Ian Sanches is the newest recruit to commit to play for BYU football. He announced his commitment yesterday (December 14, 2022), as reported on Twitter:
Committed!! 🔵⚪️ 🤙🏾 See you in 2025 cougar nation! #gocougs #Committed pic.twitter.com/QAN5puKBnI
— Ian Sanches (@IanSanches04) December 15, 2022
Sanches is a 6-foot-1 175-pound kicker and punter that preps at Lone Peak High School (Highland, Utah), where as a senior he had 36 of his 62 kickoffs go for touchbacks, punted nine times for 258 yards, was 34-of-34 on PATs, and 14-of-18 on field goals, including 4-of-4 on field goals of 50 yards or more (MaxPreps). He was the only high school kicker nationally to make four 50+ yard field goals in 2022.
Sanches was named to the 2022 All-Region first team and was Lone Peak’s special teams MVP.
Sanches is rated 4.5 stars (out of six) from Chris Sailer kicking, who ranks him the no. 47 kicker in the Class of 2023. He holds preferred walkon offers from Southern Utah and Utah State. Sanches anticipates joining BYU as a preferred walkon in 2025 after serving an LDS mission.
I caught up with Sanches to ask him about his recruiting:
BYU Insider: Why did you choose BYU?
Sanches: I have had the opportunity to visit many colleges around the country and I have been able to feel the atmosphere in various stadiums. While standing on the sidelines during BYU’s last home game of the season I told my dad that there was a different feeling about being in Lavell Edwards Stadium than anywhere else I had been. I knew that this is where I wanted to be. I am honored and excited to be a cougar!
BYU Insider: What other schools were showing you love in the recruiting process?
Sanches: Utah State , Utah and Southern Utah have been showing me love these past couple months.
BYU Insider: What are some of your favorites?
Sanches: My favorite movie is Midway My favorite book is The False Prince I have a broad taste in music but my favorite music artists include: Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, J Cole, Post Malone, and Noah Kahan. My favorite breakfast cereal is Golden Grahams.
BYU Insider: What is one of your greatest accomplishments in sports?
Sanches: Just this past season against Skyridge when I hit a 31-yard field goal followed by a 54-yard field goal and then a 56-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, tying the state record for multiple 50+ yard field goals hit in the game. I ended the season with four 50+ yard field goals and I was the only high school kicker in the nation that was 4/4 on all attempts over 50 yards.
BYU Insider: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Sanches: Some of the best advice I have received has come from my high school coach Bevan Wild. He repeatedly reminded the team “how you do anything is how you do everything gentleman”. This has always stuck with me. I believe that I should be doing my absolute best in every aspect of life.
BYU Insider: Who is a current player that you seek to emulate on the field?
Sanches: Justin Tucker
