Mike Sainristil
 Sainristil with the Washington Commanders in 2024 | |||||||||
| No. 0 – Washington Commanders | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | October 3, 2000 Port-au-Prince, Haiti | ||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 182 lb (83 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Everett (Everett, Massachusetts) | ||||||||
| College: | Michigan (2019–2023) | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2024 / round: 2 / pick: 50 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 12, 2024 | |||||||||
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Mike Sainristil (/ˈmaɪki ˈseɪnrɪstɪl/ MY-kee SANE-rih-stil; born October 3, 2000) is a Haitian American professional football cornerback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He was a college football All-American for the Michigan Wolverines, winning three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles and a national championship in 2023. Sainristil was selected by the Commanders in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Early life
Sainristil was born on October 3, 2000, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.[1] He and his family left the country at seven months old after his father, a radio station director, received threats following the 2000 Haitian presidential election.[2] The family settled in Everett, Massachusetts, where Sainristil later attended Everett High School.[3] As a senior, Sainristil was named Massachusetts' 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year after 30 receptions for 762 yards and 12 touchdowns as a wide receiver with six interceptions as a defensive back, helping Everett reach the Division 1 North Sectional semifinals. He concluded his high school career with 28 receiving touchdowns.[4]
College career
In November 2018, Sainristil committed to play college football for the Wolverines at the University of Michigan.[5] He enrolled early and turned heads in Michigan's 2019 spring practice.[6][7] Michigan's defensive coaches sought to use him as a cornerback, but the offensive staff won out in having him as a wide receiver.[8] Despite his strong showing in spring practice, Sainristil saw limited time as a true freshman, catching eight passes for 145 yards and his first collegiate touchdown against Notre Dame, on October 26, 2019, totaling 73 yards in the game.[7][9] With the departure of receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tarik Black, and Nico Collins, Sainristil played a larger role in Michigan's offense during the 2020 and 2021 season.[10][11][12]
In 2022, Sainristil moved to cornerback.[13][14] He finished his first collegiate season on defense with 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 7 pass breakups and his first career interception on a pass throw by Max Duggan in the Fiesta Bowl.[15] He was named All-Big Ten honorable mention following the season.[16] In 2023, Sainristil was voted a captain for a second consecutive season.[17] He was named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News, ESPN and FOX,[18] finishing the season with 44 tackles, 1 sack, 6 interceptions, 2 returned for touchdowns and 2 forced fumbles.[19] Sainristil was named the MVP of the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game[20] and recorded the game-clinching interception in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, intercepting Michael Penix Jr. and returning it 81 yards.[21]
Statistics
| Year | Team | G | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | Receiving | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Cmb | TfL | Sck | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
| 2019 | Michigan | 13 | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 8 | 145 | 18.1 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | – | – | – | 2 | 7 | 82 | 11.7 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 14 | 5 | – | 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 22 | 312 | 14.2 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 14 | 38 | 20 | 58 | 6.5 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 8 | – | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 2023 | 15 | 26 | 18 | 44 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 232 | 38.7 | 2 | 6 | – | – | – | 2 | – | – | – | – | |
| Career[22] | 62 | 70 | 38 | 108 | 10.5 | 3 | 7 | 240 | 34.3 | 2 | 13 | – | – | – | 2 | 37 | 539 | 14.6 | 5 | |
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 9+3⁄8 in (1.76 m) |
182 lb (83 kg) |
30+7⁄8 in (0.78 m) |
8+1⁄2 in (0.22 m) |
4.47 s | 1.51 s | 2.58 s | 4.01 s | 6.95 s | 40 in (1.02 m) |
10 ft 11 in (3.33 m) |
14 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[23][24] | ||||||||||||
Sainristil was selected by the Washington Commanders in the second round (50th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.[25] He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 11, 2024.[26] Sainristil recorded his first career interception in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens.[27]
Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Int | Yds | TD | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2024 | WAS | 11 | 10 | 55 | 41 | 14 | – | 1 | 38 | – | 8 | – | – | – | – |
| Career | 11 | 10 | 55 | 41 | 14 | – | 1 | 38 | – | 8 | – | – | – | – | |
Personal life
Sainristil had his first child, a daughter, in 2024.[28]
References
- ^ Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2024 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic. p. 258. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ Lage, Larry (October 28, 2019). "Michigan WR Mike Sainristil fled Haiti as child with family". Associated Press. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "Mike Sainristil". University of Michigan. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ "2018-2019 Massachusetts Football Player of the Year". Gatorade.com. Stokely-Van Camp, Inc. 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Sang, Orion (November 4, 2018). "Michigan football recruiting: 2019 star Mike Sainristil commits". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Sears, Ethan (April 7, 2019). "Mike Sainristil impresses in spring ball". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Sang, Orion (October 29, 2019). "Michigan football receiver Mike Sainristil puts drops behind him with new opportunity". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Niyo, John (October 19, 2019). "Emerging Mike Sainristil gives Michigan fans a glimpse of the future". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Mackie, Theo (October 28, 2019). "After spring breakout, Mike Sainristil transforming hype into production". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ McMann, Aaron (October 9, 2020). "Mike Sainristil and the Year 2 leap at Michigan". Mlive.com. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Chengelis, Angelique S. (October 12, 2020). "Receiver Mike Sainristil 'can't wait' to show a big jump in Michigan offense". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Hole, Isaiah (October 9, 2020). "Mike Sainristil ready for breakout season in sophomore year". USA Today. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Hole, Isaiah (September 14, 2022). "Why Mike Sainristil has excelled playing defensive back". USA Today. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Zuke, Ryan (September 21, 2022). "Michigan's Mike Sainristil finds his groove at new position". Mlive.com. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "2022 Michigan Football Statistics". University of Michigan. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Woelkers Jr., David (January 26, 2023). "2022 Michigan CB recap: Solid showing leads to potential star power next season". Maize n Brew. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Woods, Trevor (August 24, 2023). "Michigan Football announces 2023 team captains". Maize n Brew. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Knoop, Trent (December 13, 2023). "Three Michigan Football Players Named Sporting News All-Americans". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Michigan Wolverines Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- ^ "Sainristil Leads Stifling Defense as U-M Blanks Iowa to Win Third Straight B1G Title". University of Michigan Athletics.
- ^ Meyer, Craig (January 8, 2024). "Watch: Mike Sainristil's near pick-six clinches Michigan football's first national title since 1997". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ "Mike Sainristil". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Mike Sainristil Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Mike Sainristil College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Lichtenstein, Hannah (April 26, 2024). "Commanders draft CB Mike Sainristil with No. 50 overall pick". Commanders.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "Commanders sign 2nd-round pick Mike Sainristil". Commanders.com. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Washington Commanders Public Relations. "Commanders-Ravens Stats & Snaps". Commanders.com. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ Lichtenstein, Hannah (June 16, 2024). "Soon-to-be dad Mike Sainristil excited to create memories and be a role model for daughter". Commanders.com. Retrieved September 18, 2024.