Tag: Mike Sainristil

Halftime analysis of Penn State vs. Michigan

Michigan football is trailing 17-7 against Penn State so far. What are the key takeaways from the first half of the game?

[jwplayer muvLZIyi-XNcErKyb]

What was deemed as possibly the second toughest matchup for the Michigan football team this season, between two top 25 schools, is now between two schools that have had its 2020 year turned upside down. Michigan is 2-3 and is coming off a three-game losing streak, while Penn State is 0-5 as it hasn’t been able to defeat anybody this season.

You wouldn’t think Penn State is winless as on the opening drive, and it was moving the football with ease on the ground and through the air. In 10 plays, Penn State went 75 yards, led by running back Keyvone Lee, who moved the ball with ease between the tackles, finishing with seven carries for 39 yards that ended with a six-yard touchdown run to put Penn State up 7-0.

Michigan football moved the ball down the field but couldn’t convert on a fourth-down attempt and went out without a score. Penn State moved the ball and missed a 49-yard field goal to give Michigan decent field position to start on its second drive. On the opening play of that drive, running back Hassan Haskins broke out free for a 60-yard gain, and he would be the one to finish it. Haskins pounded it in from two yards out to tie the game up at seven.

Both teams continued to struggle on offense throughout the first half. Still, Penn State found some life with less than seven minutes to go in the second quarter as Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford kept finding wide receiver Parker Washington, as Washington leads the team in catches with seven catches for 79 yards in the first half alone. Clifford finished the drive with a 28-yard touchdown run to give the Nittany Lions the lead once again, up 14-7.

After a huge mistake by Michigan wide receiver Mike Sainristil as he muffed the punt, Penn State took advantage of the short field and scored on a 23-yard field goal attempt to make it 17-7 at halftime, a similar score to what Michigan was down last week against Rutgers.

Positives:

  • Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara started well before leaving the game to get his shoulder looked at by the medical trainers. He was 4-for-5 for 25 yards, along with a carry for three yards. His only incomplete pass was a bad one as he threw it to a covered wide receiver. Besides that, McNamara was making good reads and throwing the ball well. Luckily the injury wasn’t serious as McNamara returned but only went 1-for-3 for six yards.
  • Michigan has had some life running the football today, something it hasn’t had consistently this season. The team has 14 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown with Haskins as the leading carrier with nine carries for 81 yards and the score. Running backs Chris Evans had three carries for 21 yards, and Blake Corum had just one carry for three yards.
  • Michigan has shut down the top wide receiver for Penn State in Jahan Dotson, as he has one catch for nine yards so far in the game. Dotson has emerged as the greatest option for either quarterback, but today that isn’t an option for the Nittany Lions. Michigan keeping him in check is huge, but it doesn’t seem to be the answer to beat Penn State so far.

Negatives

  • Penn State is without its top three running backs due to injury and personal reasons, but despite being limited to just two running backs, Penn State didn’t have trouble moving the ball on the ground. Lee has done well with his chances, having 12 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown. Michigan’s defensive line got some help back in defensive end Kwity Paye, and while he has helped in getting to the quarterback and putting pressure on Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, he hasn’t helped greatly on the run.
  • Michigan football is struggling with missed tackles. On one play, cornerback Vincent Gray missed back to back tackles, giving Penn State more chances for yardage. Before that issue, safety Daxton Hill went for a booming hit, but the receiver bounced off him and gained extra yards. Missed tackles give the opposing offense extra chances to keep plays alive. Michigan can’t be giving its opponents more chances to be on the field.
  • Sainristil made two mistakes, and both have had a change in the score. Sainristil dropped a simple second down throw, and McNamara went back at him, and it was a good coverage play by Penn State. Michigan forced Penn State to punt on its next drive, and Sainrsitil muffed the punt, turning it over and giving the Nittany Lions solid field position to score a field goal before halftime. Turnovers turn into points for the Nittany Lions.
Contact/Follow @WolverinesWire/ @BKnappBlogs

Inconsistency in practice stalling Michigan offense

Michigan football WR Giles Jackson shares why he feels the offense has looked great at times and sputtered in others.

