Devin Sanchez Sets Bold Goals for Sophomore Season at Ohio State After Gaining Confidence

Ohio State cornerback Devin Sanchez is entering his sophomore season with a completely different mindset.

After an up-and-down freshman year filled with inconsistent playing time, Sanchez is now oozing confidence. That self-belief has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. When linebacker Payton Pierce was asked about Sanchez after practice on Thursday, he immediately smiled.

“He’s got the most confidence I’ve seen in someone in a while,” Pierce said. “It’s good to have a cornerback that’s confident in what he’s doing.”

Sanchez himself made it clear that the timid version of his freshman self is gone.

“I feel like my old self. I feel very comfortable out there, not being so timid,” Sanchez said. “I’m very confident that I can go out here and play with anybody in the country.”

Devin Sanchez’s Challenging Freshman Season at Ohio State

Sanchez’s confidence did not come easily. His true freshman campaign in 2025 was marked by frustration and limited opportunities.

He appeared in 13 of 14 games and made one start against Illinois. By the end of the year he had accumulated 409 total snaps between defense and special teams. The problem was the inconsistency of those opportunities.

“Last year was very hard,” Sanchez admitted. “It’s more so not being on the field… I played a couple games where I played for these 50 snaps, and then coming out that next week playing eight snaps.”

That type of roller-coaster role can shake a young player’s confidence. Instead of shrinking, Sanchez used the experience as fuel.

Ambitious Targets: Jim Thorpe Award and All-American Honors

Sanchez is not hiding from big expectations. When asked about his personal goals for 2026, he set the bar high.

“I’m tryna go get that (Jim Thorpe Award). That’s my main goal, become an All-American, and I feel like I can do that, especially with the spring I had, going against (Jeremiah Smith) every day, and then this camp I’m going to have,” Sanchez said. “It’s just going out there competing and knowing that there’s no better corner in the country better than me.”

The Jim Thorpe Award is given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. Claiming it as a sophomore would be a massive accomplishment. Sanchez believes daily battles with one of the best wide receivers in college football have prepared him for that level.

Guarding Jeremiah Smith Every Day Has Sharpened Devin Sanchez

Few cornerbacks in the country get the kind of daily competition Sanchez receives in practice. Matching up with Jeremiah Smith, widely regarded as the top receiver in college football, has forced him to elevate his game.

“That’s what I like, because if I’m comfortable, then this is not the place for me,” Sanchez said. “So being uncomfortable with the play calls, going out there and guarding J.J. for every practice, matching up with him every time, that’s uncomfortable. And I feel like you got to be a real stud to go out there and do that.”

Those difficult repetitions have given Sanchez belief that he can handle the best wideouts Ohio State will face this season. He specifically mentioned names like Texas’ Cam Coleman, Indiana’s Charlie Becker, and Oregon’s Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart as the type of alpha receivers he expects to draw.

Teammates and Fans Are Counting on Devin Sanchez in 2026

Sanchez understands the responsibility that comes with his growing role. He feels the weight of expectations from multiple directions.

“I feel like these guys are really counting on me. I’m counting on myself, my family’s counting on me, and then this whole fan base is counting on me,” he said. “So I feel like it’s a big task, there’s a lot that comes with it, and it’s for a guy like me that’s not scared of it.”

That combination of self-belief and accountability has teammates noticing a different player. The confidence Pierce described is not empty talk. It is backed by a full offseason of competing against elite talent and a clear understanding of what is required at this level.

What Devin Sanchez’s Confidence Means for Ohio State’s Secondary

Ohio State’s secondary will face high expectations once again in 2026. Having a cornerback who actively wants the toughest assignments and believes he can dominate them is a significant asset.

Sanchez’s journey from inconsistent freshman snaps to outspoken leadership candidate illustrates growth that coaches value. His willingness to embrace discomfort in practice against Jeremiah Smith has prepared him for the spotlight that comes with playing cornerback at Ohio State.

As fall camp continues, Sanchez will keep competing for a prominent role. The ambition is already there. The confidence is obvious. Now the focus shifts to turning those bold goals into on-field production when the season begins.

For a player who once struggled with limited opportunities, Devin Sanchez is no longer waiting for a chance. He is declaring that he is ready to take it.