Ranking the top 5 Michigan cornerbacks from the Jim Harbaugh era

The secondary was flat-out filthy under Jim Harbaugh

Trent Knoop | Jul 16, 2024

Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) celebrates a sack against Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (not pictured) during the second half at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Syndication Detroit Free Press / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jim Harbaugh coached a successful tenure with Michigan from 2015-2023 before heading back to the NFL. While Harbaugh is now with the Los Angeles Chargers, Wolverine fans will always remember what Harbaugh did for Michigan and what he did to bring the Wolverines back to a perennial power.

Going back to 2015, another position that always had studs was at corner. Michigan has had so many great corners under Jim Harbaugh that it was quite difficult only ranking five, but that's the task I was set out to do.

If you missed it, I've already ranked the following positions from the Harbaugh era: QBs, RBs, WRs, TEs, O-lineman, Edge, Interior D-line, LBs

1. Jourdan Lewis (2013-2016)

Oct 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver George Rushing (17) in the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 14-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Career stats: 133 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, one sack, six interceptions, one touchdown, 39 pass deflections, and one forced fumble

Jourdan Lewis isn't only the best cornerback under Jim Harbaugh, but he's one of the best to play the position in Ann Arbor. His stats and accolades all speak for itself. Lewis was a two-time All-American, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree, and he was the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2016.

Lewis was a true Michigan man after he chose to come back his senior season when he could've left for the NFL Draft after a great junior season. He was able to do things others couldn't -- like his interception to beat Wisconsin.

2. Mike Sainristil (2019-2023)

Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) breaks a pass intended for Ohio State tight end Cade Stover during the second half Nov. 26, 2022 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Michigan won, 45-23. michigan pass defense / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Career stats: 108 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, three sacks, seven interceptions, two touchdowns, 13 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles

Mike Sainristil was a five-year Michigan man, but he only played corner for two seasons. He started his career at wide receiver before Jim Harbaugh moved him over to nickel. If you just tuned into Michigan football in 2022, you would've believed Sainristil was a lifelong corner.

In his two years as a corner, Sainristil was a two-time All-Big Ten selection, an All-American in 2023, and finished his career tied for the single-season (2023) and career lead in interceptions returned for a touchdown (2).

3. Will Johnson (2022-present)

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) celebrates his interception in front of Washington Huskies offensive lineman Nate Kalepo (71) in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Career stats: 54 tackles, three TFLs, seven interceptions, one touchdown, and seven pass deflections

Will Johnson is bound to move up this list by next year if his junior season is anything like his first two. In his two seasons at Michigan, Johnson has started 16 games, shared Defensive Freshman of the Year, was an All-Big Ten selection, and was an All-American last year.

Johnson shut down both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze in 2023 when Michigan faced Ohio State and Washington in the national title. Entering his junior season, Johnson is being viewed as a possible top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

4. Lavert Hill (2016-2019)

Michigan cornerback Lavert Hill drops an interception against Middle Tennessee State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Saturday, August 31, 2019. 08312019 Umfb 2ndhalf 13 / Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press, Detroit

Career stats: 57 tackles, seven TFLs, six interceptions, two touchdowns, 23 pass deflections, and one fumble recovery

Hill was definitely one of the good ones and it's hard ranking him this low, but that's where we're at. Hill stayed four years at Michigan and collected some valuables. He was an All-American in 2018, a three-time All-Big Ten selection, and he finished his career at Michigan tied for sixth in all-time pass breakups.

Hill could've left after his junior year with teammate David Long, but he chose to stay one more season in hopes of doing something big at Michigan. The Wolverines couldn't muster that, but Hill still had one heck of a career.

5. David Long (2016-2018)

Oct 21, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back David Long (22) reacts to an interception against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports / Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Career stats: 38 tackles, two TFLs, 0.5 sacks, three interceptions, and 14 pass deflections

David Long left after his junior season, and he was viewed as the top Michigan corner during his junior campaign. During his time at Michigan, Long was a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He played in 30 games while starting in 26 of those.

Long was a part of that great cornerback duo with Lavert Hill. The Wolverines have had quite a few of those great duos, and Long-Hill is one of the better ones.

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