Every year, the Super Bowl brings together the top two football teams in the NFL for a thrilling showdown. And while the game itself may be the focus of attention, another highlight is the awarding of the Super Bowl MVP trophy to the most outstanding player of the game. Over the years, many players have earned this prestigious title, and it’s interesting to note where these MVPs honed their skills in college.

Let’s take a look at where 10 Super Bowl MVPs went to college:

1. Joe Namath – MVP of Super Bowl III (1969) – University of Alabama

Nicknamed “Broadway Joe,” Namath played college football at the University of Alabama before going on to have a successful career in the NFL with the New York Jets.

2. Terry Bradshaw – MVP of Super Bowl XIII (1979) and Super Bowl XIV (1980) – Louisiana Tech University

Bradshaw played college football at Louisiana Tech University before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won four Super Bowls and earned two MVP titles.

3. Joe Montana – MVP of Super Bowl XVI (1982), Super Bowl XIX (1985), and Super Bowl XXIV (1990) – University of Notre Dame

Montana is a legendary quarterback who played college football at the University of Notre Dame before going on to win four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers.

4. Phil Simms – MVP of Super Bowl XXI (1987) – Morehead State University

Simms played college football at Morehead State University before being drafted by the New York Giants, where he led the team to a Super Bowl victory and earned the MVP title.

5. Emmitt Smith – MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII (1994) – University of Florida

Smith played college football at the University of Florida before having a successful career in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, where he won three Super Bowls and earned the MVP title.

6. Tom Brady – MVP of Super Bowl XXXVI (2002), Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004), Super Bowl XLIX (2015), and Super Bowl LI (2017) – University of Michigan

Brady played college football at the University of Michigan before being drafted by the New England Patriots, where he has won seven Super Bowls and earned four MVP titles.

7. Peyton Manning – MVP of Super Bowl XLI (2007) – University of Tennessee

Manning played college football at the University of Tennessee before having a successful career in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos, where he won two Super Bowls and earned the MVP title.

8. Drew Brees – MVP of Super Bowl XLIV (2010) – Purdue University

Brees played college football at Purdue University before going on to have a successful career in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, where he led the team to a Super Bowl victory and earned the MVP title.

9. Russell Wilson – MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII (2014) – University of Wisconsin

Wilson played college football at the University of Wisconsin before being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, where he led the team to a Super Bowl victory and earned the MVP title.

10. Patrick Mahomes – MVP of Super Bowl LIV (2020) – Texas Tech University

Mahomes played college football at Texas Tech University before being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he led the team to a Super Bowl victory and earned the MVP title.

These 10 Super Bowl MVPs all had successful college football careers before making their mark in the NFL. Their achievements on the field serve as an inspiration to aspiring football players everywhere, proving that with talent, determination, and hard work, anything is possible.