Michigan DB Mike Sainristil 'loves' blitzing, models game after Dax Hill
Michigan Wolverines football senior defensive back Mike Sainristil has been playing defensive back at the college level for just over six months. Watching him fly around in a winged helmet the last three weekends, you wouldn’t know it. He appears to be a natural at the nickel position, where he’s settled in nicely.
Sainristil is seventh on the team with 7 tackles, including a team-high 2 behind the line of scrimmage and 1 sack. He’s notched 2 pressures on 5 blitzes, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), flashing his versatility.
“Mike Sainristil just seems like he’s getting them just as quick as Dax Hill was last year in the same kind of pressure package,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the Wolverines’ 59-0 win over UConn. “It’s been good.”
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It’s not a coincidence Sainristil is playing in a similar fashion to Michigan’s former player at the position. Hill went to the Cincinnati Bengals late in the first round of this past spring’s NFL Draft, so he set a high bar, but Sainristil is on his way to potentially matching his production.
“I’ve texted Dax. I’ve watched his film,” Sainristil explained. “Just seeing what he did out there and asking him what he did in certain situations is what’s helped me transition. And, of course, the guys in the room as well, asking them how to do certain things, or when certain situations come up, what to expect.
The Michigan defensive back added, discussing what stood out from watching Hill on tape: “Dax’s physicality, and just beating perimeter blocks and setting edges, because that’s something he did really well.”
Sainristil has been a sure-tackler in the early going, somewhat surprising for a player who spent the last three seasons playing receiver for Michigan. He’s used his experience being physical in the run blocking game to help him on the defensive side of the ball.
“When I was on offense blocking, I looked at it the same way just being physical, just playing with aggression, and that’s really it,” Sainristil said.
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Sainristil has covered well, too. He’s allowed 5 receptions on 7 targets, but for only 35 yards (7 yards per catch) and no touchdowns.
“I feel like I’m more so playing football than I am just playing defensive back,” the Michigan captain said. “Just out there having fun, doing my responsibility, doing my 1/11th of the defense is more so what I feel like than I’m out there playing a certain position.”
Mike Sainristil, Michigan secondary set for biggest challenge yet
Michigan opens Big Ten play with a home game against Maryland this weekend. The Terrapins tout a formidable passing offense led by quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and a group of high-level receivers. Among the pass-catchers is slot Rakim Jarrett, who’s pacing the team with 196 receiving yards.
Tagovailoa ranks third in the nation in completion percentage (77.3), 13th in passing efficiency (180.7), 14th in total offense (316.3), 15th in passing yards per game (298.3) and 24th in completions per game (22.67).
“I’d say that we’ve done a good job of playing to our standard. I think we’re really going to be challenged athletically and physically this week, not to take away from our last three opponents,” Sainristil said. “But once you hit Big Ten play, it’s more time to you know, start biting into your mouthpiece a little more, strap your attention a little tighter, just because you know what you’re going to get from your opponents.”
The Michigan senior said the Maryland wideouts have stood out on tape.
“A lot of speed. They have some guys with good size on them,” Sainristil said. “Guys who will block guys who are physical, a little bit like our receivers here. But it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to in the defensive back room.”
