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Seven Former Michigan Players Still in the Hunt for Super Bowl Title

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Wright | Last updated Jan 20, 2025 5:43 PM ET

With players spread across the Eagles, Chiefs, and Commanders, seven former Michigan Wolverines are still in the hunt for a Super Bowl title following the NFL's divisional round. While some made important contributions this weekend, others are sidelined on injured reserve. Here’s a look at how these Michigan alumni have performed so far in the 2025 playoffs and what lies ahead in the conference championships.

In the NFC, the second-seeded Philadelphia Eagles escaped a late comeback by the Los Angeles Rams to advance. The Eagles boast three former Wolverines on their roster, though two are currently on injured reserve. Linebacker Ben VanSumeren has been out since November 30, while defensive end Brandon Graham suffered a torn triceps earlier in the season, cutting short what could be the end of his remarkable 15-year NFL career. Rookie offensive guard Trevor Keegan didn’t take the field in the 28-22 win but made his debut in Week 18 and could still see action this postseason.

The Kansas City Chiefs, the AFC’s top seed, are set to host the Buffalo Bills next Sunday. Defensive tackle Mike Danna started in the Chiefs’ 23-14 win over the Houston Texans, recording two tackles while playing 63% of the defensive snaps. Danna, a 2020 fifth-round pick, has been a steady presence for a Kansas City defense that ranked fourth in points allowed during the regular season. Meanwhile, linebacker Josh Uche, acquired midseason in a trade with the New England Patriots, didn’t play against Houston. Despite limited postseason action, Uche had shown promise in the regular season, including a season-high eight tackles in Week 18.

The Washington Commanders pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the weekend, upsetting the top-seeded Detroit Lions 45-31. Rookie defensive back Mike Sainristil stole the spotlight, delivering a standout performance with two interceptions, five tackles, and two pass deflections. Sainristil, a second-round pick, has been a revelation for Washington, starting 16 games this season and racking up 93 tackles and 14 pass breakups. Head coach Dan Quinn praised Sainristil’s instincts, saying, “Mike is somebody that’s hard to fool. He takes to coaching quickly and doesn’t repeat mistakes.”

Defensive back Benjamin St-Juste, who played one season at Michigan before transferring to Minnesota, also suited up for the Commanders. However, the 2021 third-rounder saw limited action, playing just five snaps against Detroit after starting most of the regular season.

Looking ahead, the Eagles will host the Commanders in an NFC East showdown, while the Chiefs prepare for a highly anticipated clash with the Bills. With their NFL careers shaped by Michigan roots, these former Wolverines will be aiming to make their mark as the road to the Super Bowl continues.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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