Played high school football at John Curtis Christian High School in River Ridge, Louisiana and graduated in 1986. Finished third in balloting for the Butkus Award in 1988 and 1990 during his career at Notre Dame (1986–1990). His father, Steve Stonebreaker, also played in the NFL. Michael is a member of College Football Hall of Fame, having been admitted in 2023, becoming the 49th Notre Dame player to make the Hall, which is the most of any school.