Sanchez Named to the Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Watch List
8/26/2026 2:52:00 PM | Football
The sophomore cornerback appeared in 13 games for Buckeyes a season ago, making one start in the win over nationally-ranked Illinois.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State cornerback Devin Sanchez was named to the Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Watch List, as presented by the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame Thursday morning.
Last season, Sanchez made an early impact for the Buckeyes, suiting up in 13 games and making his first collegiate start against nationally-ranked Illinois in October. En route to helping Ohio State retain the Illibuck Trophy, Sanchez secured a season-high five tackles and a pass deflection.
He finished the season with 15 tackles, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery in a win against Ohio.
In high school, Sanchez was a five-star cornerback and the No. 5 overall player in the country. He also was named Esquina's 2024 Latino High School Football Player of the Year, was a member of the MaxPreps High School Football All-America team and played in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl.
Hispanic Player of the Year Process
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2025 to celebrate and honor the achievements of Hispanic players, coaches, and contributors in the sport of football. Its mission is to preserve history, showcase excellence, and inspire future generations by highlighting the cultural and athletic contributions of Hispanics to the game at all levels.
This marks the second year of the award. Finalists will be announced in December with the winner being announced later that month.
Ohio State Preseason Honors
Last season, Sanchez made an early impact for the Buckeyes, suiting up in 13 games and making his first collegiate start against nationally-ranked Illinois in October. En route to helping Ohio State retain the Illibuck Trophy, Sanchez secured a season-high five tackles and a pass deflection.
He finished the season with 15 tackles, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery in a win against Ohio.
In high school, Sanchez was a five-star cornerback and the No. 5 overall player in the country. He also was named Esquina's 2024 Latino High School Football Player of the Year, was a member of the MaxPreps High School Football All-America team and played in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl.
Hispanic Player of the Year Process
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2025 to celebrate and honor the achievements of Hispanic players, coaches, and contributors in the sport of football. Its mission is to preserve history, showcase excellence, and inspire future generations by highlighting the cultural and athletic contributions of Hispanics to the game at all levels.
This marks the second year of the award. Finalists will be announced in December with the winner being announced later that month.
Ohio State Preseason Honors
- Phil Steele:
- Six Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.
- Athlon Sports:
- Seven Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.
- Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List:
- AFCA Good Works Nominees:
- Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000
- Ohio State football had 19 players selected to the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000. The list includes a representative from almost every position room at Ohio State including five defensive lineman, four offensive linemen, three safeties and three wide receivers.
- Big Ten Preseason Honors List:
- Maxwell Preseason Watch List:
- Mannelly Preseason Watch List:
- Outland Trophy Watch List:
- Nagurski Watch List:
- Mackey Award Watch List:
- Sporting News Preseason All-Americans:
- Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was placed on the first time while offensive linemen Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld were listed on the second team.
- Rimington Trophy Watch List:
- Lou Groza Watch List:
- Hornung Award Watch List:
- On3 Preseason All-Americans:
- Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was placed on the first time while offensive linemen Luke Montgomery was listed on the second team and Austin Siereveld was placed on the third team.
- Wuerffel Trophy Watch List:
- Lombardi Award Watch List:
- Thrope Award Watch List:
- ESPN Preseason All-America
- Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin were both named to the first team ahead of the 2026 season.
- Walter Camp Watch List:
- Doak Walker Watch List:
- CBS Preseason All-America
- Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and offensive lineman Luke Montgomery were both named to the first team ahead of the 2026 season.
- AP Preseason All-America
- Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was named a first team selection and offensive lineman Luke Montgomery was placed on the second team ahead of the 2026 season.
- Biletnikoff Watch List:
- Unitas Golden Arm Watch List:
- Senior Bowl 300
- Ohio State had 16 players selected to the Senior Bowl 300, the most of any school. Four different position rooms had three or more selections to the Senior Bowl 300.
- Polynesian Player of the Year:
- O'Brien Watch List:
- Bednarik Watch List:
- Manning Watch List:
Players Mentioned
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