[jwplayer iLOLiLL5-XNcErKyb]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In Big Ten Week 1, it appeared that the Michigan offense was unstoppable, only punting once as it just never even grazed the brake pedal against Minnesota.

Since, however, it’s look great on some drives, while most have been terribly uninspiring.

The Wolverines have started slow out of the gates in all three games. Though the very first play of the season was a big game, against Minnesota, penalties caused the maize and blue to go three-and-out after that, and then the next two games featured three-and-outs to start things off, as well.

Michigan didn’t lead at all in the past two outings, both losses, and though the offense put up 48 points in Week 1, it only managed 24 against Michigan State and 21 against Indiana.

So what does the offense need to do in order to get back into form? Sophomore wide receiver Giles Jackson says that what the team does in practice is inconsistent, and its leading to the same thing happening once facing off against a different color jersey.

“I think we just have to be more consistent, like in practice,” Jackson said. “We practice good, Monday through Wednesday – the last couple Thursday practices haven’t been so well. We gotta pick it up – be more consistent in games, instead of just relying on one or two drives, doing good on one drive, taking it off. We just have to keep our foot on the gas the whole time.

“Thursday – that’s usually our last practice before Saturday. I think it’s not as intense, because we’re not in full pads. I think that carries a big role in it and we’re more laid back.”

[lawrence-related id=29938,29936,29927,29925]

Additionally, Michigan is implementing a lot of new players — whether it be in a full-time capacity or as key reserves.

Last season, at the wide receiver group, the primary targets were juniors Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins as well as sophomore Ronnie Bell. Bell has continued his trajectory from a year ago, with 14 catches for 269 yards in three games — an average of 19.21 yards-per-catch, sixth in the conference, and that’s with more catches than any player ahead of him. But outside of Bell, Michigan is relying on a lot of players with inexperience, comparably. The second-leading receiver is Cornelius Johnson, a sophomore, with 9 catches for 134 yards. Then, it’s freshman Roman Wilson with 8 catches for 118 and Jackson with 10 receptions for 81 yards.

It’s an assuredly young receiving corps, and Jackson says that’s led to some lapses during the week.

“We’re a young receiver group – there’s some things we don’t – we’re not as focused as we should be,” Jackson said. “In the meeting room, we should be taking notes – we don’t take as much notes as we should be. It’s just the little things for us. It’s all there, we just have to put it all together. When it’s all together, we’ll be a really good offense and really good receiving room.”

So, outside of that, what does the group have to work on?

Compared to their predecessors, outside of the aforementioned Johnson, this group is relatively diminutive in stature. So it’s that much more imperative that they play bigger than their size.

Outside of that, they’re not getting as much separation as they were in Week 1 than in Weeks 2-3. The lack of focus certainly has encumbered them on that front.

“We definitely have to work on contested catches,” Jackson said. “We’re definitely not the biggest group, obviously. I’d say contested catches is what we need at this point and creating more separation on our routes.”

Beyond that, three Michigan receivers are in the top ten when it comes to drop rate in the Big Ten. Freshman A.J. Henning and sophomore Mike Sainristil each have drops, whereas fellow freshman WR Roman Wilson has three. Ronnie Bell also has two, and tight end Erick All leads the conference with four drops thus far.

The Wolverines will likely need a near-flawless game on that front with No. 13 Wisconsin coming to town on Saturday night.

Mike Sainristil priding himself on attention to detail

The Wolverines WR shared what’s led to him becoming a better player in 2020.

[jwplayer d5KC3leI-XNcErKyb]

A 247Sports three-star recruit out of Everett (Massachusetts) High School in 2019, Mike Sainristil starred on both sides of the football for the Crimson Tide, winning back-to-back Division 1 state championships as a sophomore and junior.

Tallying 45 touchdowns during his prep career, 39 on offense, four on defense and two on special teams, he also took home some individual hardware, earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors in the state as a senior.

Focusing his talents on offense in Ann Arbor, Sainristil delivered a promising freshman campaign, appearing in all 13 games and catching eight passes for 145 yards and a score, which came in the 45-14 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Stadium.

Hauling in one pass for 11 yards in the 2020 season-opening victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Oct. 24, the sophomore, who was born in Haiti, took some time to speak to the media three days later, and one of the areas he prides himself on is something that does not show up in the box score.

