The pedigree is as loud as it gets — No. 8 overall recruit, the No. 1 corner in his class — and the early returns at Ohio State did nothing to quiet it. Sanchez played nine games as a true freshman (15 tackles, 2 PD) and exits spring entrenched as the projected top corner in a secondary expected to be among the nation's best. He carries first-round length at 6-2, 198, and has publicly buried the 'Freshman Devin' version of himself heading into 2026. Be honest about what this grade is, though: nine games, zero interceptions, and a great deal of trajectory. It's a projection built on elite recruiting evaluation and program history — Ohio State corners of this profile keep leaving early — rather than a proven body of coverage work. The 2026 season is the referendum, and the ball production has to show up. If it does, he tracks as a Round 1 pick in the 2028 class with true CB1 ceiling.

• Cleveland.com Dec 4, 2024

  Devin Sanchez, 5-star cornerback: Ohio State Signing Day 2025 player profile - Cleveland.com