ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Mike Sainristil already knows what it’s like to play wide receiver for the Michigan football team. For his first three years in Ann Arbor, it’s been his forte, along with special teams. But in 2022, he’s made something of a switch to the defensive side of the ball, playing cornerback.
While Sainristil might still play on offense, that he’s spent the bulk of fall camp on defense has given him a bit of a different perspective of his original position, meaning he can share some insight on what it’s like to go up against the offensive skill players as a defensive back.
On Tuesday, we asked Sainristil who’s the toughest to defend, and while he named all the usual suspects, he did mention one obscure player on the roster.
“Roman runs was really fast. Ronnie’s really detailed with his routes, and he’s been looking really sharp since he’s been back off his injury,” Sainristil said. “Peyton O’Leary is one that’s coming up right now. Walk on guy, but I don’t even look at him that way. I think he’s right up there with anybody who’s on scholarship, he’s doing really well right now. Cornelius, Andrel, A.J. — everyone looks really good right now. So that’s a good thing for them. And it’s great for us as DBs, there’s a level of competition we need to help us get to where we want to be.”
Peyton O’Leary is a second-year player who appeared in one game in 2021. At 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, the Byfield (Mass.) Governor’s Academy walk-on already has some size that’s prototypical of a player at his position.
Sainristil isn’t the only player who mentioned O’Leary standing out in fall camp. Two weeks ago, we asked Ronnie Bell which receiver will surprise fans the most, expecting to hear a name like Andrel Anthony or Darrius Clemons. Nope — it was O’Leary who got the nod from the standout fifth-year receiver.
”I wouldn’t be surprised if the receiver that surprises people this year is Peyton…
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