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Michael Stonebreaker

Linebacker

Inducted 2023

Date of Birth

1/14/1967

Birthplace

Baltimore, MD

School

University of Notre Dame (1986-1990)

Bio

Michael Stonebreaker stood in the center of a Notre Dame defense that helped the undefeated Irish team capture the national title in 1988. Stonebreaker was a two-time First Team All-America, earning consensus honors in 1988 and unanimous laurels in 1990. During his three seasons playing in South Bend, the Irish went 26-9, including the undefeated 1988 season, which culminated with a 34-21 victory over West Virginia in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl and Notre Dame claiming the national title. Stonebreaker registered 104 tackles in 1988, second most on the team. Stonebreaker led Notre Dame with 95 tackles in 1990 after missing the entire 1989 season. During his senior campaign, Stonebreaker was responsible for three of the biggest late-game defensive plays of the season. Against Michigan in the first game of the season, he made a game-deciding interception in the fourth quarter of a 28-24 win. The following week, Stonebreaker made another fourth quarter pick to secure a 20-19 victory over Michigan State. Midway through the season against the No. 2 ranked Miami Hurricanes, he sealed a 29-20 upset with a fourth-quarter fumble recovery at the Irish two-yard line. The 1990 team went 9-3, earning a trip to the Orange Bowl to play Colorado. The Irish finished No. 6 in the final polls, and Stonebreaker received invitations to the Japan and Hula Bowls. During his three seasons in South Bend, he tallied 220 career tackles, eight pass breakups, and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.