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As the Trump Administration seeks to expand its immigrant detention capacity around the country by converting warehouses and other facilities to house thousands of detainees, local communities, government leaders, and even the would-be sellers of some of the buildings are putting up a fight.

President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" allocated $45 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to build new detention centers, part of a larger $170 million the law put toward immigration enforcement.

The agency has already made moves to acquire buildings to serve as detention centers in at least eight states, with three properties purchased just last month: one for $102 million in Maryland, another for $84 million in Pennsylvania, and a third for $70 million in Arizona.

But as the Administration's aggressive immigration crackdown draws widespread backlash and scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis in January, ICE's efforts to expand its detention network are also facing pushback.

Read more:Inside Mayor Jacob Frey's Fight For Minneapolis

Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippiwroteto Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday to voice his disapproval of the agency's plan to establish one such facility in his home state.

"While I support the enforcement of immigration law, I write to express my opposition to this acquisition and the proposed detention center," the senator wrote. Noting that in his understanding the facility would have room to house more than 8,500 beds, he added that the town of Byhalia, where it would be located, does not have enough medical and human services to support such a large detainee population.

Wicker is just the latest of a number of leaders who have spoken against the moves to build new detention centers or taken action to block their establishment as residents in many of the surrounding communities have made their own shows of protest.

Here are some of the other places where communities and their representatives are pushing back.

Oklahoma City

In Oklahoma City, the Department of Homeland Security outlined plans to convert a warehouse located near the largely Hispanic Western Heights School District into a detention center. But following weeks of opposition from locals and city council members, the company that owns the warehouse broke off talks with the agency and said it wouldn't be selling.

Mayor David Holt—a Republican—released a statement announcing the decision after meeting with the property owners last week.

"The owners of the property at 2800 S. Council Road confirmed to me this morning that they are no longer engaged with the Department of Homeland Security about a potential acquisition or lease of this property," Holt said. "I commend the owners for their decision and thank them on behalf of the people of Oklahoma City. As Mayor, I ask that every single property owner in Oklahoma City exhibit the same concern for our community in the days ahead."

Salt Lake City

In Salt Lake City, Mayor Erin Mendenhall last month sent a letter to the owner of a warehouse on the city's west side that was rumored to be in ICE's sights stating that if the facility were to be used a detention center it would be in violation of city code, according to theSalt Lake Tribune, which obtained a copy of the letter.

Some 50 Utahns gathered in early January outside of the warehouse to protest the suspected efforts to acquire the building to convert into an ICE facility, carrying American flags and "ICE OUT" signs.

Mendenhall, a Democrat, told the owner of the warehouse that the building would need to have enough bathrooms, exits, and fire emergency systems to satisfy zoning requirements if it were to hold more than 20 "individuals whose movements are restricted in any way," according to the Tribune. She also warned that a detention facility would "have an enormous impact" on the area's water supply and sewage system.

The mayor later called aggressive federal immigration enforcement actions in other cities "utterly deplorable" in a state of the city address. "Such a facility has no place in our city, whether at that site or anywhere else," Mendenhall said.

The 20 Democratic members of Utah's Senate and House of Representatives also sent a letter to the state's four U.S. House members and two U.S. senators calling for them to combat the apparent plans for the facility.

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"We urge you to publicly oppose the placement of an ICE detention facility in Utah, demand transparency and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security and use your oversight and appropriations authority to prevent federal funding from being used to expand immigration detention here," reads the letter.

The Ritchie Group, which owns the warehouse DHS was rumored to be interested in purchasing, last week released a statement saying it had no intention of selling or leasing the property to the government following the pushback.

Kansas City

Federal agents toured another large warehouse, in Kansas City, in mid-January. Democratic Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca IV, who said he went by the facility to observe after being told DHS was touring it, shared avideoof federal officers shining a flashlight at him and asking him questions while he was in his car. Abarca said in the post that ICE agents confirmed the agency was "looking to place a 7,500 bed facility in this or a similar building in the area."

