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Two Former NC State Players Advance to the Super Bowl as Patriots Defeat Broncos

Matthew Bradham

Published

5 months ago

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Two former NC State football players are headed to the Super Bowl.

Center Garrett Bradbury and defensive tackle Cory Durden helped lead the New England Patriots to a 10–7 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon, punching their ticket to the 2026 Super Bowl.

Bradbury played every offensive snap for New England, while Durden recorded one tackle and two quarterback pressures across 26 snaps in the win.

With the victory, Bradbury and Durden become the 36th and 37th former Wolfpack players to advance to the Super Bowl as players. Former NC State head coach Bill Cowher also reached the Super Bowl twice as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NC State Players to Advance to the Super Bowl

Player / Coach Super Bowls Years Team(s)
Joe Thuney 6 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 Patriots, Chiefs
Jim Ritcher 4 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 Bills
Perry Williams 2 1987, 1991 Giants
Mike Cofer 2 1989, 1990 49ers
Bill Cowher (Coach) 2 1996, 2006 Steelers
Mike Jones 2 1997, 2000 Patriots, Titans
Torry Holt 2 2000, 2002 Rams
Steven Hauschka 2 2014, 2015 Seahawks
J.R. Sweezy 2 2014, 2015 Seahawks
Russell Wilson 2 2014, 2015 Seahawks
Charley Young 1 1976 Cowboys
Dan Medlin 1 1977 Raiders
Lin Dawson 1 1986 Patriots
Dennis Owens 1 1986 Patriots
Mark Thomas 1 1995 49ers
Joe Milinichik 1 1995 Chargers
George Hegamin 1 1996 Cowboys
Gary Downs 1 1999 Falcons
Ray Agnew 1 2000 Rams
George Williams 1 2001 Giants
Corey Smith 1 2003 Buccaneers
Alvis Whitted 1 2003 Raiders
Sean Locklear 1 2006 Seahawks
Adrian Wilson 1 2009 Cardinals
DeMario Pressley 1 2010 Saints
Andre Brown 1 2012 Giants
Nate Irving 1 2014 Broncos
Jerricho Cotchery 1 2016 Panthers
Jacoby Brissett 1 2017 Patriots
Dontae Johnson 1 2020 49ers
Kentavius Street 1 2020 49ers
Ted Larsen 1 2021 Buccaneers
Justin Jones 1 2022 Rams
B.J. Hill 1 2022 Bengals
Germaine Pratt 1 2022 Bengals
T.Y. McGill 1 2024 49ers
Drake Thomas 1 2025 Seahawks
Cory Durden 1 2025 Patriots
Garrett Bradbury 1 2025 Patriots

Thuney’s six Super Bowl appearances are tied for the second-most in NFL history, trailing only Tom Brady.

  1. Tom Brady – 10 appearances
  2. Joe Thuney – 6 appearances
  3. Stephen Gostkowski – 6 appearances
  4. Mike Lodish – 6 appearances

A Big Year for Both Players

This season marked Bradbury’s first year with New England after spending six seasons with the Vikings, who selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Durden’s path has been even more remarkable. The former undrafted free agent began the year on the Patriots’ practice squad before earning a roster spot. After appearing in just eight combined games with the Rams and Giants over his first two seasons, Durden has now played in every game this year for New England.

He’s been one of the biggest surprises on the Patriots’ defense, finishing the season with the second-highest overall PFF grade on the unit.

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