“I believe perimeter blocking, giving that extra effort for other guys, it gives you extra film and shows you have no problem with being physical because you need to be a physical receiver in today’s game,” Sainristil began. “Doing your responsibility, we believe in the receivers’ room, is what helps the ball find you, when you do what you’re supposed to do.

“That’s one thing Coach (Josh) Gattis preaches on us, style of play, making blocks down the field, letting the ball find you in other ways than it actually being in your hand because you never know when the running back could bounce a hole and come your way, he could cutback and come your way, blocking is very key in our offense on the perimeter.”

Totaling 481 yards of offense in the Minnesota win, 256 of which came on the ground, the new-look offensive line did their job well, but the receivers deserve some credit for securing their blocks on the outside, too.

Evidenced by classmate Giles Jackson’s block on junior linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin to help spring Zach Charbonnet’s 70-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Golden Gophers, sometimes the receivers are tasked with blocking larger bodies, but this position group welcomes that challenge.

“Don’t let size play a factor in your head when it comes to blocking someone who’s bigger than you,” Sainristil shared of the wide receivers’ mentality. “You have pads, they have pads, and football’s a physical game. It just comes down to who’s being more physical at the point of attack, the little details, like Coach Gattis says, getting your face in there, having a good base, and after that, it’s just you making the decision of wanting to or not wanting to.”

Looking to build off the positives of the Minnesota game, No. 13 Michigan is seeking a 2-0 start when they clash with the Michigan State Spartans in their home-opener on Saturday. The Wolverines won the 2019 edition of the rivalry, 44-10, their largest victory in the series since the 49-3 beatdown in 2002, which also took place in Ann Arbor.

Sainristil recorded two receptions for 21 yards in this matchup a year ago and took a moment during his Tuesday media session to describe what this game means to him.

“It’s state championship week,” he said. “The way I view this game is like when you’re in high school and you’re playing against your No. 1 rival.

“Just the energy in the city that week, we’ve got to go out there and dominate our opponent. Of course, every week, it’s just a little more given the fact that we’re playing Michigan State.

“Everybody’s mindset is, we’ve got to keep the (Paul Bunyan) Trophy here, don’t ever allow someone to come into your home and take what’s yours. It’s just one of those games where you can’t wait to get out there and play.”

Michigan owns a 71-36-5 all-time edge in the series, which dates to 1898, and will be gunning for their third-straight win over the Spartans, who will enter the matchup with someone other than Mark Dantonio on the sideline for the first time since 2006.

Kicking at 12 p.m. EDT, the game will be broadcast on FOX with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Jenny Taft on the call.

Michigan’s wide receiver depth should scare its opponents

Michigan football had nine different people catch a pass in the win over No. 21 Minnesota, that type of depth should scare its opponents.

[jwplayer ja1WTIqE-XNcErKyb]

Despite not having wide receiver Nico Collins return to the Michigan football team, the Wolverines have plenty of depth at the position. Michigan has its leading receiver last year in Ronnie Bell back once again, but he isn’t alone in the department. Sophomores Giles Jackson, Mike Sainristil, and Cornelius Johnson are expected to step up, and freshman A.J. Henning and Roman Wilson will see plenty of playing time with the free year of eligibility.

Tonight, we saw a vast amount of those wide receivers get playing time, and Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis is making it harder for his opponents to choose who they want to focus on. Nine different people caught passes from quarterback Joe Milton in Michigan’s 49-24 win over Minnesota. Five of them were wide receivers, as Bell lead the group with four catches for 74 yards. Sainristil and Jackson each had a catch, Sainristil, for 11 yards while Jackson had five. The other two were the freshmen duo as Wilson had two catches for 34 yards, and Henning had one for 14.

Despite Bell being the leading receiver, it didn’t seem like he was the Wolverines’ top target. Milton wasn’t looking for Bell every time; he looked for the open receiver no matter who it was. Michigan might not have a clear-cut number one wide receiver this year, as Milton spread the ball out to the wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs who caught the passes.

Michigan having this amount of depth at the wide receiver position, should scare its opponents. It doesn’t matter who they put on the field; it will be a tough matchup every time. Along with the wide receivers, the defense needs to hold the tight ends and running backs accountable as possibly being the receiver.

Milton knows he has playmakers at his disposal, and he wants to get them the football. “It feels great for me because I don’t have to do too much,” Milton said. “I got a lot of playmakers. Get those guys the ball because that’s what they’re here for. They’re going to make a play.”

Tonight, Johnson was left out of the catching rotation, but that doesn’t mean he won’t contribute next week. The way this offense seems like, every week a different receiver could step up and be the main target for Milton. Next week Johnson could have the big game for the Wolverines while Bell could be quiet. This week Bell seemed to be the top guy, but Jackson had some chances for big plays too, but they didn’t execute them.

When it comes to the young freshman wide receivers, Milton was happy with what he saw from them. “They always wanna get better in practice,” Milton said. “They always wanna know more, offensively, of a scheme, what’s going on, so having those guys in the game tonight was very impressive because they understand what was going on. They weren’t scared.”

Michigan’s offense seemed to have used their speed in space mantra with Wilson, Henning, Jackson, running backs Chris Evans, and Blake Corum. Those fast receivers will see more time as the season progresses, but if they were able to put up 49 points in the opening week, on the road against a ranked team (that went 11-2 last season, mind you), this offense could finally be what it was supposed to be last season.

With more depth at the receiver position, they could keep rotating guys in and out and never stop putting up points. Speed in space could have arrived in Ann Arbor, and with the multitude of receivers at Milton’s disposal, good luck trying to cover them all. If Michigan’s offense can be as good as their defense, this team could be an exceptional group.

Contact/Follow @WolverinesWire/ @BKnappBlogs

[lawrence-related id=28202,28167,28165]

Jim Harbaugh breaks down WR corps, Nico Collins’ status with team

In his weekly press conference, Michigan football’s Jim Harbaugh shared who will be the WR at Minnesota and updated Nico Collins’ status.

[jwplayer QESvQNqg-XNcErKyb]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With Michigan set to open the 2020 season at Minnesota on Saturday night, one of the biggest curiosities is what the offense will look like.

Yes, there’s a lot of enthusiasm surrounding Wolverines third-year quarterback Joe Milton and all of the tangibles he brings to the table, but who will be out there catching the ball? Michigan has no shortage of capable receivers, even though the unit has been somewhat depleted from a year ago. While the trio of Nico Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black had been tantalizing in terms of their talent for years, with them now gone, they pass the torch to multiple, speedier options that provide a different type of capability of stretching the field.

Jim Harbaugh broke down the unit on Monday in his weekly press conference, sharing why he’s encouraged by the group and who will be making the trip to Minneapolis this week for game one.

“Receiver-wise, the receivers have been really good,” Harbaugh said. “And a lot of them, a lot of good receivers. One of the really good things about our offense’s growth has been the receiving group. Their ability to get separation, to gain separation, to increase separation and to make contested catches.

“And a lot of guys – Ronnie Bell, Mike Sainristil, Roman Wilson, Giles Jackson, Cornelius Johnson doing extremely well. Jake McCurry, A.J. Henning, Nate Schoenle – those are the receivers we’re going into the ball game with. Feel really good about all of them.”

[lawrence-related id=28802,28800,28692]

While the only player above that has starting experience is Ronnie Bell, the maize and blue are particularly excited about the prospects of Giles Jackson and the two true freshmen in A.J. Henning and Roman Wilson.

But Harbaugh’s omission of Nico Collins from that group is particularly glaring.

Collins announced shortly after the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama that he would be returning for his senior year, but he quietly signed with an agent and left the team when there was uncertainty in the late-summer about whether or not the Big Ten would have a season at all.

Since, he’s made no announcement as to his intentions — like Jalen Mayfield had before he opted back in, as Ambry Thomas did about his departure and Kwity Paye alluded to about returning. Meanwhile teammates have contended that he’s ‘still unsure,’ leaving some to be optimistic that he could be a part of the team.

While Harbaugh threw some cold water on the idea that Collins could suit up sometime in the coming weeks, he didn’t altogether close the door on his potential return down the road.

“Nico is not participating in football right now,” Harbaugh said. “And I don’t have a crystal ball if his mind would change or not, but he’s not currently on the team.”

