SAN JOSE, Calif.—Grey Zabel and Jalen Sundell are only a few years removed from their days of sharing a house in Fargo, North Dakota, one that include a pool table in the living room, and an unlevel one at that.
Now, not so far removed from being North Dakota State teammates and roommates who made impractical home furnishing decisions, Sundell and Zabel will start next to each as Seahawks teammates in Super Bowl LX.
For two college teammates to continue their NFL careers together is unusual enough, but for it to be a pair of players in the same position group, who played at an FCS school, that's almost unheard of, and Sundell and Zabel don't take that for granted.
"Who would have thought?" Zabel said. "A few years ago at North Dakota State, who would of 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."
Sundell joined the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2024, and impressed coaches enough in training camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, though he spent the year as a backup. Zabel followed Sundell to Seattle a year later, but as a first-round pick, and it was clear from Day 1 that he was going to be the Seahawks' starting left guard. Sundell, meanwhile, spent camp competing for the starting job at both center and right guard before eventually winning the center job, meaning he would be lining up every day next to his close friend and former roommate.
"We never imagined that, we never talked about that," Sundell said. "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 and Sundell are the two new starters to an offensive line that, thanks to their play, as well as coaching and schematic changes, that has seen the Seahawks' offensive line take a big step forward in 2025. While the line is just part of the team's offensive success, there is no denying that the way that entire group has played this year is a big part of why the Seahawks are in the Super Bowl.
And as Zabel and Sundell have demonstrated, it can be beneficial when two young offensive line starters have the type of history they do.
"We both got taught football he same way, so there's some things we can say to each other that maybe make sense to us, how we're going to block something, or being on the same page about something," Sundell said.
Said quarterback Sam Darnold, "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. They've done a great job all year with their communication—just the way they've showed their bond throughout the season has been pretty special."
Darnold also enjoys what he calls the "very goofy and dry" sense of humor Sundell and Zabel bring to the team, noting, "If you get Jalen to laugh, it's a damn good joke… I've gotten Jalen to laugh a few times, but I think I can count the number of times I've made him laugh on one hand. Jalen's a pretty funny dude, but very, very dry."
Whether Darnold can get one of those rare laughs out of Sundell on Super Bowl Sunday remains to be seen, but what is certain is that Zabel and Sundell will take a moment to appreciate how unlikely their football journeys have been for them to be experiencing a Super Bowl together just a few years after they were college roommates who had to make the mature decision to replace an impractical, slanted pool table with a hand-me-down couch from Zabel's parents.
"As a little kid you always have the dream of playing in the Super Bowl," Zabel said. "You watch the Super Bowls growing up and you always have the dream of playing in one, but then when it really comes to fruition and you're able to say that you're going out to play in a Super Bowl, you've got to pinch yourself. It's one of those deals that's a super cool experience, but all in all, it's another football game, and understanding that is going to be really important, and understanding to not get too high and not get too low, just kind of stay in the middle and be loose and focused for this game."
The Seahawks held their first practice of the week on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 as they prepare for Sunday's matchup vs. the Patriots.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (37) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6), quarterback Drew Lock (2) and quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks running back Cam Akers (30) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) and defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
