Mike Sainristil is a Haitian American professional football cornerback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, winning a national championship and earning All-American honors in 2023. Sainristil was selected by the Commanders in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Early Life and Background
Mike Sainristil was born on October 3, 2000, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He and his family left the country when he was seven months old after his father, a radio station director, received threats following the 2000 Haitian presidential election. The family settled in Everett, Massachusetts, where Sainristil attended Everett High School. He was named Massachusetts 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, recording 30 receptions for 762 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding six interceptions as a defensive back. He concluded his high school career with 28 receiving touchdowns.
Path to American Football
In November 2018, Sainristil committed to play college football for the Wolverines at the University of Michigan. He enrolled early and turned heads during Michigan 2019 spring practice. Michigan defensive coaches sought to use him as a cornerback, but the offensive staff won out in keeping him as a wide receiver. Despite his strong showing in spring practice, Sainristil saw limited time as a true freshman, catching eight passes for 145 yards and his first collegiate touchdown against Notre Dame on October 26, 2019.
Mike Sainristil Career
Michigan Wolverines Years (2019-2023)
With the departure of receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tarik Black, and Nico Collins, Sainristil played a larger role in Michigan offense during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In 2022, Sainristil made the transition to cornerback. He finished his first collegiate season on defense with 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 7 pass breakups, and his first career interception in the Fiesta Bowl against Max Duggan. He was named All-Big Ten honorable mention following the season.
In 2023, Sainristil was voted a captain for the second consecutive season. He was named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News, ESPN, and FOX, finishing the season with 44 tackles, 1 sack, 6 interceptions, 2 returned for touchdowns, and 2 forced fumbles. Sainristil was named the MVP of the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game. He recorded the game-clinching interception in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, intercepting Michael Penix Jr. and returning it 81 yards. Michigan finished the season 14-0, defeating Washington 34-13.
Washington Commanders Era (2024-Present)
Sainristil was selected by the Washington Commanders in the second round (50th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 11, 2024. Sainristil recorded his first career interception in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. He forced and recovered his first fumble in Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, becoming the third rookie in team history to record both in a single game. Sainristil was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week after recording 10 tackles and 3 pass breakups in the regular season finale, finishing the season as the team leader in interceptions with two. He finished the 2024 regular season with 93 tackles, 14 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
In the Divisional Round playoff game against the Detroit Lions, he recorded two interceptions that helped advance the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game. At the start of the 2025 season, Sainristil was named the starting nickelback with Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos starting on the outside. In Week 4, he recorded his first interception of the season against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the same player he intercepted in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Following Amos suffering a season-ending injury in Week 10, Sainristil was moved back outside for the rest of the season. At the end of the 2025 season, he led the team with four interceptions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sainristil most memorable professional moment came in his rookie playoff debut against the Detroit Lions, where his two interceptions helped propel the Commanders to their first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1992. The interception against Michael Penix Jr. in the National Championship game remains one of the defining plays of his career, with his 81-yard return sealing Michigan victory. His versatility to play both nickelback and outside cornerback has made him invaluable to the Commanders defensive scheme.
Mike Sainristil Career Wins
Sainristil accumulated significant achievements across his college and professional career, highlighted by a national championship and All-American honors.
College Highlights
During his college career at Michigan, Sainristil was a key contributor on both sides of the ball. He won the CFP National Championship in 2023 and was named First-team All-American that same season. He earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and was voted team captain. His MVP performance in the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game cemented his status as one of the top defensive backs in the country. He also won the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship with Michigan.
Professional Highlights
In his rookie season, Sainristil earned Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors and led the Commanders with two interceptions. He helped lead the team to the NFC Championship Game in his rookie season, contributing two interceptions in the Divisional Round playoff victory over the Lions. In his second professional season, he led the team with four interceptions and recorded 178 tackles, establishing himself as a foundational piece of the Commanders secondary.
| Competition Level | Season | Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (Commanders) | 2024 | 93 | 2 | 14 |
| NFL (Commanders) | 2025 | 178 | 6 | 26 |
Mike Sainristil Family
Family Background and Heritage
Sainristil was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and his family relocated to Everett, Massachusetts, when he was seven months old. His father worked as a radio station director before the family was forced to leave Haiti following threats connected to the 2000 Haitian presidential election. His Haitian heritage remains an important part of his identity.
Personal Life
Sainristil welcomed his first child, a daughter, in 2024. He resides in Everett, Massachusetts, during the offseason.
2025 Season Performance
Sainristil began the 2025 season as the Commanders starting nickelback, splitting duties between the slot and outside cornerback positions as needed. In Week 4, he recorded his first interception of the season against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the same player he famously intercepted in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship game. Following the season-ending injury to Trey Amos in Week 10, Sainristil moved permanently to the outside cornerback position for the remainder of the season.
He finished the 2025 season leading the team with four interceptions while also accumulating 178 tackles, 26 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles across 17 games. His ability to seamlessly transition between nickelback and outside cornerback provided the Commanders with valuable defensive flexibility throughout the season.
Sainristil continued his strong defensive play in his second professional season, demonstrating consistency and growth as one of the Commanders most reliable defensive backs. His leadership and Versatility positioned him as a key building block for the franchise future.