Mainland Alum Leonard Williams Reaches Super Bowl 60 with Seahawks

The defensive lineman's journey from Mainland High School to the NFL's biggest stage

Feb. 7, 2026 at 4:31am

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Leonard Williams, a 2012 graduate of Mainland High School in Florida, has reached the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. After a standout college career at USC and stints with the New York Jets and Giants, Williams was traded to the Seahawks in 2023. He's now preparing to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60, capping off an 11-year NFL journey filled with ups and downs.

Why it matters

Williams' path from a small-town high school to the Super Bowl is an inspiring story of persistence and hard work paying off. His success also highlights the Seahawks' stifling defense, which will be tasked with containing the Patriots' high-powered offense led by MVP runner-up Drake Maye.

The details

Williams, a defensive lineman, collected 7 sacks during the 2025 regular season, tied for the third-most in his career. He's played a key role in the Seahawks' playoff run, recording 3 tackles and 1 sack in the team's first two postseason games. Seattle's defense limited opponents to a league-best 17.2 points per game in the regular season.

  • Leonard Williams graduated from Mainland High School in 2012.
  • Williams was drafted in the top 10 of the NFL Draft after his college career at USC.
  • He spent parts of 5 seasons with the New York Jets and 5 seasons with the New York Giants before being traded to the Seahawks in mid-2023.
  • The Seahawks will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60 on Sunday, February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM.

The players

Leonard Williams

A defensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks who is appearing in his first Super Bowl after an 11-year NFL career.

Drake Maye

The MVP runner-up quarterback for the New England Patriots, who the Seahawks' defense will be tasked with containing in the Super Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks

The NFC champion team that features a stifling defense, led by Leonard Williams, that will face the high-powered Patriots offense in Super Bowl 60.

New England Patriots

The AFC champion team that boasts the third-most yards and second-most points in the league this season, led by quarterback Drake Maye.

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What they’re saying

“Being there was my first time playing football. I would just say I was really persistent at that time — even then as a young athlete. I found that I was a very persistent person, and that's kind of what got me to this point now.”

— Leonard Williams (Yahoo Sports)

“Coming over here to Seattle and finally making it here to this moment in Year 11, it means a lot. It makes this moment feel even more special because I've been through so much. I've been through so many ups and downs.”

— Leonard Williams (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Leonard Williams' journey from a small-town high school to the Super Bowl is a testament to the power of persistence and hard work. His success with the Seahawks also highlights the team's stifling defense, which will be crucial in their matchup against the high-powered Patriots offense led by MVP runner-up Drake Maye.