Collins’ participation in classes at this juncture are unknown, but it appears unlikely that he’s still enrolled in the university. If that’s the case, he’s likely played his final down for the Wolverines this past January.

Michigan will take its receiving corps to Minneapolis to take on Minnesota on Saturday night, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. EDT. The game will be nationally broadcast on ABC.

With talented wideout group, Jim Harbaugh ‘ready to let it rip on offense’

What head coach Jim Harbaugh sees out his wideouts with less than two weeks before Michigan vs. Minnesota football in 2020.

[jwplayer dZT3IuNU-XNcErKyb]

On Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. EDT, we’ll finally get a glimpse of what ‘speed in space’ could look like when Michigan takes the field for the first time in the 2020 Big Ten season.

While the Wolverines had a talented group of wideouts last year in Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins and Tarik Black, but all three are gone now, and the maize and blue must now rely on a lot of underclassmen to fill the void. However, those stepping into more prominent roles embody offensive coordinator Josh Gattis’ ‘speed in space’ philosophy, as Michigan gets away from the prototypical, tall, lanky outside receiver in favor of shorter, speedier athletes.

Speaking with Jon Jansen on the Learfield IMG ‘Inside Michigan Football’ radio program, head coach Jim Harbaugh broke down the offense, with the onus of his breakdown focusing on the wide receivers with the season less than two weeks away.

“It’s really been a group effort,” Harbaugh said. “I’d say Ronnie Bell, for sure. He’s a great tone-setter. Mike Sainristil has had a tremendous, tremendous offseason and early camp, practicing really well. Roman Wilson is doing exceptionally well. Giles Jackson, doing extremely well. Jake McCurry doing extremely well. Cornelius Johnson is really coming on strong.

“I don’t know if it’s one guy. I’d even say A.J. Henning did some really good things in our scrimmage on Saturday. Nate Schoenle has been a tone setter, the leader, doing really good things in the wide receiver position and on special teams.

“Right now, that group of eight has really been good. Erick All really sets the tone offensively. Doing a tremendous job. The quarterbacks been really good. Offensive line is coming together as well. And the other group we’re really excited about right now is the running backs. Charbonnet, Chris Evans, Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum. Really, those four have been outstanding, outstanding, outstanding.

“Ready to let it rip on offense.”

The leader of the wideouts now is junior Ronnie Bell, a former three-star who came in unheralded from Missouri. But unheralded he is no more, after leading the team in both receptions and yards in 2019 — despite the aforementioned talented trio still being on campus.

Harbaugh sees a lot of leadership in Bell, but he’s excited about his continued growth. He notices his work ethic along with learning the small details that should give him a leg up to have a repeat performance — or better — in 2020.

“They’re high expectations for Ronnie Bell,” Harbaugh said. “Always been a huge fan of Ronnie. He’s a real gamer when it comes to football. Things he needs to try to improve — every day he’s becoming a great practice player, as well. So much is natural, but really getting better at every fundamental and every technique. He’s always out there, every practice every game. Tremendous amount of want to and competitiveness that he has to be good. Just really getting all the finer points of the position and improving in that way technically. I think he’s gonna see a really big jump in his game this year. Because it’s almost — terrific athlete, great competitor and really getting the finer points of receiving Josh has been teaching him is gonna really benefit him this year, I can see it every day in practice.”

Photo: Isaiah Hole

While Bell is a known commodity at this juncture, he won’t be alone out there. And there are no receivers that fans are more excited about than the talented trio of second-year players.

The good news is: Harbaugh is equally excited to see what they do when they take the field at Minnesota, as well.

“The three sophomores — Mike Sainristil, Giles Jackson, Cornelius Johnson — all really good and are playing,” Harbaugh said. “And the two freshmen – Roman Wilson and A.J. Henning — are also right there in the mix. Mike’s really improved. His blocking – maybe our best blocker on the team. He’s also got the — last year – Mike can really go, he’s really fast. You see the fresh legs and the separation. Giles has that and then some probably.

“Both making tough catches, contested catches, which is great to see. All three of those players will contribute.”

But if you want to talk about pure speed, then Michigan has a duo that has that in spades.

