This Michigan football defender is ‘force’ and a ‘Michigan legend’

Last weekend, Michigan football defender Mike Sainristil —  a fifth-year cornerback — had a crucial pick-6 which gave the Wolverines a second-half boost. The touchdown eventually led to a 31-7 Michigan victory during the team’s Big Ten opener against Rutgers, moving the Wolverines to 4-0 on the year heading into Nebraska this weekend. This week, we heard more on Sainristil from assistant coach Jay Harbaugh, who describes his star corner as “a force,” as well as Jim Harbaugh, who called Sainristil a “Michigan legend.”

This Michigan football defender is ‘a force’ for the Wolverines

Jay Harbaugh loves the play style of veteran cornerback Mike Sainristil, who was only moved from offense to defense last fall, yet is already one of the top defensive players in the Big Ten conference. Last weekend’s pick-6, Sainristil’s second through four games, gave Michigan football a much-needed boost to close out the game against the 3-0 Scarlet Knights.

“I mean, he’s a force, just been around him for a while,” Jay Harbaugh said. “So I kind of expected it now. There are very — maybe no bad matchups for the guy — just from the physical tools standpoint, but also his mentality. And it really is amazing the things that he can do. We all feed off of him.”

Mike Sainristil is already a Michigan legend, per Jim Harbaugh

Additionally, if you ask Jay’s father — head coach Jim Harbaugh —  Mike Sianristil is already a Michigan football legend. Harbaugh said so confidently on Monday while reflecting on the Wolverines’ Big Ten opener and more.

“His leadership, I mean, it’s constant,” Harbaugh explained. “He just affects everybody that he comes in contact with in a positive way. I’m sure you see the see same thing that we do. Loved by the players, loved by the coaches, and it’s great to see. He’s already a Michigan legend, right? To see him continuing to add to that is just a beautiful thing. A wonderful, wonderful thing.”

This weekend, Sainristil and the top-ranked Michigan football defense look to shut down a very up-and-down Nebraska offense. With some injury issues, including Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims, tomorrow’s game will be an interesting Week 5 road test for the Maize and Blue before heading to Minnesota in Week 6.

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