Tag: Mike Sainristil

Rookie wideout with high praise for Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil

New Buccaneers wideout shows major respect for Commanders CB Mike Sainristil.

It’s tough to find anyone who has anything negative to say about Washington Commanders rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil.

After he was drafted on Friday, legendary head coach Nick Saban called Sainristil probably “the best pound-for-pound player in college football” last season. Saban should know as Sainristil’s Wolverines defeated Alabama 27-20 in the Rose Bowl. Sainristil had six tackles in the game.

The Wolverines played the Washington Huskies in the national championship game the following week, winning 34-13.

In that game, Sainristil was matched up with Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan. Sainristil made a believer out of McMillan, too.

McMillan, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, had high praise for Sainristil.

“He was pissing me off all game,” McMillan said at the NFL combine last month, per Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News.

“He was calling out formations, calling out routes we were gonna run, lining up in zone — when, in reality, he was in man — and lining up in man … while in zone. He’s a great player.”

On Friday, the Commanders selected Sainristil at No. 50 overall, and he figures to start on Day 1 as Washington’s slot cornerback.

Mike Sainristil didn’t expect to end up in ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ with Washington

Washington got itself a leader and a playmaker. #GoBlue

Mike Sainristil knew he was soon to come off the NFL draft board, but he had a much different idea of where he’d end up in mind.

Given Mike Tomlin’s love for Wolverines — the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers is a mainstay at Michigan football pro days every year — and that he’s always looking for a certain amount of grit and toughness, it made sense that Sainristil and the Steel City could be a mutual fit. But in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, Pittsburgh had the No. 51 pick. And Washington, at No. 50, saw a player on the board it couldn’t refuse.

Thus, Sainristil is now a Commander, and he told the in-house team reporter that it was unexpected that he ended up in the DMV.

“I’ll say this, it was definitely a dream come true, growing up dreaming, wish and pray to be in this position,” Sainristil said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was not expecting it to be the Commanders. I thought I was going to the Steelers at 51. But I felt my phone vibrating, I looked down, there was a Virginia number. I’m like, ‘Man who the heck from Virginia’s calling me right now.’ I pick up the phone and right away my heart was just, I felt at ease. I felt at peace. My mind was finally at peace.”

The Commanders have perpetually been in a similar situation to Michigan football. Once a proud franchise, it’s been mired in mediocrity for many years. Though there have been some occasional playoff appearances, Washington has more than likely to miss the playoffs and look to change its identity to get back to the winning ways of yesteryear.

Sainristil knows a little something about rebuilding a program. As one of the leaders on the Wolverines during their turnaround, he shares some insight as to what can help the Commanders regain their foothold on the NFC East.

“It takes 100 percent from everybody. It has to take everybody to be bought in,” Sainristil said. “Everybody has to have the same mindset, the same goal, and we all have to buy into that every single day. And we have to hold each other accountable, whatever that looks like. We all have to just be jelled as one, and it starts with the little things.

“So, I’m ready to bring that aspect to the program and I’m going to do whatever’s asked of me. I have to come in and prove myself of course, but that doesn’t mean I can’t lead. So, I’m just going to go in there and be myself and do the things I know that I can do.”

With that in mind, what will Sainristil bring to Washington on the field? Noting that he prefers to play the nickel position, he’s a versatile piece — as Michigan football fans know — who can be used in pretty much any situation, anywhere on the field.

“I’m definitely just the complete package,” Sainristil said. “I grew up watching football a certain way, and that’s the brand of football I still play to this day — very, very instinctual. I’m a complete football player. Whatever’s asked of me, I’m going to do. Whatever the coaches need me to do, I will do to my best ability. I’m a guy that’s looking to make an impact on the field, wherever that is. Doesn’t matter to me whether it’s special teams, defense and even offense. So, wherever I’m needed, whatever the coaches need me to do, I’m going to do it. I’m bringing leadership and I’m bringing a winning mindset.”

Commanders signed undrafted cornerback that ‘half the league wanted’

The Commanders beat out several other teams for Colorado State cornerback.

The Washington Commanders immediately began working after the 2024 NFL draft, signing undrafted free agents. By the end of Saturday, they had agreed to terms with at least 10 undrafted free agents.

One of those free agents is Colorado State cornerback Chigozie Anusiem. Who is Anusiem?

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Anusiem began his career at Cal-Berkeley, where he appeared in 25 games with six starts. He graduated and transferred to Colorado State ahead of the 2022 season.

In two years with the Rams, Anusiem became a full-time starter, playing in 23 games and recording 93 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and one interception.

Washington wasn’t the only team that tried to sign Anusiem, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, who indicated that “half the league wanted Anusiem,” but the Commanders “paid up to lock him in.”

Why would so many teams want Anusiem without one drafting him in the final round? Only the NFL teams can answer that question, but a quick look at Anusiem’s measurables shows they are elite.

Here is Anusiem’s Relative Athletic Score:

Anusiem ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, has excellent size and long arms, and is excellent in press coverage. One area that hurts Anusiem a bit is the lack of interceptions. In five seasons of playing, he has only one interception.

The Commanders will play a lot of press coverage, which would explain their appeal to Anusiem. Head coach Dan Quinn has helped develop several young cornerbacks with similar skills, which makes signing Anusiem a smart move.

Washington drafted only one cornerback — Michigan’s Mike Sainristil in the second round. Sainristil will play slot cornerback, and questions remain on the outside with Emmanuel Forbes and Benjamin St-Juste.

 

 

Mike Sainristil excited to be with Commanders, thought he’d go to Steelers

Sainristil is ready to get to work for the Commanders.

New Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil thought he would be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. Instead, Washington, which acquired the No. 50 overall pick from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade-down, selected Sainristil one pick ahead of the Steelers at No. 51.

Sainristil couldn’t be any happier.

“I thought I was going to the Steelers at 51,” Sainristil said Friday. “But I felt my phone vibrating, I looked down, and there was a Virginia number. I’m like, ‘man, who the heck from Virginia’s calling me right now.’ I pick up the phone and right away, my heart was just, I felt at ease. I felt at peace. My mind was finally at peace. When I met with Coach (Dan) Quinn here in Michigan, the meeting we had, everything about it was good. The vibes were great. I could just tell how every coach that was in there was speaking. They had a genuine love and appreciation for myself, and it was definitely reciprocated. I felt that was a meeting that I left feeling very, very comfortable. And I appreciated the conversation that the coaches had with me. And I’m just very excited to get to Washington and get the ball rolling.”

The Commanders apparently left that meeting and felt they had to have Sainristil.

Sainristil woke up excited to be a Commanders on Saturday morning.

Sainristil immediately becomes Washington’s top option at slot cornerback. There will be no waiting period for him as he is ready to step in and make an impact immediately for the Commanders.

Nick Saban: Mike Sainristil may be best pound-for-pound player in the NFL draft

Nick Saban is a huge fan of Mike Sainristil.

Everyone loves Mike Sainristil.

The new Washington Commanders cornerback was a star defender for the national champion Michigan Wolverines last season and was the No. 50 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

Former Michigan coach — and current Chargers coach — Jim Harbaugh often talked about how special of a player and person Sainristil was.

After he was picked on Friday, former Alabama coach Nick Saban weighed in on the former Wolverine. Saban said he loved, loved Sainristil and he was perhaps the best pound-for-pound football player in the draft. Saban saw Sainristil up close in January’s College Football Playoff game, where the Wolverines came out on top.

Here’s the video:

Saban knows defensive players. And going on record to be that effusive in his praise for Sainristil tells you all you need to know about who/what the Commanders will be getting here.

