He made play after play on defense
UPDATE
Welcome to the club, @MikeSainristil @pepsi | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/lrLAvrLDPz
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 9, 2025
ORIGINAL STORY
This week, Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil has again been nominated for the Pepsi Zero Rookie of the Week award for his outstanding play in the team’s Week 18 victory against the Dallas Cowboys to secure a 12-5 season record and 6th seed in the NFC playoffs.
This is a great chance for Commanders fans to spread the love and show appreciation for the rookie out of Michigan who has been a leader on and off the field for the entire season.
To cast your vote for Mike Sainristil this week, CLICK HERE.
By the way, unlike political elections, you are not limited in the number of times you can vote, so feel free to press that “Vote Again” button repeatedly.
Who should be the @pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week?
Vote now: https://t.co/aSx1vIATxP pic.twitter.com/w9XFSwvJcm
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2025
Drafted in the second round as a slot corner, Sainristil was asked to switch to outside corner early in the season when Emmanuel Forbes was not up to the challenge.
He not only stepped up to the challenge, but excelled, playing an integral role in Washington’s first 12-win season in more than 30 years.
In fact, he was so good that, when the team traded for Marshon Lattimore, it wasn’t the rookie who went to the bench; Sainristil started opposite Lattimore against the Saints and Eagles and will probably do so again this week in the wildcard game against the Buccaneers if Lattimore is healthy enough to play.
Against Dallas on Sunday, Mikey Sainristil was all over the field.
.@MikeSainristil was flying all over the place
️ https://t.co/fQMbxcCqqP pic.twitter.com/2mLghQcCHh
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 7, 2025
Per PFF, Mike Sainristil had 3 critical pass breakups, made 8 tackles, and limited the Dallas starting quarterback to a passer rating of 79.9 when targeting No. 0 in coverage.
PUNCH THROUGH THE HANDS!!!
— pic.twitter.com/keq3EeRW6y— Cody Alexander (@The_Coach_A) January 7, 2025
Gentle reminder that Mike Sainristil has only been playing defense for 3 years and he was a first team All-American last year, named a Pro Bowl alternate this year as a rookie, and is absolutely crushing it at the most difficult position in professional sports (outside corner).… pic.twitter.com/3Di9XcFVQp
— Wolverine Chronicle (@WolverineChron) January 5, 2025
To cast your vote for Mike Sainristil this week, CLICK HERE.
By the way, unlike political elections, you are not limited in the number of times you can vote, so feel free to press that “Vote Again” button repeatedly.
