Joel Klatt reveals why he is so high on Mike Sainristil in 2024 NFL Draft
Outside of those in Ann Arbor, not too many got as close of a look at Mike Sainristil during his Michigan career than FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt.
Klatt, alongside Gus Johnson, have called numerous Michigan games over the past few years, including during their 15-0, national championship-winning season in 2023. Not only is Klatt very familiar with Sainristil’s game, but he’s high on him as a prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, he said this week on “The Joel Klatt Show.”
“16 of their games that I called over the last three seasons — Mikey Sainristil, nickelback, Michigan,” Klatt said. “That might be too high, I don’t know if he’s going to get taken in the fourth [round], maybe not, maybe third, maybe high second, I’m not sure. But I can tell you this: He was the best defender on the best defense in college football. Every offensive coordinator that I’ve talked to would talk about having to know where he was at.
“… He can play a lot of different positions and he’s just a really good football player.”
Initially a receiver, Sainristil spent five seasons at Michigan, converting to cornerback ahead of the 2022 season. In 29 games over the last two seasons, Sainristil tallied 102 tackles (64 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, seven interceptions and 13 passes defended. Sainristil earned first-team All-Big Ten and All-American honors in 2023. He was named MVP of the Big Ten Football Championship Game.
Mike Sainristil among many Michigan star prospects
Sainristil is one of many former Wolverines expected to go in the top half of the draft. Those include quarterback J.J. McCarthy, defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, receiver Roman Wilson and running back Blake Corum among others.
McCarthy in particular is rising and could be a top-five selection by the time draft day rolls around next month.
“People can’t wrap their mind around the fact that J.J. McCarthy could be going forth or even in the top 10. And I’m telling them, trust me, I talk to these teams all the time. I know what these coaches and general managers think of this guy,” NFL Network‘s Daniel Jeremiah said. “The more you watch him, he’s an acquired taste. But you appreciate some of the things he does, especially when you get into 3rd and 7+ when you watch that cut-up.
“There’s the need there and there’s demand, and we have a legitimate supply that you can sell, so I think it’s going to happen.”