For sophomore cornerback Devin Sanchez, every snap he lines up against star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith at Ohio State's preseason camp is an opportunity to improve.
"Going out there, guarding JJ for every practice, matching up with him every time, that's uncomfortable," Sanchez said Aug. 6. "I feel like you've got to be a real stud to go out there and do that."
Following a self-described "OK" freshman year, Sanchez is embracing the challenging moments in practice, which have mainly included Smith standing directly across the line of scrimmage.
Sanchez joined the Buckeyes last season as a five-star recruit out of Houston and secured a spot in the rotation behind starter Jermaine Mathews Jr. by the season opener against Texas. However, with Mathews and Davison
Igbinosun slotting in at cornerback for the majority of plays, Sanchez was limited to an average of just over 31 snaps across 13 games, recording 15 tackles.
Igbinosun's departure from Ohio State – he is now with the Buffalo Bills – opened a starting position that has essentially belonged to Sanchez since spring practice.
But becoming a starter is just the first of Sanchez's sophomore-year goals, which lay the groundwork for his loftier career ambition of earning the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back.
"That's my main goal," Sanchez said. "And become an All-American. I feel like I can do that, especially with the spring I had ... and then this camp I'm going to have, knowing that there's no better corner in the country than me."
Sanchez credits the confidence boost and on-field development to the daily matchups against Smith, who is coming off an All-American season with 87 receptions, 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Covering Smith has proved to Sanchez he can "guard anybody in the country," which is especially important as he is preparing to match up against each opponent's top receiver this season.
"[Smith is] getting me better, and I'm getting him better," Sanchez said. "He may catch a ball, I may knock the ball down. It's going out there each play, because he's the best receiver in the country. Iron sharpens iron."
bmackay@dispatch.com
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State CB Devin Sanchez gains confidence from Jeremiah Smith matchups
