The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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24 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2022 those guys who kind of took that road and just embraced it. "It was surprising coming from receiver to playing defense, just the physicality that he brought," Barrett added. "But I could tell he could bring that physicality just by the way he blocked on offense and just the different things he does. I wouldn't say it [actually] surprised me, but that was one thing that I was really im- pressed with." Simply put, he doesn't shy away from contact — in fact, he embraces it and thrives on making plays. Against Ne- braska, he provided a highlight reel tackle when a Cornhuskers player tried to leap him for a few extra yards. Sainristil re- sponded immediately, providing a high- light of his own with the tackle. It's part of a "playing with aggression" mindset that's made his transition so seamless. It's also made him an outstand- ing blitzer, like Hill last year. He just likes to hit. "I love it," Sainristil said of the blitz. "If I could do it every play I would, but unfor- tunately I can't. But it's definitely fun, just getting up there in the quarterback's face or just being right in the run fit as soon as the mesh is happening. "It's very fun, and it's what you want to do as a nickel." MORE CHALLENGES AHEAD Coverage, though, is his primary re- sponsibility, and he's not yet a finished product. Sainristil also knows there are bigger tests ahead — Nov. 26 in Co- lumbus comes to mind. The Buckeyes feel like they have something to prove, and quarterback C.J. Stroud's Heisman candidacy pretty much ended in Ann Arbor last year. The Wolverines will need all their de- fensive backs to be at their best, including their new addition. "I don't know if that's what opponents' game plans are, if they'll attack me or not," Sainristil said. "I won't be surprised if I'm starting to get attacked again soon, just with the opponents we have coming up. I'm just going to make sure I do my job, win my one-on-ones. "Just focus in when it's me, when it's my turn … make the most of my oppor- tunities." It helps, he added, to know he's not on an island. Most of the Michigan defensive backs can play multiple positions in de- fensive coordinator Jesse Minter's and co- coordinator Steve Clinkscale's secondary, and the chemistry has been outstanding. If a player struggles on a play or two, his brothers are there to pick him up. "It's definitely special to have guys in the unit we have, where we can go from corner, we can go from nickel, and we have the safeties who can also play nickel … a nickel like myself that can play cor- ner," Sainristil said. "Will [Johnson], DJ [Turner] can come in at nickel. It brings depth. "I think Coach Clink really trusts us, that whoever's in the game at whatever position will get the job done. And from here on through the season, it's going to benefit us the most." But they definitely love and trust Sain- ristil, and that's evident any time one of his teammates or coaches talks about him. Some shake their heads in amazement. Others' eyes light up when asked about the transition and his role as a leader. Co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale on Sainristil "He'll do anything we've asked him to do. But wherever it's going to be, he definitely wants to be the best at it. And it's really just his drive and his personality, his mental makeup. He's already a leader, and he's going to continue to be great in that role." Sainristil finished with 2 tackles and a pass breakup in the Wolverines' 29-7 victory over Michigan State, helping bring the Paul Bunyan Trophy back to Ann Arbor. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL