Michigan football star defender wants to play some wide receiver

Last year, ex-Wolverine wideout Mike Sainristil was moved from wide receiver — which he had played for a few years in the Maize and Blue — to cornerback. While the move was sudden, the senior defensive back quickly became a Michigan football star defender and team captain last year. Now, during his fifth season in Ann Arbor, Sainristil says he wants to see a two-way role, playing some wideout once again before he leaves the University of Michigan.

Michigan football star defender wants to see a two-way role

Michigan football star defender Mike Sainristil is one of the top defensive backs in the Big Ten conference and an elite leader for the Wolverines this year. Sainsritil has been instrumental in defensive development over the past year or so, taking numerous young wide receivers and cornerbacks under his wing and developing them into special players.

Now a two-time Big Ten Champion and two-time team captain, Mike Sainristil seems quite happy with where he is at right now; however, there is still something more that he wants. Earlier this week, he had a chance to outline his desire to see some action back on the offensive side of the football throughout the 2023 season — a two-way role for the ex-wideout.

“I’m waiting for my moment, for my number to be called on offense,” he said earlier this week. “It’s awesome to see what Travis Hunter is doing at Colorado because it shows that it could be done. I feel like there are guys in a whole bunch of programs that are capable of doing that.”

Reps at cornerback AND wide receiver for Mike Sainristil?

As a wide receiver for Michigan football (from 2019 through 2021), Mike Sainristil hauled in 36 passes for 532 yards and five touchdowns. He has also returned a pair of punts, a pair of kickoffs, and even got a carry on offense in 2021.

“Big shout out to him (Travis Hunter) for what he’s doing over there,” Sainristil continued. “And you know, once Roman (Wilson) is tired, I’m ready to go over there (at wide receiver).”

On game days, the Michigan football star defender is needed at cornerback and as a team leader; however, keep an eye out this year for Mike Sainristil to potentially get some reps back on the offensive side of the football. We aren’t sure how the coaching staff feels about this move, but it’s clear that the fifth-year Wolverine wants to see some passes from JJ McCarthy this season.

This move could end up being beneficial for Michigan football if it is to happen. After all, just look at this insane catch that the former wide receiver made against Wisconsin a few years ago:

Mike Sainristil's touchdown catch was good. Everything else was bad.

Photos from Michigan's 49-11 loss to Wisconsin: https://t.co/R0QITeOTQI pic.twitter.com/T41ixGmfD3

— Mike Mulholland (@mulho2mj) November 15, 2020

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