Senior Mark Sanchez has always set his sights on playing college football. He’s spent countless hours in the weight room, training with coaches, at camps and, of course, on the field. Less than 7% of high school athletes play in college, but Sanchez will now be one of them. After years of hard work and dedication, Sanchez accomplished his dream and will start his college football career on a full scholarship in the fall at Washington University in St. Louis.

While Sanchez and the Knights may have fallen short of the playoffs, Sanchez finished his senior year with 80 catches for 1,285 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also had 47 carries for 301 yards, three touchdowns, 114 passing yards and a passing touchdown.

Sanchez said his coaches and teammates are a big part of his success.

“A big motivation is my teammates,” Sanchez said. “My quarterback for throwing me the ball, my line for blocking for me and all of my teammates doing their part. And also my coaches for training me and giving their all to me every week.”

Sanchez also credits his family for his accomplishments.

“The biggest motivation is the idea that I can provide for my family and give back what they gave to me—all the sacrifices made, for taking me to my training and paying for it,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said his recruiting process was very slow.

“I didn’t get my first offer until about halfway through the season, and it was just a small NAIA school,” Sanchez said.

Little did Sanchez know that WashU had prepared him a Christmas gift.

“It wasn’t until after the season that I met the coach,” he said. “I kept in touch with him, and he gave me an offer on Christmas Eve.”

Coach Tom Gammerdinger, athletic director and head football coach, has been part of Sanchez’s life since middle school. Sanchez’s older brother, Joseph, played football for McCallum when Mark was still at Kealing Middle School.

“He was a ball boy at Taco Shack in 2018, and that was the first time I met him,” Gammerdinger said. “I started to get to know him better when he came to high school. I had him working with the older kids at speed and strength camp, and he got an interception against the high school boys.”

Coach Gammerdinger said that Sanchez is a player like none other, on and off the field.

“There have been times that I’m on the end of my rope, and Mark has picked me up,” he said. “I’ve never had a player that I’ve coached who’s picked me up when I was down.”

Coach Gammerdinger also pointed to Sanchez’s work ethic.

“I’ve seen him outside this offseason while we’re lifting. It was 37 degrees out and he was running around cones in his off period,” Gammerdinger said. “Some people say that they’re doing everything they can. Well, you’re not because Mark’s doing more.”

Like Gammerdinger, senior Braxton Bishop, Sanchez’s friend and teammate, believes that it is Sanchez’s dedication that sets him apart.

“He’s easily the hardest worker on the team,” Bishop said. “He doesn’t miss practices, he’s first one in last one out, he stays after school, goes to camps, doing whatever he can. He’s one of the most deserving people I know.”

Playing with Sanchez over the last four years, Bishop has watched Sanchez become a leader.

“He’s always there for you,” he said. “You can ask him a question, he’ll answer. He’s always helping out the freshmen receivers and holding everyone accountable. Whenever we’re doing sprints, he’s the guy that makes sure everybody steps up to the line and does their job.”

Standing at 5’7”, Sanchez admits to being at a size disadvantage, but Coach Gammerdinger believes that’s what makes him work as hard as he does.

“He’s not the biggest, the fastest or the strongest,” Coach Gammerdinger said. “I was concerned that he wouldn’t get the opportunities he deserved because coaches look for so many measurables, but he has worked tirelessly for all these things that have allowed him to get this opportunity to play in college. That’s 100% sweat equity, he’s worked for all of that and everybody thinks they work hard. Think again.”

Coach Gammerdinger claims that Sanchez’s hard work beats talent.

“I knew he had what it took [for college football],” Gammerdinger said.

Sanchez hopes to continue his football career after his time at WashU. 

“It’s a goal of mine, but if it doesn’t happen, I won’t be upset about it,” Sanchez said. “I’m using football as a way to better my education and get into a school I most likely wouldn’t have just through academics.” 

Sanchez believes his time at WashU will help him grow.

“The maturity is different in college,” he said. “It’ll help me build more relationships with people from all over the country, not just Texas. It’s also a way to keep me disciplined and make sure I’m getting everything done.”

Day in and day out, time and time again of practices, training and workouts, Sanchez has finally reached his childhood dream. He’s hurdling defenders left and right—on and off the field—and he’s just getting started.