Hours later, city council members issued a moratorium on approvals for nonmunicipal detention facilities in a 12-1 vote. The moratorium is in effect until Jan. 15, 2031, and covers any permits, zoning, or development applications that would need the city's approval. The warehouse would require a special use permit from the city to operate as a detention center.

"If they want to continue to do business in Kansas City, they need to understand that you are not going to sell out our community for short-term profit," council member Johnathan Duncan, who represents the district in which the warehouse is located,toldlocal NPR affiliate KCUR.

Abarca has said he will seek to impose a similar moratorium on the county level.

The day after the city council approved the measure, the property's owner, independent private investment firm Platform Ventures, toldlocaloutletsin a statement that it was approached with an unsolicited offer to buy the warehouse in October 2025 and that "all negotiations are complete."

"PV does not question prospective buyers on their intent after close, and we will not engage in public conversations involving speculation over future uses," the company said.

Ashland, Virginia

The owner of yet another warehouse eyed by ICE, a 550,000 square-foot facility in the small town of Ashland, Virginia, announced last week that it would no longer be selling the property to DHS after news of the planned sale drew backlash.

"The transaction to sell our industrial building in Ashland, Virginia will not be proceeding," the Canadian company, Jim Pattison Developments, said in astatement.

DHS's acquisition of the building faced opposition from both local residents and leaders, as well as voices within Canada .

Sean Davis, the chairman of the board of supervisors in Hanover County, where Ashland is located, told residents that the board opposed the sale after hundreds gathered at the county administrative building to protest the transaction before it was cancelled.

Amid the outcry, the company said in a statement the week before it announced it was not going through with the sale that it had not been aware of the ultimate owner or intended use of the building at the time that it accepted the offer to buy the warehouse from "a U.S. government contractor."

"We understand that the conversation around immigration policy and enforcement is particularly heated, and has become much more so over the past few weeks," Jim Pattison Developments said at the time. "We respect that this issue is deeply important to many people."

Elkridge, Maryland

Nearby in Maryland, Howard County executive Calvin Ballannouncedearlier this week that the county had revoked a building permit for another planned detention facility in Elkridge.

"The retrofitting of private office buildings for detention use, without transparency, without public input, without clear oversight, is deeply troubling," Ball, a Democrat, said at a news conference on Monday.

At a publichearingabout the proposed facility on Thursday, county leaders said they believed the Administration was seeking to convert a 29,000 office building into an ICE detention center and discussed two proposed bills that are aimed at preventing such a move.

"We all know in this room that an ICE detention facility is not welcome here in Elkridge and it's not welcome anywhere in Maryland," Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth, who represents the area in the House, said during the hearing.

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The US military conducted a strike against another alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday, killing two people, according to US Southern Command.

"On Feb. 5, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations," SOUTHCOMwrote on X, adding that no US military personnel were harmed in the strike.

Donovanassumed command of SOUTHCOMon Thursday and now oversees US military operations and engagements across Latin America and the Caribbean.

At least 119 people have now been killed in strikes on suspected drug boats as part of a campaign, dubbed Operation Southern Spear, that the Trump administration has said is aimed at curtailing narcotics trafficking.

The boat strike is the second known attack of the year.A strike in Januarykilled two people, leaving one survivor.

The administration has publicly presented little evidence that those killed in the ongoing campaign are affiliates of drug cartels, or that each of the vessels had drugs on them. When pressed by lawmakers during congressional briefings, military officials have acknowledged they do not know the identities of everyone on board the boats they have destroyed.

The legality of the strikes has come under intense scrutiny in Congress since the operations began in September, including particular interest in the very first attack, when the militarycarried out a second strikethat killed two survivors of an initial attack. Multiple current and former military lawyers previously told CNN the strikes do not appear lawful.

