Devin Sanchez, Marco Jones lead Top 10 Latino Freshmen to Watch in College Football
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Staff Reports, Staff reports
- August 20, 2025
Nebraska's Jordan Ochoa, Auburn's Elijah Melendez expected to contribute early
It didn’t take long for freshman defensive back Devin Sanchez to make a positive impression at Ohio State. The former five-star recruit from Houston showcased talent and poise beyond his age.
“You know how you see young corners come in and they’re floating and sinking at times while they are trying to find their way, I don’t see that with Devin Sanchez,” Ohio State senior Davison Igbinosun said. “He seems poised for big time moments.”
Igbinosun was a Freshman All-American at Ole Miss before transferring to Ohio State. He knows what a star freshman defensive back looks like. Sanchez was the top rated cornerback in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports, which rated him the No. 5 recruit overall.
Devin Sanchez was named to On3’s Freshman All-America team. Our Esquina’s 2024 Latino High School Football Player of the Year leads our list of 10 Freshmen to Watch in college football in 2025. He and Texas A&M defensive end Marco Jones were named Freshman All-Americans.
Below are 10 Latino freshmen to watch during the 2025 college football season:
Devin Sanchez adds muscle
No. 1 Devin Sanchez, DB Ohio State
Devin Sanchez, Our Esquina’s Latino High School Football Player of the Year in 2024, was one of the top recruits in the Class of 2025. He has added about 15 pounds of muscle and is now at 198 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame.
Sanchez, who is the No. 3 cornerback behind the two starters, graduated early from Houston’s North Shore High and joined the defending national champions in the spring semester. He is expected to be a major part of the defensive rotation and contribute on special teams immediately against Texas. Don’t be surprised if the former 5-Star makes an impact right away for the Buckeyes.
No. 2 Jordan Ochoa, LB Nebraska
Redshirt freshman Jordan Ochoa has put himself in great position to play a key role for the Huskers this season.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker has drawn raves in fall camp. He made his collegiate debut in the Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College, and now he’s ready to go after Big Ten quarterbacks.
Marco Jones gets after QBs
No. 3 Marco Jones, DL Texas A&M
Marco Jones, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound edge rusher, was one of two Latinos named to the On3 Preseason Freshman All-America Team. More impressively, Texags, the foremost authority on Texas A&M football, named the true freshman No. 21 on its list of Top 25 Aggies heading into the season.
Jones, an early enrollee, was credited with five sacks during the Aggies’ Maroon & White spring game. Texas A&M coach Mike Elko has said he considered Jones the top defensive lineman in the Class of 2025.
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No. 4 Elijah Melendez, LB Auburn
Elijah Melendez, a 4-Star recruit from Kissimmee, Fla., was arguably the No. 2 ranked Latino football recruit in the Class of 2025. He graduated early and enrolled at Auburn in January, and he has made a strong impression.
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze recently noted that Melendez is in the middle of the hunt for a spot as a starter or backup behind veteran linebackers Robert Woodyard and Demarcus Riddick.
“Heck, I don’t know the difference between the ones and the twos,” Freeze told Auburn beat writers. “As a matter of fact, they switch every day who goes out there first and who goes out there second. …
“(Elijah Melendez) and (Bryce Deas) and (Xavier Atkins) and (Caleb Wheatland), those six guys have kind of been interchangeable. They are rotating in and out no matter what group runs out there first.”
Underrated Jadyn Ramos
No. 5 Jadyn Ramos, DL USC
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive lineman appears to have been extremely underrated as a 3-star recruit out of Conroe, Texas, in the Class of 2025.
Even though he didn’t join the Trojans until the summer, Jadyn Ramos’ pass-rushing abilities have drawn raves. Don’t be surprised if Ramos shines in pass-rushing situations.
No. 6. Isaiah Garcia, OT Utah
Redshirt freshman Isaiah Garcia is the backup left tackle on one of the best offensive lines in college football. He’s behind redshirt sophomore Caleb Lomu, a likely NFL pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder from Magna, Utah, was a 4-Star recruit and the top recruit in Utah in the Class of 2024. He appeared in two games in 2024 for the Utes. He may be a year away from making major contributions for the Utes, but he’s ready to step up if injuries hit Utah’s loaded offensive line.
No. 7. Peter Gonzalez WR Penn State
Peter Gonzalez was expected to contribute to the Nittany Lions last year as a true freshman, but an undisclosed injury ended his season before he even took a snap.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder from Pittsburgh is ready to contribute this season. He’s the son of former Pitt quarterback Pete Gonzalez, who had a brief NFL career.
USC crew
No. 8. Marquis Gallegos, S USC
Marquis Gallegos, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound redshirt freshman from nearby North Hollywood, has drawn early praise in fall camp. He will have plenty of competition in USC’s safety room.
USC brought in NC State transfer Bishop Fitzgerald and Notre Dame transfer Kennedy Urlacher from the transfer portal. The former 4-star recruit from the Class of 2024 saw action in one game as a true freshman. He will contribute on special teams and compete for time at safety as he begins to make his mark in the Big Ten this year.
No. 9 Trestin Castro, CB USC
Trestin Castro is one of a quartet of Latino freshmen who could see playing time along the USC defense. The 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back is vying for playing time this season.
Castro graduated early from Upland (Calif.) High and enrolled in the spring. He has impressed this fall.
No. 10 Gus Cordova, DT USC
Gus Cordova is another underrated three-star recruit from Texas who could be called upon to contribute early as a true freshman for the Trojans.
The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder from Lake Travis, Texas, had 65 tackles and nine sacks as a senior last year.
Featured art courtesy of The Ohio State Athletics.
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