breaks (@BuckCityBreaks) February 7, 2024
Jake Moody
Michigan
Yes, kickers are people too.
First-year kicker Jake Moody concluded his time at Michigan as one of the most clutch kickers in program history, delivering some iconic moments including his game-winner against the Illinois Fighting Illini in November 2022. This field goal kept the Wolverines’ undefeated season alive and eventually contributed to knocking the Illini out of Big Ten title game that same year.
Moody has since fit right into the league as a consistent kicker, currently sitting at 21-of-25 on the season.
If the game comes down to his leg, the Niners chances are certainly heightened and more.
Regardless of who the rightful winner ends up being, the Super Bowl is football’s grandest stage, with the collegiate game serving as its precursor. What each player listed above, as well as the ones who weren’t mentioned, they earned the opportunity to deliver.
