Better Know a Buckeye: Devin Sanchez Checks All the Boxes to Become a Standout Cornerback and Eventual Team Captain for Ohio State

Before this year, Ohio State hadn't signed the top cornerback in the class since 2017, when five-star defensive backs Jeff Okudah and Shaun Wade – the top two cornerbacks in that respective class eight years ago – signed with the Buckeyes.

Much like Okudah in 2017, Devin Sanchez (No. 1 cornerback, eighth-ranked prospect in the 2025 class) decided to take his talents from Texas to Columbus, bringing plenty of high expectations and football prowess with him.

How He Became a Buckeye

When Ohio State offered Sanchez in January of 2023, he was the fourth cornerback OSU had offered. That said, he instantly became the most highly touted target at the position for the Buckeyes.

After a few more visits to Columbus, including a gameday visit for the win over Penn State in 2023, Sanchez committed to Ohio State during the All-American Bowl on Jan. 6, 2024, securing the biggest win yet on the recruiting trail for Tim Walton. It was a decision Sanchez had in the back of his mind for a while, but he wanted to do his due diligence on other programs throughout the process.

Two of the major reasons Sanchez chose to be a Buckeye: Ohio State‘s “Best in America” reputation and the top wide receivers he’ll go against in practice every day.

“An Ohio State cornerback, he’s good at everything,” Sanchez said a few months after he received an offer. “You can press, play off, that’s what they like to do. If you can do all of that and be great at it, you’ve got a chance to be on that cornerback wall and you’ve got a chance to be DBU here. There are not many schools where you can call it DBU, but Ohio State’s probably the No. 1 school. Just look at the guys in the league. It speaks for itself.”

Not only did Sanchez have a relatively drama-free recruitment, but once he was committed, Sanchez – and even his parents – were vocal leaders along with Tavien St. Clair for Ohio State's 2025 recruiting class, becoming the strongest peer recruiters in the class, especially on social media.

High School Years

Sanchez earned some playing time as a freshman for North Shore, which won the 2021 state championship.

He was then selected as a first-team All-American by MaxPreps as a sophomore after a standout 2022 season in which he racked up 36 tackles, four interceptions and 18 pass breakups while helping lead his Houston-based high school to a 15-1 season. He also posted a 10.81-second 100-yard dash to go along with a 49.45 400 in track.

Devin Sanchez showing why hes the best corner in the country pic.twitter.com/r5owwYUCKD

— Swish (@swishxvibes) November 30, 2024

As a junior, Sanchez finished with 21 tackles, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and 11 pass breakups. He also ran a 10.69-second 100 and a 21.73-second 200 that year.

Heading into his final high school season, Sanchez participated in the Flight Skills DB retreat, one that includes both NFL, college and high school defensive backs. The Texas product was so good that some participants thought he was already in the NFL, according to 247Sports.

“One of our favorite stories coming out of the summer months has to do with Devin Sanchez being mistaken for an NFL cornerback at the Flight Skillz DB retreat, which featured recent first-round picks like Christian Gonzalez and Jeff Okudah. After working out the first day, a few pros asked Sanchez which team he played for. Sanchez replied, "North Shore." The group was stunned.

Sanchez, who ranks as the No. 1 corner in the Top247, is a new-age perimeter defender with an exceptional blend of length (6-foot-2) and speed (21.73 seconds in the 200-meter dash). He's also got plenty of bounce, which was on full display at Overtimes' annual OT7 Championship. Sanchez made a trio of acrobatic interceptions over the course of the three-day tournament, oftentimes climbing what looked to be an imaginary ladder.

Sanchez is the son of two former UTEP athletes as his mother ran track for the Miners while dad was a member of the football team.

As a senior, Sanchez was a do-it-all cornerback and return man while also logging snaps at wide receiver for North Shore.

Ohio State CB commit Devin Sanchez (@Devin2416) has an IN-GAME ATHLETICISM (IGA) Score of 90.3 which is higher than the average NFL cornerback when they were in high school. #IGAScore #GoBucks

https://t.co/UFKB2eWAzC pic.twitter.com/VzaUYtwwcu

— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) January 27, 2024

Immediate Impact

While the departure of Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock opens two starting spots at cornerback for the Silver Bullets, Davison Igbinosun and Jermaine Mathews Jr. will likely take the top two spots on the cornerback depth chart entering the season. That said, even with returnees such as Lorenzo Styles Jr., Aaron Scott Jr. and Bryce West, Sanchez has the talent and tools to compete for playing time immediately. It also helps that he joined the team for the College Football Playoff run as an early enrollee, not only practicing with the Buckeyes but getting familiar with the college game, too.

Whether he's on the field or not, Sanchez will make an immediate impact for the Buckeyes because of the type of person and player he is, on and off the field.

“He fit the culture we’re looking for,” Walton told Eleven Warriors in the week leading up to the national championship game. “We have a great group of guys here and we try to bring guys in that already fit the mold of what we have established here. We saw that in him from day one, the way his parents raised him, the foundation he has for work ethic, honesty, talent and love for the game. Those things really fit what we’re looking for. And he’s about his business. He’ll be a great addition and fit in with the guys that we have here.”

Long-Term Impact

While a move to the slot as a freshman is possible with Igbinosun and Mathews leading the depth chart on the outside, Sanchez's future will be primarily played as an outside cornerback. His 6-foot-2 frame and length are ideal for a top-tier cornerback and Sanchez adds to his profile by displaying keen awareness in coverage and excellent closing speed, the attributes that help model a No. 1 cornerback.

The five-star prospect could thrive in any defensive scheme, but Sanchez has the physical traits necessary to be an elite man-to-man cornerback. He has exceptional anticipation when it comes to reading quarterbacks' eyes and wide receivers' routes.

Whether he receives a lot of snaps in year one or not, expect Sanchez to be a starting cornerback on the outside for Ohio State in 2026. Sanchez also seems likely to be a team captain by the time he leaves Columbus, and if things go as expcted, that will be paired with at least one season as an All-American before he takes his talents to the NFL.

Player Comparison: Jeff Okudah

Sanchez and Okudah are not only both from Texas, as mentioned earlier, but they are the highest-ranked defensive backs – or at least among recruits who actually played the position in Columbus because Ted Ginn Jr. is technically the top-ranked defensive back recruit – to commit to Ohio State since 2000.

work!!! https://t.co/jPcjkTeGTI

— Devin Sanchez (@Devin2416) July 6, 2024

Okudah became the second Ohio State cornerback to earn unanimous All-American honors in 2019, a season in which he totaled 35 tackles (one for loss), three interceptions, nine passes defended and two forced fumbles. While he only started 15 times in 41 games, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound cornerback notched 84 tackles (one for loss), three interceptions, 18 passes defended, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in three seasons with the Buckeyes before forgoing his senior season and becoming the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Sanchez’s Ohio State career would be an undeniable success if he can achieve similar results in Columbus as Okudah.