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.

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