Alright, picture this: Devin Sanchez, a 6’3”, 185-pound cornerback who runs a 10.8 in the 100 meters, is about to suit up for Ohio State. If that doesn’t scream “certified baller,” I don’t know what does. The No. 7-ranked player in the nation and On3’s pick as the No. 1 cornerback in the 2024 class, Sanchez is the type of CB1 that makes every coach from Power 4 to G5 roll their eyes back in awe and opposing QB sweat to sling pigskin his way. But behind every star player is an indomitable human spirit story, and this one’s got a heart of gold.

Houston’s very own Joseph “Rock” Roquemore, CEO of the Rock-in-Hood youth community, got emotional on December 26 when he took to Instagram story to shout out Devin’s parents, Deetra and Daniel. “My sister and nephew—not by blood, but community. I absolutely love this family. I’ve seen the sacrifice and commitment you’ve made for your children.” He wrote. And let’s be real, Rock wasn’t just blowing any smoke. Deetra, a former sprinter at UTEP, passed her speed genes directly to her son, while Daniel, a former UTEP football player and current high school coach, instilled the discipline. That combination? Purely diabolical.

Devin’s journey to becoming a Buckeye wasn’t without options—big ones. Oregon, Texas, Alabama, Georgia—you name it, they came knocking. Look, when you are No.1 CB in the nation, you don’t go knocking, they just come to your doorstep with a gift to your mama. But Sanchez wasn’t chasing logos; he chose a program that got receipts on how to build NFL talent. North Shore High School in Houston, where he honed his craft, is already one of Texas’ football powerhouses. As a junior, he racked up 32 tackles, 11 pass deflections, five interceptions, and even a defensive touchdown, earning MaxPreps first-team Junior All-American honors. Yeah, he’s that guy.

Even though North Shore fell short against Westlake in the Texas Class 6A semifinals, losing 35-10, that game was just a blip in Sanchez’s story. The kid’s future screams greatness, and Ohio State knows it. This isn’t just another recruit; this is a cornerstone. For Sanchez, the journey begins now, but the foundation was laid years ago by a family that pushed him to chase greatness. And let’s not forget, this dude didn’t just anchor North Shore’s relay teams; he carried them to the regional finals. The man’s got wheels for days.

Devin Sanchez’s Ohio State Expectations & Player Profile

If you thought freshman dominance at Ohio State peaked with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, think again. Sanchez might just be the defensive counterpart to Smith’s record-shattering season. Smith’s diabolical numbers—63 catches, over 1,000 yards, and 12 touchdowns—are giving fans chills, and Sanchez could do the same on the other side of the ball. His combination of length, athleticism, and ball skills makes him the perfect shutdown corner, the type of guy you build a defense around.

Ohio State isn’t just getting a great player; they’re inheriting a mindset. Sanchez low-key bred for this. His mom, his dad, even his brother—all athletes. It’s in his DNA. He ain’t forced into football by his dad or whatnot, but once he picked it up, he dominated. And the timing couldn’t be better. With veterans like Jordan Hancock and Denzel Burke leaving, the Buckeyes are primed for fresh blood. Sanchez might walk into Columbus and snatch a starting role from day 1.

But don’t get it twisted; the competition will be fierce. With Davison Igbinosun, Jermaine Mathews Jr., Calvin Simpson-Hunt, and Aaron Scott all vying for cornerback spots, nothing’s guaranteed. Still, Sanchez is far from conventional. His skill set and mentality scream “day one contributor.” 3 years at Ohio State and straight to the NFL? That’s not just hype—it’s a very real possibility.

For Ohio State fans, the excitement is real. Sanchez isn’t just another recruit; he’s a game-changer. If his high school dominance is any indicator, Buckeye Nation is in for a treat. All eyes will be on the freshman phenom as he steps onto the field and don’t act all awe and shocked when he’s locking down receivers and snagging interceptions in Week 1. This is just the beginning of the Devin Sanchez era. Buckle up, Columbus—things are about to get wild.