Jonathan Sanchez follows parents’ path to Texas Southern

HOUSTON – Texas Southern University was an important part of Jonathan Sanchez’s life before he even considered the football team. The McAllen Memorial High senior’s parents Sergio and Yvonne both graduated from TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and they credit the school with changing their lives for the better.

Now, Jonathan Sanchez is planning to leave the Rio Grande Valley next fall in hopes that TSU helps to change his life as well, on the football gridiron.

Sanchez has accepted a preferred walk-on position on the TSU football team. After visiting the campus for the first time on Wednesday and speaking with coach Cris Dishman, the 5-foot-7 kicker committed to TSU.

The younger Sanchez picked TSU after receiving initial interest from Rice University, North Texas and UNLV.

TSU is a Historically Black University in the Third Ward. The school is in Houston’s historically predominantly Black ward. The Tigers play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), which consists of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Jonathan Sanchez appreciates opportunity

“Playing football means everything to me,” Jonathan Sanchez says. “Getting the opportunity to play at a Division I level is a dream come true.”

Pro Football Hall of Fame member Michael Strahan is perhaps the most prominent of more than 60 former TSU players who have played in the NFL.

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“My interaction with coach Dishman was a huge factor in me choosing TSU,” Jonathan Sanchez says. “He’s giving me an opportunity to compete from Day 1, and that’s all any player could ask for. From the facilities, to the brand new weight room, and the incredible stadium that I’ll play in, it really stuck out to me more than any other programs.”

Much like many football kickers, Jonathan Sanchez was initially a soccer player before he turned his focus to football. He began playing soccer in the McAllen Youth Soccer League at 4 years old.

Sergio Sanchez remembers his son scoring 10 goals a game as a 4-year-old. Sergio says Jonathan holds the record for the most goals ever at the McAllen Youth Soccer League.

Eager to kick

Jonathan played soccer until he was 12 years old. He turned his attention to football in middle school. At that level, teams got two points for extra-point kicks instead of the traditional one point given in high school, college and the NFL. Teams got one point for running the ball or throwing it into the end zone on extra points.

“He was the only kicker in all of McAllen who could make them,” Sergio Sanchez says. “He never missed.”

Jonathan Sanchez was considered a kickoff specialist over his high school career in part because his team didn’t kick many field goals. He hit a 59-yard field goal at a kicking camp. His longest in high school this season was 40 yards. He was 7 of 9 on field goal tries as a senior with the two misses coming off kicks that were partially blocked.

“They see me as a kickoff specialist,” Jonathan said. “But the first days of practice I will show them that I can kick field goals, and hopefully get that job.”

His parents are definitely excited to see him follow his football journey at the school were they met.

“As a TSU Law alum, this is a full-circle moment for our family,” Yvonne Sanchez said. “To see my son not only continue his academic journey at my alma mater, but also achieve his dream of playing at the collegiate level, is beyond rewarding.”