College football has become something of a youth movement in recent years, and Michigan’s two freshman receivers are both known as burners on the football field. Roman Wilson — from Hawaii — runs a sub-4.4 40-yard dash, whereas A.J. Henning runs a 4.46.

Generally speaking, you don’t rely on freshmen to be your playmakers out of the gates, but with their talent and ability — and fact that they’ve had an extended period of time to acclimate themselves to the game — Harbaugh is excited to see what they cook up when Michigan takes the field at TCF Bank Stadium.

“Getting open, blocking and catching the ball. I’d say with both Roman and A.J., they’ve shown that ability,” Harbaugh said. “The quarterback trust that they’re gonna get open and get separation. And when the quarterback is throwing the ball, they are really good and natural catchers. And contested catches, too. They’ve developed that trust with the quarterbacks. They know they’re gonna compete for the contested ball, and they have the talent to catch the football.

“You do it on the field, of course – that’s the typical answer to the question. But it’s how they’re doing it. They’re getting open and making tough, contested catches.”

[vertical-gallery id=28134]

Mike Sainristil ready for breakout season in sophomore year

The Michigan Wolverines wide receiver hit a freshman wall in 2019. Why he’s ready to break through that in his sophomore year.

[jwplayer gcIoWQSz-XNcErKyb]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Last spring, Michigan fans quickly forgot that true freshman wide receiver Mike Sainristil was a three-star as a recruit.

He started gathering hype during spring ball and showcased precisely why in both the April open practice at The Big House and again one week later at the spring scrimmage. However, once the actual season came, Sainristil was quiet, especially compared to the exploding expectations of the previous months.

Sainristil still managed 8 receptions for 145 yards — the most receiving yards of the trio of freshman wideouts, but given all of the preseason chatter, the stats didn’t meet the chatter. One person told WolverinesWire early in the season that Sainristil had hit something of a freshman wall and was struggling to get back into the form he showed early on.

So what does Sainristil have to say about it? On Thursday, he shared some insight into his personal struggles and why it’s so difficult for some first-year players to be able to come in and have an instant impact.

“The first year, coming in as a freshman, you start off the same way you went into high school, I feel like,” Sainristil said. “You ask yourself: ‘Where do I fit in amongst this group of older men? What is gonna be my role on this team?’ It does take time. It takes more time for some people than it does for others to really understand what you’re going into. I think that’s kind of where I found myself thinking come fall camp last year. I had a good spring ball, and then once camp started and things started picking up, I got into a pace that I wasn’t really used to yet. That’s when I was questioning, ‘What can I do to help this team get better?’ Whether that’s being around guys, being an energy booster, plays on the field – anything I can do to help make the team better is where I found myself. Whenever my number was called, I always made sure I was ready to take advantage of the opportunity.”

[lawrence-related id=28599,28593,28586,28584]

But now this is Sainristil’s second year. And, as of now, all three upperclassmen in the receiving corps from 2019 are gone — though there’s no official word as of yet whether or not Nico Collins will return or remain opted out.

So how does Sainristil approach his sophomore season? Ultimately by using what he learned a year ago while maintaining a strong work ethic.

“Year two is – you get your feet wet year one, you get a taste of the game,” Sainristil said. “Year two is when you get your chance to really show who you are. That’s just something I can’t wait to do.

“They put our depth charts out. It’s cool to see where you are, but until the first snap of game one, nothing’s really set in stone. So I’m just gonna make sure I don’t get complacent and keep working the way I’ve been working to have that spot on this team.”

Though he hasn’t proven himself on the field as of yet, Sainristil is eager not only to make the impact he’s capable of, but he’s also working to gain and impart knowledge. Additionally, he’s bringing unbridled enthusiasm this fall camp, and he’s seen it pay off, not just for himself, but also to those on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

“I think, the type of guy I am, I’m just very positive and I like the bring the most out of those around me,” Sainristil said. “Whether that’s in the weight room, on the field, off the field. I just like to see the best out of everybody else around me. I like to be an energizer bunny – bringing the competitive nature out of people. Even on the defensive side, some of our corners come to ask me what do I see in their game that they can work on. I ask them what can I do to beat press coverage or how do I determine an off-man or a bail corner – stuff like that.”

