The NFL Draft is a culmination of the work every prospect has put in for years. That’s especially the case for Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil, who is looking to get drafted after leading Michigan to its first national championship in decades. Here’s everything you need to know about him ahead of the big day.
How Tall Is Mike Sainristil
After a long final season, it wasn’t too long before Sainristil made his way to the NFL Combine to show off his athleticism. During measurements, he came in just over 5’9″, which would be significantly below the NFL average at cornerback, which is just under 6’0″.
The shortest cornerback currently in the NFL is a two-way tie between Khalil Dorsey and Marcus Jones, who are both 5’8″. The tallest, on the other hand, is another two-way tie between Riq Woolen and Nahshon Wright, with both being 6’4″.
How Much Does Sainristil Weigh
During his time at the Combine, Sainristil weighed in at 182 pounds, which is also significantly below the NFL average of 194 pounds.
MORE: Top Safeties in the 2024 NFL Draft | Top CBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
The heaviest cornerback in the NFL is Woolen, who weighed in at 210 pounds. He’s followed up by a three-way tie between Wright, Benjamin St-Juste, and Tre Flowers, with all of them being 200 pounds.
How Old Is Sainristil
Born on Oct. 3, 2000, Sainristil is 23 years old and will turn 24 during his rookie season, making him on the older side of NFL prospects. He was a graduate student before declaring for the NFL Draft.
The youngest cornerbacks in the NFL are Christian Gonzalez and Kelee Ringo, both of whom are 21 years old. The oldest, however, would be Josh Norman, who is 36 years old.
What School Did Sainristil Go To?
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sainristil’s family fled to Everett, Mass., when he was just seven months old. He attended Everett High School, where he was the 2018 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. He played both wide receiver and defensive back.
According to 247Sports, Sainristil was a three-star prospect but the best in Massachusetts. He committed to the Michigan Wolverines on Nov. 4, 2018.
Revisiting Sainristil’s College Career
When he started at Michigan, Sainristil began as a wide receiver. However, he saw limited time as a freshman, catching just eight passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. He did end up playing a larger offensive role during 2020 and 2021, but he ultimately moved to cornerback in 2022.
Now at a new position, he broke out, being named an All-Big Ten honorable mention following the season. He had 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, seven pass breakups, and one interception in his first season at cornerback.
Then came 2023, when Sainristil was named a team captain for the second consecutive season. He finished the season with 44 tackles, one sack, six interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns.
He was named first-team All-Big Ten and All-American. He also won the CFP National Championship, recording the game-clinching interception and taking it 81 yards. He later declared for the draft.
Sainristil’s Potential in the NFL
According to Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings, Sainristil is a top-75 player in the draft.
“His size and age may work against him on some boards, but Sainristil easily deserves Day 2 capital as a football player,” Cummings said. “And for teams needing a slot CB with phase and role versatility, he could be a high-quality starter right out of the gate.
“Sainristil won’t impose many with his size alone, but when you watch the tape, a new side of Sainristil comes alive. With his biting physicality and competitive toughness, he constantly plays beyond his frame and makes his presence felt on all three downs.
“Sainristil’s tenacity serves as a tone-setting quality across the entire defense, but Sainristil himself also has the tools and the technical prowess to fulfill his duties at a high level.”
KEEP READING: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Mike Sainristil
Some of his best attributes include his athleticism, elite recovery speed, short-area quickness, intelligence and reaction speed, and much more. His weaknesses, however, include his small size, lack of length, and older age.
Draft with your friends today! PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator now supports multiple drafters during the same draft! Ensure your player rankings are up to date on the 2024 NFL Draft Big Board and you know what every NFL team needs before drafting.
