MyIndianaFootball.com

Three New York Giants players who prepped in Indiana high schools, two from Indianapolis, will return to their home state for Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

Sixth year linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (6-5, 267) will make his first appearance in the Super Bowl after being placed on the injured reserve list for the Giants’ last trip in 2008. He was born in Indianapolis, attended Cathedral High School and Boston College before being drafted 32^nd overall by the Giants in the 2006 NFL Draft. While at Cathedral, Kiwanuka was part of Cathedral’s 4A state championship teams during his sophomore and junior seasons in 1998 and 1999. Kiwanuka picked off a Goshen pass in the final seconds of the 1999 championship game that preserved a 24-21 come-from-behind victory for the Irish. He also tallied five tackles and a pass reception in the game.

James Brewer (6-6, 323) is a backup tackle in his rookie season after being drafted in the fourth round (117^th overall) out of Indiana University (2006-10); Brewer  was named 5A All-State as a senior at Indianapolis Arlington High School (2005) in his only year of high school football.

Seventh year punter Steve Weatherford is in his first year with the Giants organization. The Terre Haute North High School alum was a two-time all-state kicker for the Patriots and went on to set the school record at the University of Illinois for career punting average (43.5). Weatherford tied an NFL record in 2010 as a member of the New York Jets by placing 42 punts inside the 20-yard line.

There is also a New England Patriot with Indianapolis ties. DuJuan Daniels, the 1997 Indiana Mr. Football, is a scouting assistant with the Patriots. A graduate of Bishop Chatard High School, Daniels led the Trojans to the 1997 Class 3A State Championship. He spent 2004-2005 as the offensive coordinator for the Cathedral Fighting Irish. He became a member of the Patriots staff in 2006.

Eleven others have in-state ties either as a player or coach at the collegiate or professional level.

New York Giants

·     Justin Tuck: Seventh year defensive end; played at Notre Dame (2001-04).

·     Tony Ugoh: Fifth year offensive tackle; played first three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (2007-09).

·     Andre Brown: Second year running back; played for the Indianapolis Colts (2010).

·     Michael Coe: Fifth year defensive back; played for the Indianapolis Colts (2007).

·     Justin Tyron: Fifth year defensive back; played for the Indianapolis Colts (2010-11).

·     Jerald Ingram: Eighth year as the Giants’ running backs coach; coached six seasons at Ball State, first as a tight ends coach and then as the running backs coach (1985-90).

New England Patriots

·     Sergio Brown: Second year backup strong safety with the Patriots; played collegiately at Notre Dame (2006-09).

·     Niko Koutouvides: Eighth year backup linebacker/special teams player; played collegiately at Purdue (2000-03).

·     Matt Light: Two-time Pro Bowl selection at tackle in his eleventh NFL season; played at Purdue (1996, 1998-2000).

·     Rob Ninkovich: Sixth year outside linebacker; played at Purdue (2004-05).

·     Patrick Graham: Third year linebackers coach; former graduate assistant at Notre Dame (2007-08).

Thanks to IHSAA Athletic Administration intern Joe Hoffman, a Clinton Prairie High School and IUPUI graduate, for researching this information from each respective team’s NFL website.