Cross Carries Mississippi State into Super Bowl LX Against Patriots

Former first-round pick Charles Cross set to make Super Bowl debut for Seattle Seahawks.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Charles Cross, a former first-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks, is set to make his Super Bowl debut when the Seahawks face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Cross, who played at Mississippi State, will become the 41st player from the school to appear in a Super Bowl, continuing the program's rich tradition of producing NFL talent.

Why it matters

Cross' journey from Starkville to the Super Bowl underscores both his individual achievement as an NFL starter and the broader legacy of Mississippi State's presence in professional football. At least one Bulldog alum has taken part in six of the past seven Super Bowls, cementing the school's remarkable contribution to the NFL.

The details

During the 2025 season, the 6-foot-5, 307-pound Cross started 14 regular-season games at left tackle for the Seahawks and also saw action in both of their playoff games prior to the Super Bowl. His pass-blocking skills have been spotlighted by analytics, as he holds the second-best pass-blocking grade of any offensive lineman in the playoffs this season.

  • Cross was selected ninth overall by the Seahawks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • During the 2025 season, Cross started 14 regular-season games and both of Seattle's playoff games prior to the Super Bowl.

The players

Charles Cross

A former first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks who played at Mississippi State and is set to make his Super Bowl debut.

Seattle Seahawks

The NFL team that drafted Charles Cross and will be facing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

New England Patriots

The NFL team that will be facing the Seattle Seahawks, led by Charles Cross, in Super Bowl LX.

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What’s next

Super Bowl LX will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Santa Clara, California.

The takeaway

Cross' success story reinforces that student-athlete development at Mississippi State can translate to NFL success, not only for skill players and defenders but for linemen whose contributions often define a team's identity.