Michigan football’s Mike Sainristil tears it up at NFL combine

Former Michigan football standout Mike Sainristil improved his draft stock after a stellar performance on Friday at the NFL combine.

The NFL draft stock of Michigan football standout Mike Sainristil has been rising in recent weeks and after his performance on Friday, it’s going to keep rising.

There was one negative…if you can call it that. Sainristil was measured at 5-foot-9 and some NFL teams aren’t fond of defensive backs under 5-foot-10. Some don’t even like players under 5-foot-11.

However, ask the Honey Badger if height has hindered him. Jaire Alexander has also been a standout NFL corner at essentially 5-foot-9.

If Sainristil was a boundary corner, it might be more of a concern. But as a nickel, he’s perfect. Sainrsitl can blitz, and cover, and if you have any doubts about his ability to hit or fill in the running game, well, then you haven’t watched the dude play.

Just ask a couple of Ohio State Buckeyes how hard he hits. Jalen McMillian, a Washington star wide receiver didn’t enjoy squaring off against Mikey in the national title game. “He was pissing me off.” The Huskies pass catcher said, calling him the best DB he’s faced in college.

Washington WR Jalen McMillan says Michigan DB Mike Sainristil is the toughest player he faced in college.

“He was pissing me off…he was calling out formations…routes.”

— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) March 1, 2024

That’s because Sainristil is a great tackler and tremendous at playing the ball in the air. The former wideout had six interceptions this season. He also had one of the best pass breakups in Michigan football history against Ohio State in the 2022 edition of “The Game.”

Mike Sainristil helps himself at the NFL combine

Sainristil helped himself in the 40-yard dash, running a time of 4.47 seconds. He also posted a 40-inch vertical and a 10-11 broad jump.

4.47 (1.51 👀)
40 vert 👀
10-11 broad 👀
helluva day for Mike Sainristil https://t.co/QuMZYT6wBL

— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 1, 2024

Those athletic numbers are off the charts. And he tackles. In a league where poor tackling is an epidemic, Sainristil can literally do it all. He’s been trending toward the second round and after his performance on Friday, his stock should keep trending up.

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