Grey Zabel and Jalen Sundell's journey from college roommates in Fargo to Super Bowl starters captures the imagination of football fans everywhere. Only a few years have passed since they shared a house at North Dakota State University, complete with a notoriously unlevel pool table in their living room. Today, they line up side-by-side as starting interior linemen for the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX—a scenario that seemed improbable when they were adjusting to that crooked table in Fargo.
Their connection began in the trenches at NDSU, an FCS powerhouse that has become one of college football's most reliable NFL talent factories. As teammates and housemates, they developed a bond that extended beyond the football field. Those late nights studying game film, interrupted by occasional pool games on that slanted table, laid the foundation for a professional partnership that would surprise even them.
The divergent paths they took to reach this moment make their story even more compelling. Jalen Sundell arrived in Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2024, facing the long odds that confront most players who don't hear their names called during the draft. He spent his rookie season primarily as a backup, but his versatility and relentless work ethic caught the coaching staff's attention. Throughout training camp, he demonstrated proficiency at multiple positions, competing for starting roles at both center and right guard before ultimately securing the center position for the 2025 season.
Grey Zabel's journey was markedly different. Selected by Seattle in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, he entered the league with the weight of expectations that accompany premium draft capital. From his first day in the Seahawks' facility, it was evident he would be the team's starting left guard. While Sundell fought to prove he belonged, Zabel was tasked with proving he could live up to his draft status. Both challenges, though different, required mental fortitude and dedication.
The Seahawks' decision to position them adjacent on the offensive line has proven masterful. Their shared history allows them to operate with a level of cohesion rarely seen between two relatively inexperienced players. They've developed a shorthand communication system rooted in their NDSU days, enabling them to make split-second adjustments against complex defensive fronts. This intuitive understanding has been particularly valuable against the elite defensive tackles they've faced throughout their playoff run.
Quarterback Sam Darnold has witnessed their connection firsthand and recognizes its value. "It definitely shows, just the way that they communicate up there. Sometimes they don't even need to communicate, they kind of know what each other are thinking on every single play," Darnold observed. "They've done a great job all year with their communication—just the way they've shown up and performed has been outstanding."
The transformation of Seattle's offensive line has been one of the team's most significant improvements in 2025. While the entire offense contributed to the Super Bowl run, the interior line's performance—anchored by Zabel and Sundell—provided the stability necessary for success. Their ability to protect Darnold and create running lanes allowed the Seahawks' offense to operate at peak efficiency against the league's toughest defenses.
What elevates their story from feel-good anecdote to historic achievement is its sheer improbability. For two offensive linemen from the same FCS program to start together in a Super Bowl is virtually unprecedented. Players from smaller schools face constant skepticism about their ability to compete against elite Power Five competition, let alone NFL talent. Yet Zabel and Sundell have systematically dismantled those doubts, proving that proper development and mental preparation matter more than the level of competition faced in college.
Their success also shines a spotlight on North Dakota State's remarkable ability to prepare players for professional football. The Bison program emphasizes fundamentals, discipline, and mental toughness—qualities that translate directly to NFL success. NDSU's coaching staff has created a system that identifies and develops talent that might be overlooked by larger programs, then prepares those players with NFL-level techniques and schemes. Zabel and Sundell represent the latest success stories in what has become a pipeline of professional talent.
Reflecting on their improbable journey, both players express a mixture of disbelief and gratitude. "We never imagined that, we never talked about that," Sundell admitted. "We both knew that we wanted to play in the league, but playing together, let alone playing in the Super Bowl together, that was beyond our wildest dreams. It's going to be surreal."
Zabel's perspective captures the emotional weight of the moment. "Who would have thought?" he reflected. "A few years ago at North Dakota State, who would have thought that we'd be here, about to play for a Super Bowl. What an unreal experience, the world truly comes full-circle how this is happening. I'm super excited, and it might be a little bit longer of a hug in the tunnel before we run out onto the field knowing what this game means and how special of a moment it's going to be."
That anticipated embrace before kickoff will symbolize more than friendship—it will represent years of shared sacrifice and mutual support. From splitting rent on a modest house in Fargo to splitting double-team blocks against NFL All-Pros, their bond has been tested and strengthened at every level. The unlevel pool table that once dominated their living room discussions has been replaced by discussions of defensive line stunts and blitz pickups, but the connection formed around that table remains their foundation.
The strategic implications of their chemistry extend beyond sentimental value. Offensive line play requires five players to operate as a single unit, and having two interior linemen who can anticipate each other's movements without verbal communication provides a significant advantage. Against the complex pressure schemes they'll face in the Super Bowl, this silent understanding could be the difference between a clean pocket and a drive-ending sack.
For aspiring players at FCS programs across the country, Zabel and Sundell's success provides a roadmap and inspiration. They've demonstrated that the path to the NFL may be more challenging from a smaller school, but it's far from impossible. Their work ethic, technical proficiency, and mental approach have proven that talent can be found anywhere, and that proper development can close any competitive gap.
When they line up together on Super Bowl Sunday, they'll carry with them the hopes of every small-school player who has been told they're not big enough, fast enough, or good enough. They'll represent the power of persistence, the value of friendship, and the magic that can happen when opportunity meets preparation. The confetti that falls after the final whistle will celebrate not just a championship, but the culmination of a journey that began in a modest house in Fargo and ends on professional football's grandest stage.
Regardless of the outcome, Grey Zabel and Jalen Sundell have already achieved something remarkable. They've proven that the bonds formed in college can translate to professional excellence, that FCS players can compete with the best in the world, and that sometimes the most valuable acquisitions are those that bring proven chemistry along with undeniable talent. Their story reminds us that in football, as in life, the most meaningful victories often come not from individual glory, but from the relationships we build and the teammates we elevate along the way.