Big Ten awards: Trio of Wolverines make first-team defense, 14 earn D/ST honors
The Big Ten Conference announced its defensive and special teams awards on Tuesday (Nov. 28) with Michigan football‘s Mason Graham (defensive tackle), Will Johnson (cornerback) and Mike Sainristil (nickel) making the conference’s all-defensive first team.
Johnson, a sophomore, was a first-team selection by the coaches and media, while classmate Graham was selected by the coaches. Sainristil, a two-time captain and graduate student, made the cut in the media ballots.
Johnson has 20 tackles and three interceptions this year, while Graham racked up 29 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, 21 QB pressures and 17 run stops during the regular season. Sainristil has 28 total tackles, five interceptions and a sack this year.
Sainristil’s nod from the Big Ten closes out a career that saw him start at wide receiver, but switch to nickel in 2022’s spring practices. Since then, he has twice been voted a captain with several big plays in key moments for the Michigan defense.
“His leadership, I mean it’s constant,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier this season. “He just affects everybody that he comes in contact with in a positive way. I’m sure you see the see same thing that we do. Loved by the players, loved by the coaches, and it’s great to see. He’s already a Michigan legend, right? To see him continuing to add to that is just a beautiful thing. A wonderful, wonderful thing.”
Michigan had a trio of players appear on the second team with junior linebacker Junior Colson, senior defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and sophomore defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, who received a second-team nod from the coaches and a third-team nod from the media.
Sixth-year linebacker Michael Barrett and junior defensive back Rod Moore were third-team picks by the coaches and honorable mentions by the media.
Senior EDGEs Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor, sophomore EDGE Derrick Moore and graduate cornerback Josh Wallace were honorable mentions on both ballots. Senior safety Makari Paige and junior EDGE Josaiah Stewart were honorable mentions by the media.
On special teams, graduate kicker James Turner made the second team by the coaches and was an honorable mention by the media. Sophomore punter Tommy Doman was a third-team selection by the coaches and an honorable mention in the media poll. Both ballots listed freshman wide receiver Semaj Morgan as an honorable mention as a returner.
Offensive honorees and individual award winners will be announced on Wednesday by the conference.
All-Big Ten representatives for Michigan (coaches)
Defense
First Team: Mason Graham (defensive line), Will Johnson (defensive back)
Second Team: Junior Colson (linebacker), Kenneth Grant (defensive line), Kris Jenkins (defensive line), Mike Sainristil (defensive back)
Third Team: Michael Barrett (linebacker), Rod Moore (defensive back)
Honorable Mention: Jaylen Harrell (defensive line), Braiden McGregor (defensive line), Derrick Moore (defensive line), Makari Paige (defensive back), Josaiah Stewart (defensive line), Josh Wallace (defensive back)
Special Teams
Second Team: James Turner (kicker)
Third Team: Tommy Doman (punter)
Honorable Mention: Semaj Morgan (return specialist)
All-Big Ten representatives for Michigan (media)
Defense
First Team: Will Johnson (defensive back), Mike Sainristil (defensive back)
Second Team: Junior Colson (linebacker), Kris Jenkins (defensive line)
Third Team: Mason Graham (defensive line), Kenneth Grant (defensive line)
Honorable Mention: Michael Barrett (linebacker), Jaylen Harrell (defensive line), Braiden McGregor (defensive line), Derrick Moore (defensive line), Rod Moore (defensive back), Josh Wallace (defensive back)
Special Teams
Honorable Mention: Tommy Doman (punter), Semaj Morgan (return specialist), James Turner (kicker)
Michigan’s season will carry on this weekend with a trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game against Iowa. Kickoff from Lucas Oil Stadium is set for just after 8 p.m. ET with FOX televising the contest.