The Trump administration has told Congress the US is in an "armed conflict" against drug cartels.

US officials have positioned the boat strikes and a huge military buildup in the Caribbean as a way to stop the flow of drugs into the US, but Trump administration officials previously acknowledged in private that the USpressure campaignhad been aimed at ousting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

The US military in early January captured Maduro from Caracas and brought him to New York to face criminal charges, which hepleaded not guiltyto last month.

Some members of Congress, as well as human rights groups, have questioned the basis of the strikes and argued that potential drug traffickers should face prosecution, as had been the policy of interdiction carried out by the US before President Donald Trump took office.

The families of two men believed to have been killed in an October military strike on a boat in the regionfiled a lawsuit last weekagainst the US government for wrongful death and extrajudicial killing of the men.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNN's Haley Britzky and Zachary Cohen contributed reporting.

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This latest cold front will surge through the East through Saturday. Here's what you need to know.

High Wind Threat

Strong northwest winds will develop behind the cold front in the East on Saturday and will last into at least Saturday night, if not Sunday morning, as low pressure strengthens well offshore.

The National Weather Service has issued high wind warnings in the mid-Atlantic and Appalachians, areas in the darkest purple shading in the map below. This includes Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Roanoke, Virginia, and Asheville, North Carolina.

In these areas, gusts to 60 mph are possible, capable of knocking out power and damaging some trees.

How Cold?

The NWS has also issued extreme cold alerts for parts of the East, from Maine to eastern North Carolina.

Areas in extreme cold warnings, shown by the darkest blue contour in the map below, include the New York City tri-state, Philadelphia and Hartford. This means it could be cold enough to cause frostbite or hypothermia if you're outside long enough.

Temperatures

Dozens of daily record cold highs will be in jeopardy Saturday and Sunday, generally from the single digits in the coldest spots to the teens and 20s elsewhere in the Northeast, and 30s in North Carolina.

By Sunday and Monday morning, expect single-digit lows above or below zero in much of the Northeast from Pennsylvania and New Jersey northward, teens in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, and 20s into North Carolina.

Sunday and Monday could be the coldest mornings of the winter so far, from the New York City tri-state into New England, including Boston.

Wind Chills

The winds we mentioned earlier, combined with this cold, will send wind chills plunging below zero in much of the Northeast this weekend.

In parts of New York state, New England and the Appalachians, wind chills in the minus teens or even minus 20s are possible.

Snow, Too

Fortunately, we're not expecting another snowstorm the likes of recent winter stormsFern, norGianna. However, snow will accompany the cold front through Saturday in the East.

Most areas should see snowfall totals less than 6 inches, except for parts of the Appalachians, Adirondacks and New England, where some higher totals are possible.

The combination of snow, possibly occurring in bursts known as snow squalls, along with strong winds could lead to sharp reductions in visibility and challenging travel in a few areas.

(MORE:What Is A Snow Squall?)

Any Relief Coming?

The short answer is, "Yes, somewhat." We do expect temperatures to rise above freezing in much of the Interstate 95 corridor by Tuesday.

But, in general, the warm-up in the Northeast will be relatively muted compared to the rest of the South and central U.S. during the week.

(MAPS:10-Day US Forecast Highs/Lows)

Cold Stretch

It's been an impressively cold stretch in the East since mid-January.

According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, dozens of locations in the East have had their top-10 coldest Jan. 15-Feb. 4 three-week periods on record. Detroit and Pittsburgh have each had their third-coldest such period, and coldest since 1963 and 1977, respectively.

It was alsoPittsburgh's coldest January in 12 years.

On Groundhog Day, New York City finallybroke its nine-day streakof at or below freezing temperatures, its longest streak in over eight years.

Washington's nine-day streak at or below freezing was its sixth-longest, and the longest since 1989.

The persistent cold and multiple winter storms have also left Philadelphia with at least 5 inches of snow cover for over a week straight, its longest such streak since the epic Snowmageddon storms ofFebruary 2010.

