Michigan DB Mike Sainristil reveals hidden superpower ahead of 2024 NFL Draft

Former Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil pulled no punches on Tuesday, revealing his "hidden superpower" from his playing days in Ann Arbor while highlighting honors from the scouting website Pro Football Focus. 

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound defensive back revealed the news that he had been named "Best in Slot" and "Best Blitzer" for the 2024 NFL Draft on his Instagram story before adding a final message, calling himself the "Best Slot WR," with a sunglasses emoji at the end of the message.

Sainristil has been doubted since he was rated a three-star prospect out of Everett, Massachusetts, in 2019. 

Sainristil entered then-head coach Jim Harbaugh's Michigan program without much fanfare but quickly become one of the team's leaders and most promising players. He exited Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a national championship and three Big Ten Championships to his name and logged a game-sealing interception against Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington Huskies on Jan. 8, 2024. 

The Michigan Wolverines nickelback now finds himself waiting for word on his new home come April 25 or 26, the dates for the 2024 NFL Draft's first, second and third rounds. 

Sainristil was recently labeled a future "average starter" by NFL.com. 

Judging by the multiple-time champion's confidence and recent combine performance, it appears as if he is being underestimated yet again. 

Sainristil's soaring draft stock 

The Massachusetts native was named as the No. 36 overall prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft by Pro Football Focus, a testament to his versatility and unique skills. 

Sainristil caught 36 passes for 532 yards at Michigan during his first three years with the school from 2019-2021. He played on defense in 2019 and 2021, recording six tackles in limited defensive action. 

He capped off his career with two incredible seasons in the secondary. Sainristil had 58 tackles, two sacks, seven passes defensed and an interception in 2022, helping lead Michigan to the College Football Playoff. 

Sainristil became a dominant slot corner in 2023, recording 44 tackles, six passes defensed, two sacks, and six interceptions for 232 return yards and two touchdowns in 2023's national championship season. 

Reunion with Harbaugh on the horizon? 

The converted wide receiver has become a hot commodity in Detroit's upcoming NFL Draft after running a 4.47 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. 

Sainristil has been projected as high as the middle of the second round but is likely to be a late second-to-third-round pick. 

The ex-Wolverines defender had a positive visit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently, saying the Bucs treated him like family. He also teased a potential reunion with former teammate Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions earlier this spring, suggesting that the defending NFL North champions could have mutual interest in drafting him. 

A recent USA Today drafted has projected Sainristil to be taken by his former coach Harbaugh and the San Diego Chargers in the second round.