NORTH MUSKEGON, Mich. — North Muskegon High School graduate Noah Stewart was certainly fired up after the Michigan Wolverines won it all over Washington back in January.
However, there is something even better than being a national champion. The former walk-on offensive tackle will now play football on scholarship for the first time.
"I am fired up," Stewart said. "It's a dream come true."
After entering the transfer portal, Stewart had his options narrowed down to Grand Valley State and Eastern Washington. But following a talk with his older sister, Sophie, Noah knew it was an easy decision.
"She told me, she's like, 'This might be the last chance to ever be able to move out of Michigan,'" Stewart said. "I thought about that like, 'Man, she's probably right here.' I thought about it and settled at Eastern Washington."
It also helps that Eagles offensive coordinator Jim Chapin is a fellow Michigan alum. He knows exactly what Stewart went through to get here.
"These past four years have been great for me," Stewart said. "I've grown physically, mentally and spiritually. I feel at this next level I will be very well prepared to do whatever I need to do to help this team win."
That starts with earning a job as a starting offensive tackle in Cheney.
"I have to go out there and win the spot," Stewart said. "I have to work my tail off to get there. I don't want anything given to me. I am really excited to go out there and do whatever I can to help this team win."
From the Big Ten to the Big Sky, Stewart has never stopped chasing his big dreams, and he can't wait to live them.
"Every summer, winter, spring, fall in Michigan, I thought I was working towards nothing, punching a brick wall," Stewart said. "Finally, I am able to put all of this hard work into good use."
Stewart now has a degree in hand and he'll get to play college football for free. He will head to Eastern Washington in June. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
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