Sainirstil contains rare feel for the game
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Michigan DB Mike Sainirstil (No. 0 pictured) finished his career 36 receptions and five touchdowns. He also posted two touchdowns defensively.
Michigan defensive back Mike Sainirstil finished the 2023 campaign in style. He returned an interception 81 yards in the 2024 CFP National Championship game, and it was a fitting ending to a season that saw him return two interceptions for scores.
INSTINCTS
His 71-yard interception touchdown return against Rutgers came on a fourth down (4th and 2) late in the third quarter (4:41). With Michigan up by 10 points (17-7), Sainirstil aligned in man coverage over the slot as a nickel back. The receiver he was covering (No. 6 Christian Dremel) went to block Wolverines cornerback Will Johnson. Johnson was responsible for Scarlet Knights receiver JaQuae Jackson. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt was throwing the ball to Jackson on the play.
As Sainirstil saw Dremel attempting to block Johnson on the screen, he instead broke on the pass intended for Jackson. After somehow retrieving the pass, he kept his balance and took it the distance for the score.
The feel for the play was first-rate, but the return showed off his innate offensive skills.
His second interception touchdown of the season also came on a fourth down. And, not surprisingly, he was also in man coverage versus the slot receiver. The Wolverines were up 28-0 early in the third quarter versus Michigan State.
Spartans quarterback Katin Houser recognized the man coverage concept from the Wolverines and the team had mirrored dig/wheel concepts on both sides. The outside receiver takes an inside release versus the cornerback on the dig pattern. It is designed to change the angles of the defensive backs covering the wheel routes from the slot receivers.
Sainirstil effortlessly worked over the top of the potential traffic from Michigan State receiver Montorie Foster, Jr. Subsequently, he flipped his head around after bumping the wheel route being run by slot receiver Tre Mosley. He then picked off the pass like it was intended for him and turned back into a wide receiver. After that, he outran the inside-out angles of pursuit for the 72-yard interception touchdown return.
TOUGHNESS
Sainirstil plays the game like a former wide receiver. First, he catches the football like one on the defensive side of the ball, as his six interceptions in 2023 suggest. Secondly, prior to moving to defensive back, he caught 36 passes and five touchdowns for the Wolverines.
However, it is surprising that he ever lined up on offense with the way he tackles on a weekly basis. As a result, we think he is the number one nickel back prospect in this year’s draft.
COMPARISONS
Several comparisons are in order for Sainirstil. Let’s start with former Pittsburgh Steelers and current Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton. Hilton is one of the most aggressive nickel backs in the league and has been for nearly a decade. He contained similar short-area quickness to Sainirstil when he came out of Ole Miss.
Additionally, one of the NFL’s young nickel backs emerged in Denver just a season ago. Ja’Quan McMillian went undrafted in 2022, but turned in a fantastic second year. He posted 51 tackles, two quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and five pass breakups.
Michigan’s two-time team captain has a game that translates favorably to the NFL in a number of capacities. The fact that he can also give repetitions outside only adds to his value. Expect to hear Sainirstil’s name called by at least Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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