Wake Forest’s Gio Lopez, Carlos Hernandez draw preseason raves

With 2025 college football standouts Fernando Mendoza, Jacob Rodriguez, and KC Concepcion now departed for the NFL, Wake Forest’s Carlos Hernandez and Gio Lopez lead a new group of Latino talent taking center stage ahead of the upcoming college football season.

Hernandez, a senior from Alhambra, Calif., locked down selections on Phil Steele’s 2026 preseason honor lists. He was the only Latino mentioned on the preseason All-American team. He’ll be catching passes from Gio Lopez. The Demon Deacons’ duo was recently named to the 2026 Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl 1,000.

In 2025, Hernandez led Wake Forest with 40 receptions for 611 yards. He also caught three touchdowns. Hernandez also contributed highlights on special teams. He returned 23 punts for the Deacons, including an 88-yard touchdown return against Virginia.

Carlos Hernandez’s versatility earned him preseason third-team All-American status. Hernandez also earned first-team All-ACC honors as a punt returner. He was also a fourth-team All-ACC selection at wide receiver.

Devin Sanchez keeps shining

On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State sophomore cornerback Devin Sanchez secured a spot Phil Steele’s preseason second-team All-Big Ten defense. The former five-star recruit and two-time Our Esquina Latino High School Player of the Year, was the third cornerback on the depth chart for the Buckeyes in 2025.

Sanchez started one game and totaled 409 snaps between defense and special teams as a freshman. He finished with 15 tackles. Now, he hopes for a sophomore leap in 2026. 

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Sanchez told reporters in April that he’s feeling more confident and comfortable on the field as a sophomore. He senses that 2026 is “going to be the year” for him.

“I feel more confident than I did last year coming in the door,” he said. “I was a little nervous, a little timid, but I feel like this year I’m taking that next step in the role I’ve got to step up in.”

Joining Sanchez on preseason All-Big Ten is Penn State’s Tony Rojas, who earned a spot on the fourth-team All Big-Ten defense at the linebacker position. In three seasons as a Nittany Lion, Rojas has started 20 games, racking up 105 tackles, three sacks and one interception. 

Out of all conferences mentioned in Phil Steele’s preseason honors, the MAC conference held the most Latinos. Nicholas Gallegos secured a spot on the second-team All-MAC offense at center, and Eastern Michigan teammate Juan Salas earned a fourth-team nod at punt returner. Kent State’s Joel Cordoba was named third-team All-MAC defense at safety. 

University of Kentucky tight end Willie Rodriguez claimed a spot on the second-team All-SEC offense, while Temple linebacker Curly Ordoñez earned second-team All-ACC defense, and kicker Ramon Villela was named to the third-team All-Mountain West special teams.