5th Round — Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma

 

 
RE: Reaction to being drafted

ZS: “It’s unexplainable, unexplainable feeling. I’m blessed.”

RE: If he believed he would end up in Carolina after recent meeting with Coach Rivera

ZS: “Yeah, Carolina showed me the most interest of any team in this process. So, I didn’t know when it would be or how I would get here, but I just had a feeling that this would be my landing spot for me.”

RE: Insight into his conversation with Coach Rivera

ZS: “He just said basically that he just believed in me and felt like I could be a good player in this league. Obviously, he didn’t know what the Draft would hold or if I would end up in Carolina as I did, but he just thought that I would be a good player in this league wherever I ended up. He just wished me the best of luck and to hear that from Coach Rivera and now be a part of this team is real rewarding and I’m just blessed and grateful for the opportunity.”

RE: Key to his success in turning the ball over

ZS: “I was just blessed with my natural instincts, just my ability to make plays, put myself in position to make plays and be aggressive at times. There’s things obviously I still need to work on and fix, but I was born with the ability to make plays and have better instincts than a lot of guys.”

RE: If he is a risk taker

ZS: “I think it’s a little more of me actually knowing the game and knowing what’s about to attack me than me just guessing every time and taking risks. I had a lot of good safeties behind me that allowed me to do that, a lot of good teammates. So, it’s a little bit of both, just knowing what I’m seeing and having a feel for a game as long as it’s being able to take chances as well.”

RE: If he believes Carolina sees his role as playing outside or inside at nickel

ZS: “I have no idea yet. Wherever I need to be played, I’m ready for it. I am willing to do whatever they need me to do to help this defense out. It’s a top ten defense in the NFL. I want to do my best to be a part of it and be a guy that makes plays for them.”

RE: The impact of going up against a guy like Sterling Shepard every day at practice while playing at Oklahoma

ZS: “A lot. I’ve seen the best of the best every day in my opinion. Shep (Sterling Shepard) is the best and I got to see him every day. So, it helped me a lot throughout the year and I think it helped me get ready for what I’m about to get into next.”

RE: Whether or not he knows Panthers tackle Daryl Williams

ZS: “Yeah, we have the same agent and I’ve known Daryl since I stepped foot at O.U. (University of Oklahoma). He’s always been a real cool guy and a really nice guy and a real good teammate. So, I know Daryl pretty well.”

RE: How he has handled the past three days

ZS: “It has been pretty small. I mean the first day and yesterday was pretty small and then today some of my family got in. It is actually my grandpa’s birthday and he got in about 30 minutes ago so you know I am sure the house will start filling up in a little bit.”

RE: His reaction to being a part of this corner group

ZS: “We all kind of got to take it with a grain of salt. You know I am just ready to work my tail off and get on the field regardless of where I was drafted. If I was the first or the last corner taken, you know I just want to get into camp and work hard and prove myself to show the coaches that you know I belong on the field.”

RE: On what he wants to improve on

ZS: “Just my tackling for one. Being more consistent with my tackling and then my eyes and my technique. Trusting it and knowing that I am going to make plays, that it is going to lead me to plays and just stay true to my technique. Know that I am a natural playmaker so my technique is going to get me to my plays and not try to stress making the play every play.”

RE: If he knows the other corners the Panthers have drafted

ZS: “I played against Daryl (Worley) the past four years so I know him pretty well. I actually got to meet (James) Bradberry at the Combine so I am kind of familiar with those two guys.”

RE: On the type of rivalry it will be among corners and if he is looking to get on the field early

ZS: “Oh definitely, I am a competitor. I understand they are my teammates, but I am here to compete with anybody. The better they compete, the better I am so I think it is just going to make us all better in the long run.”

RE: On him thinking he’s the best defensive play maker in the draft and then being drafted in the fifth round

ZS: “To say I am not surprised would be a lie, but things happen for a reason. There has been a history of some pretty good fifth-round corners in the league. I hope I can continue that streak.”

RE: On Josh Norman

ZS: “I don’t know too much about what went down, but I know Josh was a great corner and a great player. I wish him nothing but the best, but you know I am a Carolina Panther now and my focus is on the Panthers and my team.”

RE: On the amount of contact he has had with Secondary Coach Steve Wilks throughout the draft process

ZS: “He just called me earlier, you know he told me he wants me to celebrate with my family a little bit. He is going to give me a call a little later on and we are going to have a longer discussion. On my visit I was able to watch film with him and go eat lunch with him so I have had some good conversations with him.”

RE: On how he is spending the remainder of today

ZS: “Man, just waiting for my boy Strike (Eric Striker) and my boy Dom (Dominique Alexander) to get off the board. You know I will be watching and tuned in, waiting on those guys to come off the board.”