Five-Star Freshman Cornerback Devin Sanchez Gains Invaluable Experience Through Highs, Lows in First Career Start for Buckeyes
By Andy Anders on October 16, 2025 at 10:10 am @andyanders55
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The training wheels were snapped off with a vengeance for Devin Sanchez against Illinois.
With starting nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr. out vs. the Illini due to injury, the Buckeyes bumped regular outside cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. to the inside while Sanchez made his first career start in Mathews’ place. Against the No. 10 passing offense in yards per attempt in college football, no less.
There were some bumps along the way. But it was a great first experience for the five-star freshman out of Texas.
“Devin graded out well,” Ryan Day said on Tuesday. “Certainly it wasn't perfect, there was things he could do better. But for a young player to play with that type of confidence in that environment was a great sign. Early on, made a nice play on a PBU and then continued to compete the entire game. So we do need to continue to build depth.”
Five-Star Freshman Cornerback Devin Sanchez Gains Invaluable Experience Through Highs, Lows in First Career Start for Buckeyes
Through highs and lows, Devin Sanchez's first career start at Illinois laid a foundation that should accelerate the development of the five-star freshman cornerback.
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