Commanders pick DB Mike Sainristil in second round of 2024 NFL draft. What to know

The Washington Commanders selected Michigan football defensive back Mike Sainristil with the 50th pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Sainristil spent five seasons with the Wolverines, twice serving as a captain, while capturing three Big Ten Titles and one national title. Here's everything you need to know about Sainristil:

Mike Sainristil scouting report

Sainristil is the poster child for turning a former wide receiver into a defensive back. His offensive instincts are clear when he breaks on passes as he has exceptional field awareness, body control and elite ball skills (as evidenced by his six interceptions this season). He has quickness, is incredibly intelligent and nearly every player in the secondary at some point in Ann Arbor last season cited him as their mentor. Despite his smaller frame, Sainristil is more than adequate in run defense.

Mike Sainristil height, weight

Sainristil is listed at 5-foot-9 and 182 lbs. He's an Everett, Massachusetts, native and attended Everett (Mass.) High School.

Mike Sainristil college stats

Across 62 games with the Wolverines, Sainristil accounted for 108 tackles (70 solo), 13 passes deflected, four sacks, seven interceptions, two touchdowns and two forced fumbles;.

As a wide receiver, he tallied 36 catches for 532 yards and five touchdowns.

Mike Sainristil highlights

Sainristil, a consensus All-American, had an 72-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 49-0 rout of rival Michigan State, a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown against Rutgers and had multiple interceptions in a tight 30-24 road win over Maryland. But the play of Sainristil's college career was the last ball he touched in a college game. U-M led Washington by two touchdowns with less than 5 minutes left in the national championship when Sainristil intercepted Michael Penix Jr. and returned it 81 yards to put the game on ice and set up the final score.

Mike Sainristil pro day results

Sainristil put together "elite" numbers at the combine in the 4.47-second 40-yard dash and 10-foot-11 broad jump. He recorded "great" composite speed numbers for his 10-yard split (1.51) and shuttle (4.01) and "good" numbers in the 3-cone (6.99 seconds). All together, his relative athletic score – which was knocked for his smaller stature – finished at 8.51 out of 10, 333rd of 2,222 people at his position since 1987.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Commanders pick DB Mike Sainristil in 2024 NFL draft. What to know