The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2022 THE WOLVERINE 25 For some players, it can take years be- fore they're comfortable enough with new responsibilities to contribute meaningful snaps. Few are able to pick it up in a spring and run with it like Sainristil did. That's one of the things that makes him special, and he insists he's still just getting started. "I'm definitely comfortable," he said. "I still have yet to be in positions I've never been in, but I'd said I'm comfortable right now … but I don't want myself thinking I'm comfortable. I'm always … not wor- ried, but in the back of my mind, just play my best, do my job, handle my responsi- bilities and be the best version of myself on defense for the team." Part of him still thinks about catching passes, too, he admits. If he gets an op- portunity there, he insisted he wouldn't miss a beat. Clinkscale, though, would likely fight to keep him if it came to a full-time switch back. His senior has been so far ahead of the curve since spring that nothing really surprises his coaches. "[He gives] unbelievable effort, unbe- lievable strain, unbelievable passion on just trying to make plays and do things right," Clinkscale said earlier in the sea- son. "He wants to be the best DB on the team — wants to be the best DB in the nation. That's his goal. "He'll play receiver. 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 con- tinue to be great in that role." In fact, it's not an option to Sainristil. He made a personal pact before the season to be a difference-maker. "I definitely made a promise to myself before the season started that wherever I'm at, I'm going to give the team my all," he said. "I set goals for myself, and ev- ery week I'm chasing those goals, making sure my preparation — whether it's film or on-the-field stuff — I'm just staying consistent in what I do to help this team get to where it needs to be." He — and they — are almost there, just a few wins away from the ultimate goal of a Big Ten title and/or playoff berth for the second straight year. If they get it, No. 0 will have had a lot to do with it. ❏ Some Of Michigan's Most Successful Position Switches Over The Last Several Decades Michigan football's mantra has al- ways been "the team, the team, the team," and that sometimes entails doing what's best for your brothers — even if it means sacrificing some of your own wants or goals. Tripp Welborne will always be one of Michigan's best position-switchers. He was reluctant to make the move from wide receiver in the late 1980s, but he became an All-American at safety and would have had a long NFL career if he hadn't blown out his knee on a punt return late in his se- nior year. Here are other mid-career position switches that worked out great for both Michigan and the player: • Jon Vaughn, defensive back to running back, 1990: Vaughn was switched in Gary Moeller's first year as head coach and made an immedi- ate splash. He ran for 201 yards in a loss at Notre Dame, a game Michigan often dominated despite losing, and followed up with 288 the following week against UCLA. He earned Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors and left for the NFL after the following season when he started to share carries with Ricky Pow- ers. • Steve Hutchinson, defensive line to offensive line, 1997: Hutchinson moved from defensive line to offensive guard in his 1996 redshirt season and never looked back. He was a four-year, first-team All-Big Ten selection, a two-time team captain, a key cog on the 1997 national championship squad, and a unanimous first-team All- America selection as a senior. Hutchinson was an Outland Trophy finalist in his senior season, as well, and didn't allow a sack in his final two seasons. He only got better from there, of course. "Hutch" went on to become a multiple- year All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection as a member of the Seattle Seahawks and Min- nesota Vikings. He's now an NFL Hall of Famer. • Dave Pearson, defensive line to center, 2002: Pearson played as a backup de- fensive tackle in 2000 and 2001, moved to the offensive line during spring ball, and was the Wolverines' starting center in 2002 and 2003. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 2003 and was part of two Big Ten championship teams — his final season and 2000. Pearson spent four years in professional football, primarily on NFL practice squads. He did play in a few games with the Detroit Lions in 2006, retired in 2007 and became a successful businessman in New York City. • David Baas, guard to center, 2004: Baas earned first-team All-Big Ten honors three times. He started at left guard until the middle of his senior season, when he moved to center to shore up the position in the Big Ten opener with Iowa. He captured the Hugh H. Rader award as the Wolverines' best offensive lineman, was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to college football's best interior lineman, and a co-recipient of the Rimington Trophy, awarded to college football's top center. He was also recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 2004. Baas played several seasons in the NFL before retiring. — Chris Balas Tripp Welborne will always be one of Michigan's best position- switchers. Originally a wide receiver, he became a two-time unanimous first- team All-American at safety in 1989 and 1990. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS