Quinyon Mitchell, Kareem Hunt, Carson Steele headline eight MAC alums on the Eagles’ and Chiefs’ Super Bowl rosters.
There are hundreds of thousands of Super Bowl previews on the internet.
You can break down the most monumental football game of the year in a multitude of ways, but here at Hustle Belt, we provide the annual preview that focuses on the Super Bowl through a #MACtion lens.
It’s almost inevitable that any given Super Bowl will feature several players with MAC football ties. Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles happens to feature eight — a very healthy number for the conference.
Between the two rosters, there are three Toledo, two Ball State, two Western Michigan, and one Central Michigan alum. Here are the eight former MAC players to keep an eye on as the history books are written and the Lombardi Trophy prepares to be distributed for the 59th time:
Kansas City Chiefs
Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo (2013-16)
Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images
Believe it or not, this is Kareem Hunt’s first Super Bowl. Hunt was selected by the Chiefs in the same draft as Patrick Mahomes in 2017, but he only played two seasons in his first stint with Kansas City. In Hunt’s five years away from the franchise, the Chiefs made four Super Bowls and won three. But the 2017 NFL rushing yards leader is now back on his original stomping grounds, looking for a chance at ring No. 1. Hunt will be a key piece of the offense, generating 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns in two playoff games this year. The former Toledo great also led the Chiefs in rushing in the regular season with 728 yards, and he’ll likely be the most frequented option in their backfield Sunday.
Carson Steele, RB, Ball State (2021-22)
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Carson Steele quickly became a Midweek MACtion fan favorite at Ball State, breaking tackles, surpassing 100 rushing yards on a regular basis, and hurdling defenders — all while the world was introduced to his pet alligator Crocky J. Steele and Crocky J have now made the trek from Muncie, IN to Kansas City and now to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. The undrafted free agent received ample playing time as a rookie running back, accruing 183 rushing yards. Steele hasn’t fielded a handoff in the playoffs yet, but he’s been present on the field, playing a total of 10 offensive snaps and 10 special teams snaps in Kansas City’s two playoff victories.
Mike Caliendo, G, Western Michigan (2016-21)
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Mike Caliendo didn’t earn a selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, but the Western Michigan guard quickly jumped onto the Chiefs’ roster as an undrafted free agent. Caliendo won his first ring in 2022 without playing a snap. Then in 2023, he increased his role, participating in Kansas City’s playoff run as a special teams mainstay. This year, Caliendo once again made the next jump and will start at left guard in Super Bowl LIX. He joined the starting lineup in Week 14 and has held down the spot since, and he’ll play a major role in protecting Patrick Mahomes against a feisty Eagles front.
Mike Danna, DE, Central Michigan (2015-18)
Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images
Mike Danna is credited as a Michigan Wolverine, but Danna spent the majority of his college career in maroon and gold with the Chippewas. Danna was drafted by the Chiefs in 2020, and he knows nothing but deep playoff runs and Super Bowl appearances. Sunday will mark his fourth Super Bowl appearance of his 5-year career, and he’s slated to start at right defensive end — fresh after producing a sack in the AFC Championship Game. This marks his second-year as a full-time starter, and a third ring is on the horizon.
Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan (2019-21) – Injured
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
If you’re rewatching highlights of the Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl from two years ago, you’ll quickly remember that Skyy Moore played a magnificent role in the Chiefs’ 38-35 victory. With under 10 minutes remaining in a 28-27 ballgame, Moore secured a 4-yard touchdown reception from Patrick Mahomes, who sent a quick delivery to beat the blitz. The former Western Michigan star is the most recent rookie to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. He hasn’t suited up in a playoff game since, and the 2-time champion is doubtful for this rematch vs. the Eagles.
Nic Jones, CB, Ball State (2019-22) – Practice Squad
Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images
Nic Jones only played nine special teams snaps this year and won’t be active for Super Bowl LIX, but Jones is no stranger to the grand stage. The Ball State alum participated in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII win over the 49ers in the form of 17 special teams snaps. He was the closest defender when Ray-Ray McCloud muffed a pivotal punt in the late third quarter, allowing Kansas City to claim its first lead of an eventual 25-22 overtime victory. Now he seeks his second ring.
Philadelphia Eagles
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (2020-23)
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Quinyon Mitchell warranted the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, becoming the first MAC first rounder since Corey Davis in 2017. Mitchell quickly gained status as one of the premier weapons on the Eagles’ No. 1 defense, and he is tied for the league lead with two interceptions in the 2024 Playoffs. The year-long starter also has 11 tackles and four pass breakups as Philadelphia’s top rookie, and he was recently named the runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The former Toledo All-American will earn the start Sunday, hoping to add to his playoff interception total and prove he was the missing piece the Eagles needed two years ago in the Super Bowl.
Dallas Gant, ILB, Toledo (2022-23) – Practice Squad
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Dallas Gant was teammates with Quinyon Mitchell at Toledo, and now the two defenders share the teammate label on the roster of the Philadelphia Eagles. The undrafted rookie participated in the final two games of the regular season where he made one tackle on 26 special teams snaps. Gant won’t be suiting up Sunday as he is a member of the practice squad, but he still receives a valuable opportunity to win a ring after working hard behind the scenes all year.
Super Bowl LIX kicks off from New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET.