Joel Klatt reveals why he sees similarities between Mike Sainristil, Ed Reed

The NFL Draft process is full of player comparisons as analysts and evaluators look to compare college prospects to proven NFL talent in order to help contextualize their ability and potential as they enter the league. But sometimes player comparisons come with lofty expectations when all-time great players are mentioned in the same sentence as players who haven’t played a down of professional football.

Analyst Joel Klatt recently listed players in the upcoming draft that he feels very strongly about and included Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil. The former Wolverine captain that Klatt compared to a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“Mike Sainristil reminds me, this is not a direct comparison, but in terms of their ability to play freely, and roam, and be a nuisance for the offense,” Klatt said treading carefully. “He reminds me, he’s in the same vein as, although not a direct comparison, like an Ed Reed or a Honey Badger (Tyrann Mathieu).”

“Like these guys that they’re always around the ball, they have this innate ability to not just play the structure of the defense, but to impact the play out of that structure and Sainristil has that,” Klatt explained. “And that’s why I’m really confident this guy is not only gonna stick, he’s going to be able to contribute on special teams right away, he’s gonna be able to get on the field, and I guarantee you Mikey Sainristil is on the field making plays next year as a rookie.”

There’s no question that comparisons to Reed and Mathieu aren’t small ones that should be taken lightly, especially for a player who’s only played on the defensive side of the ball for two seasons during his college career. But Klatt believes that his athleticism, instincts, and versatility he displayed during his time with the Wolverines makes him a slam dunk selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.

“Here’s what I do not have a question about with Mike Sainristil, his ability to impact a football game at defensive back. He’s the best nickel back in the country and he’s only played defense for two years … Mikey Sainristil was one of my favorite players to cover over the last couple of years,” Klatt said.

After spending the first three seasons of his Michigan career as a wide receiver, he moved to defensive back where he thrived. Displaying the ability to not just make impact plays on the defense, but room to grow at the position as well with tremendous upside in Klatt’s eyes ahead of his NFL career.

It will be fascinating to see when and where Sainristil gets selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, and if he can live up to the confidence that Klatt has in him along with comparisons to some of the greats that have played before him.