Massachusetts
Michigan star from Massachusetts drafted by Washington
Fresh off of helping Michigan win a national championship, cornerback Mike Sainristil is headed to the NFL.
Sainristil, a native of Everett, where he played for that city’s perennial powerhouse football program was taken by the Washington Commanders with the 18th pick of the second round and 50th overall of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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The 5-foot-9, 182-senior was the eighth cornerback selected in the 2024 draft. He was ESPN’s No. 75 prospect. He’s expected to play nickel in the NFL.
ESPN liked the pick and wrote:
“A missing piece of the defense for new head coach Dan Quinn was the nickel cornerback position. Sainristil is the best in the class at locking up receivers from the slot. His physicality, toughness, playmaking ability and instincts will make him a favorite of the coaching staff in a hurry. Sainristil might lack great size, but his ability to diagnose the play and find a way to create opportunities on the ball was consistent for the Michigan defense. The Commanders get a potential star here.”
Sainristil was second-team All-Big Ten in 2023. He had six interceptions including two that he returned for touchdowns. He had 44 tackles (four for loss), one sack, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
He joins fellow Everett natives Lewis Cine and Isaiah Likely in the NFL.