They did it! Michigan has won its first NCAA title since 1997. This is quite the accomplishment. One that would not have been possible without the help of some key players that hail from Massachusetts. Massachusetts has not necessarily been a haven for professional athletes in the NFL in the past however maybe that is about to change. Look what the Pop Warner Dorchester Eagles just accomplished, winning the Pop Warner Super Bowl this year. Talented football players of all ages are right here in Massachusetts and these players on the Michigan roster deserve all the praise.

The stand out of course is Everett’s own Mike Sainristil. The defensive back intercepted Michael Penix Jr. late in the fourth quarter and returned it 81 yards. Two plays later, Michigan would be up 21 points. Mike and his family actually live in Peabody and according to his dad Raymonde who spoke to NBC10 Boston: “I would say ‘proud’ is an understatement, I have no word to describe my feeling and my emotion,” Raymonde Sainristil said. “Mikey is the type of a child that every parent would ask for.”

One of Sainristil’s teammates from Everett High School was also on the Michigan team that just won a championship.  Josaiah Stewart actually made five tackles in the championship game to hold Washington to 301 total yards.

Bottom line, there is a lot of talent here in Massachusetts and of course we are all so proud of these athletes. Let’s meet the 9 athletes from Massachusetts who helped Michigan win its first national title in decades.

• Mike Sainristil from Peabody (Everett High School)

  Mike and his family reside in Peabody. This defensive back was Named an All-American (first team) by ESPN, Fox Sports, the Sporting News; second team by Sports Illustrated. He was born in Haiti but moved to the US when he was just 7 months old. This is Mike’s fifth season at Michigan.

• Josaiah Stewart born in Bronx, NY but played at Everett High School

  Stewart is a 6-2, 235-pound Weak-Side Defensive End.  His last tweet from yesterday read “Woke up a national champ.” 

• Kalel Mullings from West Roxbury, went to Milton Academy

  Kalel Mullings is a running back who had three carries for 21 of Michigan’s 303 rushing yards.  He went to Milton Academy. Kalel has appeared in 41 career games including 22 on defense and 13 at running back with one start on defense.

• Eamonn Dennis from Worcester, went to St. John's in Shrewsbury

  Eamonn is a wide receiver who played for St. John’s. He made one tackle on a punt in the fourth quarter against Washington. Eamonn also played pop warner football in Worcester. He has a lot of pride being from Worcester and is happy the city is getting some love. 

  Former St. John's star helps lead Michigan to CFP title game

  Dennis will be on the field Monday night when the Wolverines take on Washington for the national championship.

• TJ Guy from Mansfield, played for Mansfield High

  Choosing a school where TJ could excel on the field and off was important to Guy. He plays defensive edge and is a Junior at Michigan.

  https://www.thesunchronicle.com/sports/local_sports/mansfield-football-basketball-standout-guy-commits-to-michigan/article_d56190fb-ada4-5cd8-81e1-63f918e7380d.html

• Peyton O'Leary from Byfield, played prep football at Governor's Academy

  Peyton is a very gifted athlete. He was a high school captain in three sports — basketball, lacrosse, and football.  He actually committed to UMass Amherst to play lacrosse but his love for football brought him to Michigan. 

  Peyton O'Leary's path to Michigan, outlook for 2023

  O'Leary's a name to remember heading into the season.

• Zak Zinter, from North Andover went to The Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

  Zak didn’t play in the national championship game due to a season ending injury he suffered breaking his tibia and fibula vs. Ohio State. Zinter was selected by the conference coaches as a first-team offensive guard on the 2022 All-Big Ten Conference football team. 

  Mass. native becomes consensus All-American for Michigan football

  Zak Zinter, of North Andover, was a stalwart along the offensive line for a Michigan Wolverines team that earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

• Greg Crippen from Northborough

  Greg is an offensive lineman. While he did play in 9 games for Michigan, he did not play in the national championship game. Crippen said he always knew he wanted to go to Michigan when he was younger. He attended Milton Academy as a freshman.

  Northborough's Greg Crippen signs National Letter of Intent to play football at University of Michigan

  On Wednesday, Greg Crippen's dream came true. He signed to play football at University of Michigan.

• Stone Anderson from Deerfield

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