Mike Whitelock: 3 Cougars, 2 Utes, 1 Aggie to play in Super Bowl XLV

ARLINGTON, Texas — Here is a brief look at former BYU, Utah and Utah State players who will participate in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011.

Brett Keisel, BYU, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Keisel, who finished up at BYU in 2001, played in all 13 games his senior season with the Cougars and finished with 41 tackles and four sacks. The Steelers selected Keisel in seventh round (242nd overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. He is a 2011 NFL Pro Bowl selection but will not play in the game because of his participation in the Super Bowl.

Brady Poppinga, BYU, LB, Green Bay Packers

He served a two-year LDS mission before playing at BYU from 2001-04. In 2004, Poppinga started every game of his senior season and finished third on the team in tackles with 79 (35 solo) and six sacks. The Packers drafted Poppinga in the fourth round (125h overall selection) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He was injured mid-season and will not play in the Super Bowl. Before his injury he had 14 tackles.

Chris Hoke, BYU, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers

Hoke, who played at BYU from 1997-00, served a two-year LDS mission to Belgium and France before returning to BYU. In his senior year he had 51 tackles and five sacks. Hoke signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He struggled to get playing time for the first three years, but since then has been a solid contributor to the Steelers' defense.

Stevenson Sylvester, Utah, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

In his senior year at Utah, he was a First-Team all-MWC selection after recording 81 tackles and two sacks. He was named defensive MVP of the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl. The Steelers drafted Sylvester, who played at Utah from 2006-09, in the fifth round (166th overall selection) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He has made contributions on the Steelers' defense as a back up.

Chris Kemoeatu, Utah, OL, Pittsburgh Steelers

After his senior season at Utah, Kemoeatu received many prestigious honors. The Steelers selected Kemoeatu, who played for the Utes from 2001-04, in the sixth round (204th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. As a starter on the offensive line he is a valuable member of the Steelers' offense.

Jarrett Bush, Utah State, DB, Green Bay Packers

In his senior season at Utah State, Bush started all 11 games and finished fifth on the team in tackles with 50. He also had 13 pass break-ups, two interceptions and a sack. This year he had 21 tackles for the Packers.

Mike Whitelock is an author and sports writer.