San Francisco 49ers defense - Kym Fortino/49ers
The Super Bowl is just a week away, and there are a couple of former Rutgers players participating. Super Bowl LVIII will be between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game will be held on Sunday, February 11th. Here is a look at the former Rutgers players participating.
Former Rutgers Players Participating
There will be three former Rutgers players in the Super Bowl. One will come from the Chiefs, while two will be from the 49ers. Here is a breakdown of each player’s season, including playoffs, and when they played for the Scarlet Knights.
Isiah Pacheco
Running back, Isiah Pacheco is maybe the most notable Scarlet Knight playing this week. That does not take away from the other players, but Pacheco is an important part of the Kansas City Chiefs offense. Pacheco has been in the league for just two seasons and has already made an impact. He was drafted by the Chiefs in 2022 in the seventh round with the 251st overall pick.
Pacheco joined the Scarlet Knights in 2018 and he began playing right away. By 2021 he earned team captain. In his four years as a Scarlet Knight, Pacheco rushed the ball 563 times for 2,442 yards and 18 touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. He also had 47 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown.
Pacheco dealt with some lingering injuries this season but still participated in 14 regular season games. When it mattered the most he was on the field. In the regular season, Pacheco rushed the ball 205 times for 935 yards and seven touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference. He also had 44 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, missing out on a couple of games led him to miss the 1,000 rushing yards mark. So far in the postseason, Pacheco has 63 rushing attempts for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He also has six receptions for 27 yards. Pacheco will be a critical player in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Logan Ryan
Safety Logan Ryan became a crucial late pick-up for the San Francisco 49ers this year. Following a season-ending injury to Talanoa Hufanga, the 49ers needed depth at that position. Bringing in Ryan was crucial. Ryan began his professional career with the New England Patriots after being drafted in 2013 in the third round with the 83rd overall pick.
Ryan played with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from 2010 until 2012. In his there years he had seven interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and one pass defended, according to Sports Reference. He also had 11.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and 111 solo tackles. After three years of playing with Rutgers, he pursued his NFL career.
Ryan did not start the 2023 season on a team. Ryan was picked up at the end of November and became a critical piece to the 49ers. This season, he played in five regular-season games, starting in two. In five games, he had one tackle for loss, and 13 combined tackles, according to Pro Football Reference. The 49ers had the first-round bye, but Ryan played in both playoff games, getting the start against the Greenbay Packers. So far in the post-season, Ryan has five combined tackles, three solo. Whether Ryan gets the start during the Super Bowl or not, he can use his veteran experience to help a young Ji’Ayir Brown.
Sebastian Joseph-Day
Defensive lineman, Sebastian Joseph-Day is another late-season pickup by the 49ers. He came in as a depth piece as the 49ers began facing a couple of injuries on the defensive line. He will more than likely be active for the Super Bowl, but in the rotation, not as a starter. Joseph-Day began his career with the Los Angeles Rams after being drafted in 2018 in the sixth round with the 195th overall pick.
Joseph-Day began his collegiate career at Rutgers in 2013. He only played in one game that year but played in all 13 games in 2014. From 2015 to 2017, Joseph-Day earned Academic All-Big Ten three years in a row. In his five years at Rutgers, Joseph-Day had 90 total tackles, 47 solo, 3.5 sacks, and 14.5 tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also had two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflection.
Joseph-Day began the 2023 season season with the Chargers, playing in 14 games before the 49ers picked him up. He played in two regular season games with the 49ers where he had five tackles, according to Pro Football Reference. So far in the postseason, he has just two tackles. He is more of a depth piece, but he gives the starting defensive line time to rest, which is still an important role for the 49ers.
The Super Bowl is just one week away. Be sure to watch these former Rutgers players compete for the Lombardi Trophy.
For a look at other former Big Ten players competing in the Super Bowl, see below:
Iowa players competing, click here.
Michigan players competing, click here.
Michigan State players competing, click here.
Nebraska players competing, click here.
Ohio State players competing, click here.
Penn State players competing, click here.
Purdue players competing, click here.
Wisconsin players competing, click here.