That said, he still has a lot of work to do.

Sainristil says Gattis has one particular thing he needs to work on this season in order to truly take that next step forward.

“In terms of my play style? Definitely I’d say catching the ball, that’s been something I’ve been working on and focused,” Sainristil said. “Coach Gattis one Saturday gave everybody focus points for practice. That’s the first thing he mentioned, just making sure I catch everything off the tips, because I continue working on details, technique. But, at the end of the day, once the ball is in the air, you have to make a play. So that’s something I’m definitely gonna continue to focus on.”

Sainristil and the Wolverines open up the Big Ten season in just over two weeks, with an Oct. 24 trip to Minnesota.

[vertical-gallery id=28134]

Why ‘speed in space’ will truly be on display for Michigan in 2020

Michigan football wide receiver Mike Sainristil shares who’s the fastest and how the unit is adapting without its taller players.

[jwplayer gcIoWQSz-XNcErKyb]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When Josh Gattis was hired as Michigan’s new offensive coordinator in early 2019, he debuted the term ‘speed in space’ which elicited a lot of excitement among the fanbase. But once the season hit, there were some who were disappointed in what they were seeing.

So many anticipated seeing receivers schemed open and running wild, and while that actually did happen quite frequently, the offense wasn’t nearly as potent nor explosive as the hype suggested it could be.

But, it was there. Look no further than Ronnie Bell, who led all Big Ten receivers in yards after catch with 9.9 yards (minimum 50 targets). That put him ahead of JD Spielman, Whop Philyor and K.J. Hamler. Nico Collins was No. 8 in that metric, and minimum targets aside, Giles Jackson was No. 18, Mike Sainristil was No. 27 — just behind star Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman — and Donovan Peoples-Jones was No. 37 (tenth, if adjusted for 50 minimum targets).

Now Michigan has the opportunity to be more potent in Gattis’ second year. It loses Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tarik Black and likely Nico Collins, but it adds speedsters such as A.J. Henning and Roman Wilson into the fold. Jackson and Sainristil enter their second season as well, which should spell not only more playing time, but more expertise with both the playbook as well as on the field.

On Thursday, Sainristil shared who’s the fastest in the group and noted that a true freshman has been contending with the veterans.

“Honestly, if you line up our receiver corps, you go: me, Ronnie, Giles, A.J., Roman, C.J., Schoenle, McCurry, Jake Thaw, Rolapp, — Matt Harrison, Torey – the top five for sure is me, Roman, A.J., Giles, I’ll put Ronnie in there,” Sainristil said. “But I think Roman will come out with it. That guy flies for sure. He just flies.”

[lawrence-related id=28586,28584]

That’s excellent news in terms of options. As they say, you can’t cover them all.

Sainristil intimates that it will be something of a matchup nightmare given all of the speedy options that the Wolverines have. And given the depth at the position, they can throw them at defenders in waves, ultimately creating something of an advantage as defensive backs get tired out.

“I just think it creates a better rotation, because now you can run a deep route – you can go from having two guys run the deep route and then sub another one of us in and then just give us the ball in space,” Sainristil said. “We’ll just be going up against a DB that was in that was covering two different guys for two deep routes. Now he’s tired and we have fresh legs and keep cycling. I think that really helps us out a lot.”

But what Michigan now lacks is size. With Collins wavering on a return, the Wolverines have but six likely contributors at 6-feet or higher: Nate Schoenle, Jake McCurry, Ronnie Bell, A.J. Henning and Cornelius Johnson — with the latter being the tallest at 6-foot-3.

So who will be the deep threat? How will Michigan adapt?

Sainristil says it will come down to more to technique than it will size advantage, as the maize and blue receivers work to create separation from defensive backs in other ways.

“Honestly it could be any of us,” Sainristil said. “We’re doing a great job right now learning how to create separation with routes. That separation comes from small details, small techniques that Coach Gattis works on – like leaning a guy at the top of your route, creating shoulder separation, nudging off a guy. One term he uses is called ‘punching the package’ – it’s a small detail. Sometimes it’s very small that it could go unnoticed, but if you know what you’re doing and you’re doing it the right way, it’ll really help.

