Mike Sainristil

Mike Sainristil (born October 3, 2000) is a Haitian American football cornerback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He was a college football All-American for the Michigan Wolverines, winning three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles and a national championship in 2023. Sainristil was selected by the Commanders in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life
Sainristil was born on October 3, 2000, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His family left the country when Sainristil was seven months old after his father, a radio station director, received threats following the 2000 Haitian presidential election. The family settled in Everett, Massachusetts, where Sainristil later attended Everett High School. Sainristil was the 2018 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, playing wide receiver and defensive back. He caught 30 passes for 762 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the Everett Crimson Tide (10-1) to the Division 1 North Sectional semifinals. Sainristil also recorded six interceptions in the secondary, including three in one game. He concluded his high school career with 28 receiving touchdowns.

College career
In November 2018, he committed to play college football at the University of Michigan. He enrolled early and turned heads in Michigan's 2019 spring practice. Michigan's defensive coaches sought to use him as a cornerback, but the offensive staff won out in having him as a wide receiver.

Despite his strong showing in spring practice, Sainristil saw limited time as a true freshman, catching eight passes for 145 yards and his first collegiate touchdown against Notre Dame, on October 26, 2019, totaling 73 yards in the game.

With the departure of receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tarik Black, and Nico Collins, Sainristil played a larger role in Michigan's offense during the 2020 and 2021 season.

In 2022, Sainristil moved to cornerback. He finished his first collegiate season season on defense with 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 7 pass breakups and his first career interception on a pass throw by Max Duggan in the Fiesta Bowl. He was named All-Big Ten honorable mention following the season.

In 2023, Sainristil was voted a captain for a second consecutive season. He was named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News, ESPN and FOX, finishing the season with 44 tackles, 1 sack, 6 interceptions, 2 returned for touchdowns and 2 forced fumbles. Sainristil was named the MVP of the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game and recorded the game-clinching interception in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, intercepting Michael Penix Jr. and returning it 81 yards.

Professional career
Sainristil was selected by the Washington Commanders in the second round (50th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 11, 2024.