The league's biggest game is now set, as Seattle will face New England for Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

At the naked eye, this game might not feel too enticing for a Cowboys/49ers/Raiders town like El Paso is. However, there are two individuals on both sides with ties to the city and UTEP. Let's jump into some of the most notable ties to the Super Bowl for the 915.

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Tyrice Knight - Seattle Linebacker

Knight, a second year linebacker drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 Draft by Seattle, was a standout player for UTEP from 2020-23. The Florida native had to deal with his share of injuries this year after a stellar rookie season in 2024. Knight finished the year with 57 total tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. He had a key stop for the Seahawks on a run play in their NFC Championship win against the Rams.

Jeremy Springer - New England Special Teams Coordinator

Previously a former Miner linebacker from 2007-11 and a UTEP graduate assistant coach from 2011-14, Springer has risen up the ranks in the NFL and finds himself coaching special teams in New England for a Super Bowl-contending squad.

Prior to his time in New England (2024-present), he was an assistant with the Rams (2022-23) and also previously coached special teams in the college ranks at Texas A&M, Marshall and Arizona.

Springer finished his UTEP career with 161 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and one interception. He was one of the captains of the 2011 UTEP squad.

More Super Bowl-UTEP ties in previous years

The special part of Knight making it with Seattle to the Super Bowl is that he becomes the first Miner to play in the big game since Brian Young played for the Rams in 2002 (Patriots 24 - Rams 21, Super Bowl XXXVI).

Below are some other UTEP ties since 1993:

• Dave Toub (special teams coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs) - Coached in the 80s under Bob Stull at UTEP. He was with KC for their Super Bowl trips in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
• Ken Flajole (outside linebackers coach, Kansas City Chiefs) - NFL assistant coach who served on the staff at UTEP from 1986-88 as defensive backs coach under head coach Bob Stull. He coached for the Chiefs in their SB runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
• Andy Reid (KC head coach) - Served as the offensive line coach at UTEP from 1987–1988 under head coach Bob Stull. This brief stint in El Paso is a well-known part of his early coaching career and helped launch his path to the NFL. During those two seasons, the Miners improved dramatically (7-4 in 1987 and a program-record 10-3 in 1988)
• Jon Dorenbos (long snapper, Philadelphia Eagles) - Even though he was cut from the team, Dorenbos received a commemorative ring in 2018 with the Eagles.
• Brian Young (defensive line coach, New Orleans Saints) - Coached in the 31-17 win against the Colts.
• Lee Mays (receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers) - Even though he was no longer a member of the Steelers for their Super Bowl win (21-10), Mays was on the roster with Pittsburgh earlier in the season.
• Trey Darilek (guard, Philadelphia Eagles) - Darilek was active but didn't play as the Eagles lost 24-21 to the Patriots.
• Young (defensive tackle, Rams) - Recorded four tackles against the Patriots in their 20-17 loss.
• Seth Joyner (linebacker, Denver Broncos) - Played in the 34-19 win over Atlanta in their 1999 Super Bowl win, but didn't record any stats. Joyner was a standout for the Miners.
• Chris Jacke (kicker, Green Bay Packers) - Packers won 35-21 over the Patriots, as Jacke scored nine points (two field goals and three extra points).
• Tony Tolbert (defensive end, Dallas Cowboys) - One of the all-time greats for UTEP, Tolbert was a three-time Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX). He recorded a huge sack in their 27-17 win against the Steelers in 1996.