Jeff Sanchez (defensive back, born 1962)
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born: | Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, U.S. | May 11, 1962
Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
Weight: | 180 lb (82 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) |
College: | Fullerton JC (1980–1981) Georgia (1982–1984) |
Position: | Safety |
NFL draft: | 1985: 12th round, 327th pick |
Career history | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Jeff R. Sanchez (born May 11, 1962) is an American former college football safety who played for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was a consensus All-American in 1984. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the twelfth round of the 1985 NFL draft.
Early life
[edit]Jeff R. Sanchez was born on May 11, 1962, in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.[1] He attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where he played high school football as a quarterback and defensive back.[1][2] He also participated in basketball and track in high school.[2]
College career
[edit]Coming out of high school, Sanchez did not receive any scholarship offers from major colleges.[2] He instead opted to play college football at Fullerton Junior College from 1980 to 1981 as a free safety.[1][2] He then transferred to play for the Georgia Bulldogs of the University of Georgia. His nine interceptions in 1982 were the second most in the country.[3] Sanchez was named first-team All-SEC by both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) for the 1982 season.[4][5] He was redshirted in 1983 due to a broken arm.[6] He recorded four interceptions his senior year in 1984, garnering consensus All-American honors.[3][7] He was also named first-team All-SEC by both the AP and UPI in 1984.[8][9] Sanchez posted 211 tackles during his time at Georgia.[2]
Professional career
[edit]Sanchez was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the twelfth round, with the 327th overall pick, of the 1985 NFL draft.[10] In regards to his late selection in the draft, Sanchez stated "No one ever said much to me about when I'd be picked. I guess my size scared off some teams."[2] He was waived by the Steelers in August 1985.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Jeff Sanchez". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Cook, Ron (June 1, 1985). "At the very least, free agent Sanchez is a winner". The Pittsburgh Press. pp. B5. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ a b "Jeff Sanchez". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ "Herschel Heads All-SEC Team". Gainesville Sun. December 1, 1982.
- ^ "Walker, Marshall SEC Stars". St. Petersburg Times. November 30, 1982.
- ^ "Bulldogs Hold Kickoff Rally". The Times-Herald. August 4, 1983. pp. 2C. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ "2014 NCAA Football Records: Consensus All-America Selections" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2014. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 26, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
- ^ "All-SEC team". Gainesville Sun. December 4, 1984.
- ^ David Moffit. "1984 All-SEC Football Team Announced".
- ^ "1985 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ^ "FOOTBALL". Orlando Sentinel. August 13, 1985. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- Living people
- 1962 births
- American football safeties
- Fullerton Hornets football players
- Georgia Bulldogs football players
- All-American college football players
- Pittsburgh Steelers players
- Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California) alumni
- People from Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
- Players of American football from Georgia (U.S. state)