Consider Joel Klatt a believer in the potential of former Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
During his latest episode of The Joel Klatt Show, where Klatt ranked the top 50 prospects in the coming NFL Draft, Sainristil came in at No. 49, and Klatt took some time to elaborate on why he believes the former Wolverines star can be a major contributor at the next level.
“No. 49, one of my favorite players in college football last year and really for the last few years, Mikey Sainristil, the nickel-back for Michigan. He falls inside of my top 50,” Klatt explained. “Now if you listen to the Plant Your Flag podcast episode last week, you’ll know how highly I think of Mikey Sainristil. He was the best defender on the best defense in college football, and he’s only been playing defense really full time for two years.
“His ceiling is ridiculously high, because he’s a hybrid player. He can play all over the interior of the defense, meaning like the interior the passing game, and he’s not a guy that’s gonna get intimidated with matchups. I think he can cover tight ends, even though he’s small. He can cover wide receivers. He was a wide receiver, and he’s constantly around the ball. Really love his game, so he’s No. 49.”
Additionally, Klatt even compared Sainristil to two legendary defensive backs, believing he shares traits with Ed Reed and Tyrann Mathieu.
“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 added, 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.”
In the end, it’s up to Mike Sainristil to make good on his potential, and Joel Klatt’s praise. We’ll see if the former Michigan defender can elevate his game and continue to be a force when his time in the NFL comes around.
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