“Yeah, it would be great to have the size back, but when you have a lot of people that are fundamentally sound and work on their technique, details – it equals out.”

[vertical-gallery id=28134]

Joe Milton’s deep ball poses unique challenge for Michigan WRs

Michigan football WR Mike Sainristil details the challenges of reeling in a Joe Milton deep ball.

[jwplayer gcIoWQSz-XNcErKyb]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — One thing we know about presumed Michigan starting quarterback Joe Milton is that he has an absolute cannon for an arm.

Two weeks ago, Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis spoke about Milton’s arm strength and why it’s imperative for receivers to not give up on the pass when the ball is in the air.

“I think so far, he’s thrown three balls at 70 yards out there,” Gattis said. “With a ball going like that, 70 yards, it’s hard to track a ball traveling that long – and it’s been pinpoint accuracy on each one of the throws where I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve told the receivers, ‘Don’t stop running.’”

And the ball is in the air for quite awhile, to hear it from Wolverines wideouts. Sophomore receiver Mike Sainristil explains.

“For example, yesterday, he threw me a post route,” Sainristil said. “The first thing I told myself is, ‘OK, Joe’s in the game. No matter what, just keep running, because the ball isn’t landing short.’ And as I’m tracking the ball, I’m like, ‘This has to be the highest ball I’ve ever seen thrown in awhile.’ The ball was just in the air hanging. And I was just asking myself, ‘When is this ball gonna drop? Where is it gonna drop?’ And I just (put my) head down, kept running.”

[lawrence-related id=28584,28562,28560]

Having a ball hang in the air presents a different kind of challenge for the Wolverines wide receivers. They can’t give up on the ball, but they can have a difficult time tracking it as they continue to stretch out their routes.

That said, don’t expect to see many throws land short this fall if Milton is indeed under center. That’s certainly the expectation for those inside Schembechler Hall.

“It’s definitely tough to track when the ball is that high and you just don’t know where it’s gonna land and when it’s gonna land,” Sainristil said. “Coach Gattis just tells us to keep running and don’t expect it to fall anytime soon when five is in the game.”

We’ll know just how challenging it is for the Michigan receivers to track and reel in Milton’s deep passes come Oct. 24, when the Wolverines head to Minnesota for the 2020 season opener.

[vertical-gallery id=28134]

Michigan WR says Nico Collins ‘still unsure’ of future plans

At this point, not even the Michigan football wideouts know whether or not they’ll get their teammate back for the 2020 season.

[jwplayer jXuNP8oT-XNcErKyb]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While Michigan football enters the 2020 season with a formidable receiving corps, there’s a possibility it could be even better.

While star wideout Nico Collins announced after the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama that he would return for his senior year, when the Big Ten postponed the 2020 season on Aug. 11, Collins quietly departed, signing with an agent in the process.

Though that’s usually the death knell of intercollegiate eligibility as far as the NCAA is concerned, waivers are being issued, which has allowed players like Michigan RT Jalen Mayfield to return, as well as Ohio State‘s Shaun Wade and Wyatt Davis, Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman and Purdue wideout Rondale Moore.

Star corner Ambry Thomas told WolverinesWire that his days in Ann Arbor are finished, as he found himself in the same boat as Collins, but Collins hasn’t announced either way whether he would return or stay in the NFL draft. His wide receiver teammate Mike Sainristil says that he’s lobbied to get him back in the fold, but Collins hasn’t made up his mind as of yet as to what he plans to do.

“I had texted him once,” Sainristil said. “I asked him if the rule of opting back in changes anything for him. He was still unsure. But, regardless of whatever he does, I wish him well. Nico’s a really good guy.”

[lawrence-related id=28562,28560,28529]

For now, Sainristil and the Michigan wide receiving corps lies in wait as it remains patient about Collins’ future. They are moving forward, but if he does decide to return, they’ll welcome him back with open arms.

“If he does decide to stick to working out for the NFL, then I wish him the best,” Sainristil said. “If he comes back, then I’ll be right there with him – fighting on this year.”

Michigan starts its 2020 season in just over two weeks, with the season opener taking place Oct. 24 at Minnesota. Kickoff time has yet to be announced.

[vertical-gallery id=28134]