Seahawks Roster Boasts New Mexico Ties Ahead of Super Bowl

Five members of the Seattle Seahawks, including former La Cueva star Connor O'Toole, have connections to the Land of Enchantment.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:47pm

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As the Seattle Seahawks prepare to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, five members of the team have ties to the state of New Mexico. This includes former La Cueva High School standout Connor O'Toole, as well as Bryce Cabeldue, who led the Clovis Wildcats to victory over La Cueva in the playoffs. In addition, several Seahawks coaches also hail from New Mexico, highlighting the state's growing influence in the NFL.

Why it matters

New Mexico is often overlooked on the national sports landscape, so the prominence of Seahawks players and coaches with local roots provides a source of pride for the state and showcases the talent that can emerge from its high school and college football programs.

The details

Connor O'Toole, a former La Cueva High School star, is one of five Seattle Seahawks with ties to New Mexico. O'Toole, who graduated from La Cueva in 2020, has dreamed of playing in the Super Bowl since he was 7 years old. He has maintained close relationships with his former coaches, including Brandon Back, the head football coach at La Cueva. O'Toole's Seahawks teammate, Bryce Cabeldue, also has New Mexico roots, having led the Clovis Wildcats to victory over La Cueva in the playoffs. In addition to O'Toole and Cabeldue, the Seahawks' coaching staff includes several members with New Mexico connections, including assistant coach Michael Byrne from Albuquerque and assistant coaches Jeff Howard and Tim Ojeda, who played college football at Eastern New Mexico University.

  • The Super Bowl will be played on February 8, 2026.
  • O'Toole graduated from La Cueva High School in 2020.

The players

Connor O'Toole

A former standout player at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks roster and is preparing to play in the Super Bowl.

Bryce Cabeldue

A Seahawks player who led the Clovis Wildcats to victory over Connor O'Toole's La Cueva team in the high school playoffs, and is now O'Toole's teammate on the Seahawks.

Brandon Back

The head football coach at La Cueva High School, where Connor O'Toole played, and who has maintained a close mentorship relationship with O'Toole.

Michael Byrne

An assistant coach for the Seattle Seahawks who is from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Jeff Howard

An assistant coach for the Seattle Seahawks who played college football at Eastern New Mexico University.

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What they’re saying

“It's crazy. You kind of got to take a step back and realize the moment that you're in.”

— Connor O'Toole

“When they get older, you get to move into more of a friendship setting, you know, you get to, they call you when they have big questions.”

— Brandon Back, Head Football Coach, La Cueva High School

“He's been a huge part in my football career. And also just, you know, a great mentor, a great friend.”

— Connor O'Toole

“We've got a lot of great kids who come through here and continue to reach out to us and just ask for advice and things like that. So, and just in watching him from a fan, you know, we're fans now.”

— Brandon Back, Head Football Coach, La Cueva High School

“It's just cool because you get out of New Mexico, and a lot of people don't even know where New Mexico is on the map. But just to be able to joke around with Bryce and just talk about all the times, the memories that we had in high school, playing each other.”

— Connor O'Toole

What’s next

The Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will be played on February 8, 2026.

The takeaway

The strong representation of New Mexico talent on the Seahawks roster, including players and coaches, highlights the state's growing influence in the NFL and the ability of its high school and college football programs to produce top-tier talent that can compete on the biggest stage.