Mike Sainristil 2024 Draft Profile

Mike Sainristil NFL Draft Overview

Position: Cornerback School: Michigan

Height:  5’9

Weight: 182 lbs

Age: 23 years old

Arm: 30 7/8″

Hand: 8 1/2″

40 yard Dash: 4.47 seconds

What a year for the Michigan Wolverines! Winning a national championship, a great promotion of coaches, and future NFL Draft selections. One of the best defenses in college football history led the team. The Wolverine’s defense was number one or top three in every major statistical category. By the way, they played an extra two games more than most of the country!! What a dominant performance. One of the players leading the Wolverines was captain Mike Sainristil.

Sainristil was a three-star corner recruit out of Everett, Massachusetts, who was committed to the Michigan Wolverines. However, he changed positions to wide receiver during his first three years at Michigan. It was not working out like Sainristil and the coaches had hoped, so he transferred back to the corner. Star emerged as he quickly became a full-time Wolverine starter and captain. In 2023, Sainristil returned for his first year and put on a masterpiece of a season. They started all 15 games with 44 tackles and six interceptions! He earned All-American honors and became a champion. However, will his late career heroics get him into the first round? Let’s dig into the film!

Mike Sainristil Player Evaluation

Sainristil’s Strengths

• He is a very fluid mover with no wasted steps, quick transitions, and good hips. Has a good fluid backpedal and Breaks on the ball with good quickness and intensity.
• Great zone defender and football IQ. He has good instincts and play recognition in zone coverage.
• Not afraid to play with reckless abandon and loves the game of football. He attacks ball carriers and closes in quickly vs the quick/screen game.
• He has natural hands to make interceptions—six interceptions in 2023. True ball hawk. The former wide receiver helps here.
• Good disguise, Blitzer off the slot.

Sainristil’s Weakness

• He does not have the height, size, or frame to add weight to become an outside corner—strictly slot corner/third safety.
• Although physical, he will be picked on in the run game due to his natural small stature. He will give up some plays in the run game due to the small size.
• Due to lack of size can sometimes become a drag tackler and can go along for the ride. Better athletes at the next level will test that.
• Only two years as a corner in college.

Projection: 5th Round Pick

NFL Comparison: Mike Hilton

Best Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bottom Line

Mike Sainristil is a starting Nickel corner/third safety in the NFL. He has excellent quickness and fluidity in his transitions and hips. He has great backpedal and breaks on the ball with ease. Mike has great hands and loves to get his hands on turnovers. However, due to their short size and lack of elite speed, he will fall into the draft as he’s seen as a specialist. My NFL Comparison was Mike Hilton. Hilton has carved out a lucrative career as a versatile third safety nickel corner type player. Expect Sainristil to do the same and make an NFL team very happy. Main Photo: [Junfu Han] – USA Today Sports