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him onBluesky,X (formerly Twitter)andFacebook.

At which point, one of the more complicated and controversial elements of these Olympics will surface.

Officially, Russia is banned from the Olympics because Russian presidentVladimir Putinordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the Milano Cortina Games, there will be no Russian flags, no Russian anthems and no Russian national colors incoporated in the competition. (The same holds true for Belarus, which has supported Russia in the war.)

Follow the Winter Olympics:Get all the latest news and insights from Milan

But there will be athletes with Russian and Belarussian passports competing as "Individual Neutral Athletes," or AINs for short, if they meet specific conditions. That contingent will include 13 Russians and seven Belarussians, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Jan. 29.

If any of the AIN athletes were to win gold, a wordless anthem commissioned by the IOC would play. And none of the them will be allowed to participate in the Opening Ceremony Feb. 6. The IOC used the same procedure for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

How do 'neutral' athletes qualify?

Russia and Belarus were banned from competing in the Olympics for violating the Olympic truce. The truce stems from a tradition of laying down arms to allow athletes to compete in peace. But now athletes have an avenue to compete even if their own countries have been banned.

At the request of the IOC, the international federations in each sport determine whether to allow Russian athletes to compete in their events. That resulted in opportunity from some and bans from others.

Next comes the screening process. A panel created by the IOC reviews the athletes' activity and posts on social media. Any public support for the war against Ukraine or ties to the war is supposed to disqualify athletes.

Athletes from team sports are not eligible to compete.

How are Ukrainians responding?

In December, the International Luge Federation withdrew eligibility of three Russian athletes whose neutrality came under question, according to the Associated Press. But that didn't end the controversy when days later other Russians competed in a World Cup event in Lake Placid, New York.

Ukrainian luger Anton Dukach told reporters he doesn't think any Russian athletes should be allowed to compete.

"They are not neutral," Dukach said. "They are supporting the war against Ukraine, against civilians, against family members, against me."

Two Russian lugers will compete in the Games.

On Dec. 10, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation granted neutral status to two Russian cross country skiers. That same day, a group called Base of Ukrainian Sports (Ukrsportbase) used its X account to accuse one of the skiers of having "illegally visited annexed Crimea, where she participated in training camps."

Ukrsportbase's mission: "We inform about Ukrainian sports and the criminal support of Russian aggression by athletes outside of politics.

Who blocked the Russians

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) did not offer Russians a chance to qualify as through the neutral athlete pathway.

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"I agree with and support the IBSF's decision," Elana Meyers Taylor, a five-time Olympic medalist, told NBC. "Sport should be used to promote peace and fair play, and we need to stand firm against those that don't support those values."

Athletes from banned countries are barred from playing in team sports, so the World Curling Federation and the International Ice Hockey Federation had no decision to make regarding the Milano Cortina Games.

The Russians fought back through the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn bans from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation and International Luge Federation. The International Biathlon Union has fought to maintain its ban of the neutrals

The International Skating Union and International Ski Mountaineering Federation allowed Russians a chance to qualify as neutrals.

Impact of the bans

For Russia, the bans began with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Olympics for state-sponsored doping. So-called "clean" Russian athletes got to compete.

More than 200 Russians participated at the 2022 Winter Olympics and they won 32 medals, including five gold. Four days after those Olympics ended Jan. 20, Russia invaded Ukraine.

The subsequent ban was far stricter.

Under "Individual Neutral Athletes" screening process, 15 Russians competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and two won medals. Belarussian gymnast Ivan Litvinovich was the only neutral athlete to win a gold with his victory in the men's trampoline.

Will Russian athletes compete in ice hockey and ice skating?

