Ethan Sanchez

Ethan Sanchez is an American football placekicker. He played college football for the Old Dominion Monarchs and the Houston Cougars.

Early life Sanchez was born to José and Aly Sánchez, who each emigrated separately from Mexico to the United States and met by chance while visiting their hometown, San Miguel de Allende. Soon afterwards, a smitten José sold his belongings and bought a bus ticket from his home in Texas to Georgia, where she lived. They married two years later, in 1992, and ran small businesses. Sanchez was a first-team all-county and first-team all-region honoree.

Recruiting Sanchez was rated as a six-star recruit and the second-best kicker in the country in the class of 2022, according to Chris Sailer Kicking. He signed with the Old Dominion Monarchs in December.

College career Old Dominion Sanchez enrolled early at Old Dominion in December 2021. In 2024, Sanchez played in all 12 games, converting 37-of-42 extra points and 11-of-12 field goals, After the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Houston On December 21, 2024, Sanchez announced he would be transferring to the University of Houston to play for the Cougars, with one year of eligibility remaining. He won the starting kicker job in preseason camp, beating out Notre Dame transfer Zac Yoakum. On September 12, 2025, Sanchez converted a career-high five field goals, including a 52-yarder, in a 36–20 win over Colorado. It was the most made in a game by a Houston kicker since Richie Leone made five in 2013. On September 26, he kicked a game-winning 24-yard field goal in overtime to cap off a 27–24 victory at Oregon State. Sanchez was named the Big 12 special teams player of the week again in mid-October after converting four-of-four field goals, including a 48-yarder, in a 39–17 win over Oklahoma State. He earned the award for a third time the following week after he made a game-winning 41-yard field goal as time expired to give the Cougars a 31–28 win over Arizona. On November 7, Sanchez converted three field goals, including a 22-yarder with under three minutes remaining to give Houston a 30–27 victory over UCF. In his final career game, the 2025 Texas Bowl, he kicked a 25-yard field goal in a 38–35 win over LSU.

Sanchez converted 43-of-43 extra points and 21-of-26 field goals in 13 games played, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention. He was named a first-team All-Texas selection by Dave Campbell's Texas Football, and was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award.

Professional career Sanchez participated in Houston's pro day on March 27, 2026, and only performed positional drills, after which he reportedly met privately with the Philadelphia Eagles. Aside from Philadelphia, he also received "extensive interest" from the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders, and Atlanta Falcons, and attended the Falcons local pro day on April 10. NFL predraft height ft = 5 height in = 8 5/8 weight = 189 arm span = 29 3/8 hand span = 8 5/8 wingspan ft = 6 wingspan in = 0 1/2 note = All values from Pro Day Sanchez accepted the San Francisco 49ers' invitation to attend their rookie minicamp.

Personal life Sanchez has cited his Mexican heritage and his parents' sacrifices as immigrants as a source of motivation. "My parents, they've always taken care of me," he said in a 2024 interview. "They are always sacrificing, always looking out for their children. And they've done well for themselves. They've lived the American dream. They came here from Mexico with very little and they've grown it into a lot. They’ve worked so hard."