Jim Harbaugh on Mike Sainristil: 'He's Already A Michigan Legend'

Ever since making the transition from offense to defense prior to the 2022 season, Mike Sainristil has been one of the most productive and reliable components of the Michigan defense. As is often the case, Sainristil once again found himself in the right place at the right time on Saturday afternoon against Rutgers - making an incredible interception that turned into a pick six for the man wearing No. 0.

.@MikeSainristil PICK 6!#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/Z3Wd7HtQtQ
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 23, 2023

Meeting with the media on Monday, head coach Jim Harbaugh discussed what he saw from his veteran DB on Saturday.

"Mikey - it was an incredible play," Harbaugh said. "When I got to see it from the different angles, and the way he kept his feet. First, the ball skills - which he has tremendous ball skills - the athleticism, the balance."

"For him to stay up, and then to get into making the moves he did and take it back to the crib, as the young people like to say, that was just a beautiful, beautiful thing."

Sainristil has made a lot of big plays on both sides of the ball throughout his Michigan career, and arguably one of the biggest plays of the 2022 season last year. Michigan was holding a 31-20 lead over Ohio State with just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, and the Buckeyes had an opportunity to get in the endzone to possibly cut the lead to three. For a split second, it looked like CJ Stroud's pass to TE Cade Stover in the endzone was going to be a completion...until Mike Sainristil made up ground at the last second to break up the pass.

Following Sainristil's incredible defensive play, the Buckeyes would settle for a field goal to make it 31-23. It would be the first (and only) time the Buckeyes scored in the second half that afternoon.

2022 Big Time Performances: Mike Sainristil vs Ohio State

As U-M held a 31-20 lead with just over 7 min left in the 4th, Sainristil made what might be the biggest play of the 2022 season - breaking up a sure TD and forcing OSU to settle for a field goal instead.

〽️#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/LaI7iTsagK
— The Winged Helmet (@TWH_Chris) May 26, 2023

Beyond his physical skills and athleticism on the football field, Harbaugh elaborated on what makes Sainristil such a special player for the Wolverines. From his leadership qualities, to the way he makes an impact on those around him, Harbaugh said that Sainristil is already a Michigan Football legend.

"His leadership, I mean it's constant. He just affects everybody that he comes in contact with in a positive way. I'm sure you see the see same thing that we do. Loved by the players, loved by the coaches, and it's great to see. He's already a Michigan legend, right? To see him continuing to add to that is just a beautiful thing. A wonderful, wonderful thing."

He definitely doesn't get the love he deserves from a national perspective, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a Michigan Football fan who doesn't share Harbaugh's assessment of Mike Sainristil.

There's no question about it, Sainristil is a Michigan Football legend.