Jalen Sundell Bio
Jalen Sundell (born October 18, 1999) is an American professional football center for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 301 pounds, he plays a demanding interior line position that requires both size and technique. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, he earned a roster spot in Seattle and has since grown into a starting role on the offensive front.
A native of Maryville, Missouri, Sundell built his reputation with the North Dakota State Bison, one of the most decorated programs in college football. He entered the league determined to prove that an undrafted label did not define his ceiling. By his second professional season, he had become a regular starter and a contributor on a championship team.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Sundell was born on October 18, 1999, in Maryville, Missouri, a small northwest Missouri community known for its strong high school sports tradition. He grew up in the same town where he later attended Maryville High School, developing the physical foundation and work habits that would carry him to the next level. His size and athleticism were apparent from an early age, qualities that local coaches encouraged as he progressed through the youth and high school ranks.
At Maryville High School, Sundell emerged as a promising offensive lineman, drawing attention from college programs across the region. He was recruited by several programs, but his decision to attend North Dakota State gave him the chance to play for a championship-caliber team and to compete at the highest level of FCS football. That choice shaped the trajectory of his career and laid the groundwork for his professional future.
Path to American Football
Sundell’s path to the NFL ran through one of the most successful programs in FCS history. He joined the North Dakota State Bison in 2018 and spent six seasons developing within a system that demands precision, toughness, and consistent winning. The Bison compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, one of the strongest leagues in the subdivision, which prepared Sundell for the speed and complexity of professional football.
During his college career, Sundell contributed to three FCS national championships, winning titles in 2018, 2019, and 2021. He played multiple positions along the offensive line, including left tackle as a senior, and earned First-team FCS All-American honors in 2023. He was also a First-team All-MVFC selection that same year, recognition that reflected his growth into one of the top interior linemen in college football.
Jalen Sundell Career
Early Career (2018–2023)
Sundell’s early career at North Dakota State was defined by team success and personal development. He arrived in 2018 and quickly joined a program that won three national championships in his first four years on campus, establishing a winning culture that became second nature. Working with experienced teammates and a veteran coaching staff, he learned the technical and mental demands of high-level offensive line play.
By his senior season in 2023, Sundell had developed into one of the most reliable blockers in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Playing left tackle, he earned First-team FCS All-American and First-team All-MVFC honors, cementing his status as a professional prospect. Despite that recognition, he went unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, setting up an underdog path to the league.
NFL Breakthrough (2024)
After the 2024 NFL Draft, Sundell signed with the Cleveland Browns on April 30, 2024, earning his first professional opportunity. That stint was brief, as he was waived for medical reasons shortly after signing. He did not stay on the open market for long, however, joining the Seattle Seahawks on July 23, 2024, and using training camp to prove his value.
Sundell made Seattle’s initial 53-man roster out of training camp, a significant achievement for an undrafted rookie. During his first season, he appeared in 12 games for the Seahawks, gaining valuable experience and showing enough growth to remain part of the team’s long-term plans. His steady development earned him a clear role going into the following year.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–Present)
Entering the 2025 season, Sundell was named Seattle’s starting center, beating out Olu Oluwatimi for the job. The promotion reflected the coaching staff’s confidence in his growth, technique, and football intelligence. He started all nine games he appeared in before suffering a knee injury in Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals, a setback that placed him on injured reserve on November 15, 2025.
Sundell was activated on December 13, ahead of the Seahawks’ Week 15 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. He returned to the starting lineup and finished the season on a high note, starting in Super Bowl LX, a 29–13 win over the New England Patriots. The victory gave him a championship in his second professional season and confirmed his role as a foundational piece of Seattle’s offensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 5 inches and 301 pounds, Sundell combines the size of a traditional interior lineman with the mobility developed from his experience at left tackle in college. His track-type strength lies in pass protection, where his length and footwork allow him to anchor against larger defenders. He also shows sound communication skills at the line of scrimmage, a critical trait for a center responsible for setting protections and identifying defensive fronts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sundell’s signature moment came in Super Bowl LX, where he started at center and helped Seattle secure a 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots. He also became a Super Bowl champion in only his second professional season, a rare accomplishment for an undrafted player. Earlier in his career, he contributed to three FCS national championships at North Dakota State, giving him a championship pedigree that has followed him to the NFL.
Jalen Sundell Career Wins
Jalen Sundell’s career is marked by a series of team championships at both the collegiate and professional levels. From his time at North Dakota State to his role with the Seattle Seahawks, he has been part of winning rosters that have delivered titles. His combination of team success and individual recognition underscores his value as a steady contributor along the offensive line.
FCS Highlights
During his college career at North Dakota State, Sundell was part of three FCS national championship teams, winning titles in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Those championships came in a program that has been the standard-bearer of the subdivision for the better part of a decade. His individual recognition followed, with First-team FCS All-American and First-team All-MVFC honors in 2023, the year before he entered the NFL.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Sundell’s most prominent win came in Super Bowl LX, where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29–13. He started the game at center, anchoring a unit that protected the quarterback and supported a balanced offensive attack. The championship was a defining early-career moment and placed him among a select group of undrafted players who have reached the sport’s biggest stage.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCS National Championships | 3 | — | — |
| Super Bowl Championships | 1 | — | — |
Jalen Sundell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sundell grew up in Maryville, Missouri, where his family has been part of the local community for years. He attended Maryville High School, the same school where he developed into a college prospect. His younger sister, Serena Sundell, played guard for the Kansas State Wildcats and was selected by the Seattle Storm with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, giving the family a notable presence in professional sports.
Personal Life
Off the field, Sundell is known for his quiet, team-first approach. He has kept much of his personal life private, focusing on his professional development and his role with the Seahawks. His sister’s success in basketball has added to the family’s profile in sports, and the two have both represented the Maryville community at the highest levels of their respective games.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Jalen Sundell’s emergence as a full-time starting center for the Seattle Seahawks. Named the starter out of training camp, he started all nine games he appeared in before suffering a knee injury against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. The injury placed him on injured reserve on November 15, 2025, a significant setback for both player and team during a competitive stretch of the schedule.
Sundell was activated on December 13, ahead of the team’s Week 15 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, and quickly returned to the starting lineup. His late-season return helped stabilize the offensive line heading into the postseason. He went on to start in Super Bowl LX, where Seattle’s 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots capped a remarkable season for the second-year center.
Through 2025, Sundell had appeared in 25 NFL games with 13 starts, statistics that reflect his growth from a 12-game rookie contributor to a starting lineman on a championship roster. Entering the offseason, he is expected to remain a key part of Seattle’s offensive plans, with a continued role at center and a track record of postseason success that few undrafted players can match.