NHL players will compete in the Olympics for the first time since 2014 but Russian stars such as Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin won't be on the ice. Russian and Belarussian athletes are excluded from competing in team sports because their countries are banned. Russian figure skaters have won gold and silver in the women's singles in the past two Olympics. But this year only one Russian woman figure skater, Adeliia Petrosian, has qualified as an Individual Neutral Athlete.

Which Russian athletes will compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Alpine skiing (2):Yulia Pleshkova, Simon Efimov

Cross country skiing (2):Savelii Korostelev, Daria Nepryaeva

Figure skating (2):Adeliia Petrosian, Petr Gumennik

Luge (2):Daria Olesik, Pavel Repilov.

Short track speedskating (2):Ivan Posashkov, Alena Krylova

Ski Mountaineering (1):Nikita Filippov

Speed Skating (2):Kseniia Korzhova, Anastasiia Semenova

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Is Russia in the Olympics? These athletes will compete as neutrals

Significant NFL turnarounds in recent years have followed a similar path. Last year, theWashington Commandersmade the NFC championship game following a 4-13 campaign the year before. In 2023, theHouston Texansmade a run to the divisional playoffs a year after going 3-13-1.

Like those teams, New England has a new coaching staff, which helped their turnaround to AFC champion. But it also has been an influx of new talent - especially rookies.

'Highly disappointed in you':Asante Samuel rips Tom Brady for not rooting for Patriots in Super Bowl 60

Super Bowl 60 picks:Seahawks or Patriots, and who wins MVP?

Top draft picksWill CampbellandTreVeyon Hendersonplayed crucial roles in the Patriots' season, as is expected. It's not just a two-man rookie class.

New England has 13 rookies on the 53-man active roster. That's more than any other of the final four teams in the postseason. They're not just depth pieces, either; New England has five rookie starters across the lineup on offense, defense and special teams.

Here's how they've pushed the Patriots to the brink of a seventh world championship.

Super Bowl VII (Dolphins 14, Washington 7): Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Manny Fernandez (75) tackles Washington running back Larry Brown (43) in Super Bowl VII at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dolphins completed a 17-0 undefeated season with the win.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVI (49ers 26, Bengals 21): San Francisco 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott (42) celebrates a goal line stand against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XVI at the Silverdome.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVII (Washington 27, Dolphins 17): Washington running back John Riggins (44) breaks loose from Miami Dolphins defensive back Don McNeal (28) on a 43-yard touchdown run during Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVIII (Raiders 38, Washington 9): Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) carries the ball against Washington safety Mark Murphy (29) during Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXII (Washington 42, Broncos 10): Washington quarterback Doug Williams (17) looks to throw against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXIV (49ers 55, Broncos 10) : San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (33) celebrates with teammates against the Denver Broncos at the Superdome. The 55 points scored by the 49ers remains a Super Bowl record.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXVI (Washington 37, Bills 24): Washington cornerback Alvoid Mays (20) hits Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly (12), causing him to fumble during Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XL (Steelers 21, Seahawks 10): Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward jumps in the air and scores after catching a 43-yard touchdown pass from fellow wideout Antwaan Randle El.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 51 (Patriots 34, Falcons 28 - OT): New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman hauls in a catch off a deflected pass that would help New England mount the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. The game also featured the first ever overtime in a Super Bowl.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 53 (Patriots 13, Rams 3): Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore makes a pivotal interception in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the win, the Patriots tied the Steelers for most Super Bowl victories (six).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 55 (Buccaneers 31, Chiefs 9): Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski spikes the football after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 56 (Rams 23, Bengals 20): Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches the game-winning touchdown pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple defends at SoFi Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 57 (Chiefs 38, Eagles 35): The Chiefs' Kadarius Toney (19) is tackled by the Philadelphia Eagles' Nakobe Dean (17) and Arryn Siposs (8) after a Super Bowl-record 65-yard punt return at State Farm Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 58 (Chiefs 25, 49ers 22, OT): Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) celebrates with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday

Helping an All-Pro QB

QuarterbackDrake Mayeis an MVP contender and earned second-team All-Pro honors this season. Only one of his starting offensive linemen was on the team last season.

