A former Cal Poly defensive end will go to Super Bowl LX as a linebacker for the New England Patriots in his rookie season. Elijah Ponder graduated from Cal Poly last year.
Ponder recovered a fumble on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, leading the Patriots to score their only touchdown of the game to get them to the Super Bowl. In Ponder’s first year with the Patriots, he played in 15 games and had 24 tackles and four sacks, according to ESPN.
READ MORE: Elijah Ponder looks to become Cal Poly’s first NFL draft pick since 2012
Cal Poly Athletics wished Ponder luck after the NFC win on Saturday on their Instagram.
“He was one of the best players and people to come through our football program,” Director of Athletic Communications Connor Leary wrote in an email to Mustang News. “We are not surprised at all to see the success he’s having and couldn’t be more proud and happy for him.”
Ponder spent five seasons as a player for Cal Poly while he worked toward his degree in architectural engineering.
“[Attending Cal Poly] has been more than what I expected,” Ponder said in previous Mustang News coverage. “It’s a great place with great people, the reason why I’m still here in my fifth year.”
During his Cal Poly career, he had 167 tackles and 26.5 sacks, according to previous Mustang News coverage. He was named First-Team All Big Sky in both 2023 and 2024 and set the school record with 44 quarterback hurries.
“Having another Mustang competing in a Super Bowl is thrilling for Cal Poly and should make all of Mustang nation proud,” Leary wrote.
READ MORE: Five Cal Poly Football players earn Big Sky All-Conference awards
The Patriots have a 14-3 record this season and will play against the Seattle Seahawks, who also have a 14-3 record but secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Patriots last won the Super Bowl in 2019 against the Los Angeles Rams while the Seahawks last won the Super Bowl in 2014 against the Denver Broncos.
The two teams previously competed against each other in 2015 with the Patriots taking home the Lombardi Trophy after a 28-24 victory.
This article was updated to reflect Ponder’s contributions to the Patriots’ NFC championship win and add comment from university athletics officials. It also now clarifies that he was not drafted but picked up as a free agent.