Specialists Take Center Stage During Thursday's Practice
About Sanchez: Talented youngster along Army defensive front ... could be a regular in defensive end rotation ... could also be utilized on special teams.
2011: Did not see any varsity action.
High School: Three-sport standout at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School ... lettered twice in football, twice in track & field and once in wrestling ... captained football team ... named to all-state team in 2010 ... first-team All-Northern Nevada Region at offensive tackle ... was a second-team choice at linebacker ... one of only three players in Nevada to be honored on both offense and defense ... earned All-North Team accolades from Reno Gazette-Journal ... team was ranked as high as No. 2 in northern Nevada in 2009 ... all-state discus thrower ... qualified for Northern Nevada Regional in 2010 ... named first-team All-North in discus by Reno Gazette-Journal.
Personal: Given name is Derek J. Sanchez ... parents' names are Gary and Brenda Sanchez ... brother, Asa, currently serving as a sergeant in U.S. Marine Corps ... has served tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan ... both grandfathers served in U.S. Army ... major is undeclared.