On the left side, Campbell protects his blind side at tackle alongside fellow rookieJared Wilsonat guard.

The two worked out together prior to the 2025 NFL Draft. Campbell went fifth overall to New England, Wilson at No. 95.

"When I got drafted, I didn't put it together that Will was drafted here too," Wilson said. "After a day, I was like, 'Oh wait, I'll be playing next to Will.' It was a pretty cool moment."

"[Wilson]'s worked extremely hard and I love playing next to him," Campbell said. "I look forward to playing next to him for a while."

They both credit the staff with preparing them to be ready come Week 1 of the regular season.

"I've learned a lot from this staff," Campbell said. "Coach Vrabel, [offensive line coach] Doug Marrone, you know, those are two guys that have been along, been head coaches... we have a very hands-on head coach who is very helpful and he's been like that since I first met him."

It's not just the staff. New England brought in multiple starters as free agents, including right tackleMorgan Moses. Wilson credits him with helping the rookie linemen protect their franchise quarterback well.

"[Moses] has played 12 years in the league which means you're doing something really good," Wilson said.

Moses admits it's been a two-way street.

"I wish I had the same growth that they had when I was a rookie coming in but that's a testament to who they are as people, as football players," Moses said. "What they are and what they stand for, this offensive line, is who we want to be as an offensive line. ... I wouldn't call it a mentorship. It's been a great relationship throughout the offensive line."

Veteran free agents helping rookies isn't confined to the offensive line room. Additions in the wide receiver room are helping the younger players like undrafted rookieEfton Chism III. For him,Mack HollinsandStefon Diggshave been invaluable resources.

"For us to have the success we've had, it goes to show those older guys that they've brought in and the people that are here now, it's the mentality that coach Vrabel wanted and the coaching staff brings to work every day," Chism said.

Rising to the occasion on defense, special teams

There's only one rookie starter on defense: safetyCraig Woodson. The fourth-round pick out of Cal started Week 1 for a Patriots defense that finished top-five in the league in points allowed.

"They've instilled confidence in us in each and every one of us," Woodson said. "It's having that support throughout the whole season that's been big."

Like Campbell, Wilson and Chism on offense, he's had veterans around him to rely on in the secondary.Christian Gonzalezis one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and free agent additionCarlton Davis IIIbrought seven years of experience to the Patriots.

"They've given me a lot of wisdom and really calmed me down," Woodson said. "Early in the season, everything's moving fast but having them by my side helped me see the game slower."

Woodson earned a reputation for physical run defense in college. He brought that to the defense from the jump but saved his best play in coverage for the postseason.

In the playoffs, he's allowed just three receptions on 10 targets, notched three pass breakups and earned his first career interception against theHouston Texansin the divisional round.

A week later, a 23-yard field goal in a snowstorm by rookie kickerAndy Borregalesmade the difference against the Denver Broncosto send the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

"It's never going to be perfect.. but when we've needed Andy, I think he's really settled in," Vrabel said. "We've made big kicks when we've had to... if [Super Bowl 60] comes down to a field goal I'm confident that those guys will execute."

Paying it back

The Patriots rookies have leaned on the veterans and coaching staff to get them to the brink of a world championship.

"I'm more happy for the older veterans that have callused themselves in this league," Wilson said. "This is their first time in this game, really happy for those guys."

None of the players on New England's active roster was on the team when the Patriots won their most recent Super Bowl in 2018. The veterans came from other places; for all but a few, this is the furthest they've ever made it in the playoffs.

"As a young guy, when you have great veterans around you like Stefon Diggs, Morgan Moses, Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, who've lost in the Super Bowl, you want to see those guys get one," Campbell said. "To be able to be a part of that for them has been really cool."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How the New England Patriots' rookies have stepped up for Super Bowl 60