Starkville Daily News: McPhee reaches the top, uses each level to make Super Bowl
Danny P. Smith/Starkville Daily News

The road to the Super Bowl can only be achieved through hard work.

Pernell McPhee has that aspect covered.

Throughout his high school, junior college, major college and National Football League career, McPhee has used that plan to reach each level.

The former defensive lineman for Itawamba Community College and Mississippi State realizes a dream on Sunday when he takes the field at the Superdome in New Orleans, La., for the Super Bowl as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

"It's a blessing," McPhee said. "A lot of guys don't make it this far and I'm really excited, not only to play in the Super Bowl, but to play at this level.

"It's been crazy and a roller coaster ride. I've been through a lot of things and fought through a lot of things. It's been all fun since I've been here."

McPhee's journey on the gridiron started at Pahokee High School in Florida. In only one season of prep play, McPhee led the Muckers to a 14-0 record and the Class 2B State championship.

After signing with Southern Mississippi out of high school, McPhee decided to take a detour to the north and ended up in Fulton with coach Jeff Terrill at Itawamba Community College.

Terrill, who is now the coach at Starkville Academy, remembers what McPhee was like when he arrived with the Indians.

"As a true freshman, he was under 200 pounds," Terrill said. "He started off as a five-technique and pass rush end for us. He finished about 230 pounds the first year. He got up to 250 his sophomore year."

McPhee became a two-time junior college All-American at ICC and started getting attention from schools such as >>> click here to read more from Smith on McPhee's road to the Super Bowl.