Many believe it will not take long for Sainristil to become the NFL’s top slot cornerback.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. names Commanders as one of NFL draft’s Day 2 winners

Kiper was impressed with the Commanders’ Day 2 haul.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. loved the Washington Commanders’ selection of LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

On Saturday, the Commanders entered the second round of the draft with five selections — two in the second round and three in the third round. At No. 36, Washington selected Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton, who many believed should have gone in the first round.

While the Commanders have two standout defensive tackles in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, Newton adds another stud to the mix.

Instead of using the No. 40 pick, Washington traded it to the Eagles for a pair of second-round picks and a fifth-round pick in exchange for No. 40 and No. 78. Instead of two second-rounders and three third-rounders, the Commanders now had three second-round selections and two third-round picks.

The Commanders used those picks to select cornerback Mike Sainristil and tight end Ben Sinnott.

So, what did Kiper think of Washington’s Saturday haul? He named the Commanders as one of his Day 2 winners.

I mentioned the Commanders’ trade with the Eagles above, and Washington ended up with three second-round picks. New GM Adam Peters landed a game-wrecker for the middle of his defense. He got the best slot corner in this class. And he got my second-ranked tight end, a player who could make plays in the pass game and block his butt off in the run game. This is a home run Round 2 class for the Commanders, who entered this draft with a lot of holes.

To finish out Round 3, Washington took wideout Luke McCaffrey, which was a reach based on my rankings. Still, Christian’s brother has the physical traits to be an intriguing flier.

All five of Washington’s Day 2 selections could help the Commanders next season, which is almost uncommon in recent years.

How Mike Sainristil fits with the Washington Commanders

Mikey able to help another team transition! #GoBlue

With the 50th pick in the NFL draft, the Washington Commanders selected cornerback Mike Sainristil. Sainristil had 44 tackles, six interceptions, one sack and four tackles for loss in 2024. Sainristil was also a captain on Michigan’s 2024 national championship team.

I graded Sainristil as the second-best Michigan player available for the draft, after J.J. McCarthy and barely ahead of Junior Colson. Sainristil is one of the smartest defensive backs available and does a terrific job of taking what he sees in the film room and applying it to the field on game day. It’s tough to see a world where Sainristil isn’t a consistent player in Washington’s secondary.

“Mikey” projects as a slot cornerback, which is the same role he had at Michigan. At 5-foot-9, he’s undersized to play on the boundary, but his height doesn’t affect his performance much inside. He is tenacious when tackling but still understands how to wrap, takes mostly good angles and can bring down bigger targets despite his size. Michigan used him as a blitz piece with success, so he will threaten offenses in the pass game as a sack threat. He is versatile in zone coverage and can drop into either man or zone without much of a hitch. Flexibility is crucial for slot cornerbacks, and Sainristil is a very scheme-flexible player. He allows teams to disguise coverages and run creative looks on the back end.

Obviously, the Commanders are not expected to contend in the near future. Washington has had a couple of rough years but is in the process of building an elite draft class. They took their quarterback of the future second overall (Jayden Daniels) and landed three likely starters in the second round. Sainristil was there for Michigan’s culture change and understands how to be a part of a transitioning program. This was a terrific pick for the Commanders.

Who are the Commanders getting in Mike Sainristil

What are the Commanders getting in Mike Sainristil?

Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil was the Commanders’ selection at No. 50 overall Friday night.

Although he is not long, standing only 5-foot-9, Sainristil is built and plays strong at 182 pounds.

The Commanders’ third choice in this draft was named 2nd team All-Big 10, leading the Wolverines’ defense with six interceptions in 2023

Peters, with this selection, obtained the best defender on the nation’s best defensive team, which won the national championship, led by its defense.

Also quite noteworthy is the new Commanders defensive back has only two seasons of playing on the defensive side of the ball. Sainristil actually played his first two seasons at Michigan as a receiver. Therefore, there is still plenty of upside in learning how to play defense.

He accumulated 108 tackles on defense for Michigan, so look for the Commanders to play him on the inside as a slot corner. He is an aggressive tackler, the leading tackler among Michigan defensive backs.

 

Nick Saban gushes about former Michigan football DB Mike Sainristil at NFL draft

You don’t get much better praise than this. #GoBlue

If there’s someone who knows a little something about defensive back play, it’s former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. If there’s someone who knows a little something about defensive backs who were on the Michigan football team, it’s also Nick Saban.

Known as a secondary guru, the coaching GOAT at the college football level hung up his whistle after the Wolverines beat the Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. So the last game he prepared for was Michigan.

And when former Wolverines defensive back Mike Sainristil was selected by the Washington Commanders at No. 50 overall in the 2024 NFL draft, Saban — now with the ABC-ESPN broadcast crew and on the scene in Detroit — raved about the outgoing team captain and newly minted NFL pick.

“I love — there’s a difference between love and love — and I love this guy!” Saban said. “This guy may be the best football player, pound-for-pound, in the draft. He’s instinctive, he’s physical, and I know he’s not very big. But I’m gonna tell you what, this guy makes plays. He can cover. He can tackle. He’s tough, a fast reactor. I just love the way this guy plays.

“A good blitzer. Killed us in our game blitzing. Just killed us off the edge as a star. He’s a star probably — that’s what he should play, nickel.”

You can watch the entire interaction below

Washington Commanders select Michigan DB Mike Sainristil with the 50th overall pick. Grade: A

Michigan DB Mike Sainristil gives the Commanders what every modern defense needs — a do-it-all slot weapon.

If you’re yelling at the Commanders because they took a slot defender in the middle of the second round, pull your head out of 1999, and move it to 2024. In today’s NFL, if you don’t have at least one good slot guy, your defense is in big trouble. Michigan DB Mike Sainristil took his receiver skills to the defense, and became a tone-setter in the Wolverines’ national championship defense. He should be that same kind of tone-setter pretty quickly in the NFL.

A composite three-star prospect out of Everett High School in Everett, Massachusetts, Mike Sainristil was a star receiver and cornerback who chose Michigan and totaled 37 catches on 69 targets for 541 yards and five touchdowns in his time with the Wolverines. Sainristil brought that receiver’s understanding to his role as a primary slot defender, capping out in Michigan’s national championship season of 2023 with 29 catches allowed on 50 targets for 412 yards, 206 yards after the catch, four touchdowns, six interceptions, six pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 71.8. He also had 29 solo tackles, 18 stops, two sacks, and 11 total pressures.

In today’s NFL, you need at least one slot defender if you want your defense to work, so don’t pass Sainristil by just because he’s limited to the inside. He’s a smart, tough, aggressive, scheme-transcendent player who can work into an NFL roster right away.

PLUSES

— Quick closer to the receiver, and has a better eye for the ball than a lot of receivers do.

— Can lay in the weeds and jump routes with excellent timing and ball skills. Six INT and six PBU in the 2023 season.

— Matches the receiver through the route in press and off coverage, and has the easy speed to work through them.

— Understands and responds to switches and route combinations. Very heady in the open field.

— Outstanding hitter for his size; he’ll come down and lay the wallop, and a lot of his pass deflections come as a result of that.

— Great blitzer who shoots gaps like a running back, and is quick enough to get to the quarterback at an angle from the slot.

MINUSES

— Size (5′ 9½”, 182 pounds) will limit him to the slot at the next level.

— Has a tendency to leave too much cushion on angular routes, leading to easy completions he has the talent to prevent.

— Not a run defender of note; he gets blocked out too easily and his tackling is more made for receivers than running backs.

— Frenetic play style will have him biting on movement and action in the backfield.

— Will lose physical battles with tight ends and bigger receivers off the snap and up the seam.

We’re past the eras in which slot defenders were thought of in a pejorative sense; in a time when nickel is the new base defense, if you don’t have at least one good slot guy against a plethora of 3×1 and empty sets, your defense is going to be in trouble. Sainristil projects as a plug-and-play slot man with some hybrid safety potential, and I think that gives him a lot of equity in the eyes of NFL evaluators.