Sainristil becomes perhaps Michigan’s best player on defense after 3 seasons on offense
Position switches in college football often occur when a player isn’t producing.
That wasn’t the case with Mike Sainristil at Michigan.
In his third season at wide receiver in 2021, he was a key target and his highlight-worthy catches seemed to set him up for a bright future on offense with the Wolverines.
Jim Harbaugh had another idea entering spring ball last year, suggesting Sainristil switch to defensive back.
“He saw something that maybe I didn’t see in myself at the time,” Sainristil recalled recently in an interview. “My mindset was prove him right, prove myself right and take advantage of the opportunity.”
He has done just that, becoming a key contributor in the secondary last season and arguably the best player on a highly ranked defense this year.
“With everything that has been said this year about this program, about this team, about the success we’ve had,” Sainristil said, “what better opportunity to have against a team like Alabama to go be able to prove who we are.”
Jalen Milroe has led a resurgent passing game for the Crimson Tide since getting benched in Week 2 against South Florida.
The dynamic quarterback has seven touchdown passes without an interception over the past three games and had some clutch passes against Georgia in the SEC championship game and a remarkable completion on fourth-and-goal from the 31 for a touchdown to Isaiah Bonds to beat Auburn.
