Adjust and Thrive – Josh Sanguinetti Makes Most of Freshman Opportunity
6/14/2019 9:00:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Josh Sanguinetti faces Indiana football possibilities from a Memorial Stadium stage, workouts over, interviews underway.
Limits?
Let somebody else worry about that.
"I'm trying to bring all my attributes to the team and be the best player I can be," the freshman defensive back standout says.
Opportunity is here for this four-star Florida playmaker at a program on the cusp of potentially big things.
Nothing is guaranteed, of course, not for Sanguinetti, not for the Hoosiers.
But the potential is obvious, even early in summer workouts.
"Josh is a very, very versatile talent who made plays at wide receiver, defensive back and on special teams," head coach Tom Allen says. "He played high-level high school football and he is going to come in here and make us a better football team."
The 6-1, 178-pound Sanguinetti showcased that with Florida high school numbers to rival anybody, anywhere.
And the Hoosiers, even with perhaps as much secondary talent and depth as they've ever had, hope to take advantage of that.
"He's a young man who really brings a great skill set to our secondary," Allen says. "He's a young man who had 24 interceptions in his career in high school, which is a whole bunch from a very good high school program."
That would be University School out of Lauderdale Lakes, a powerhouse team from a state known for producing elite talent. Sanguinetti set the school career interceptions record with 24. As a senior for a team that advanced to the state semifinals, he totaled four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and forced a fumble. He had 42 tackles and broke up three passes.
A two-way threat, Sanguinetti also caught 15 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns
"He's a very good athlete, a young man who has a ton of talent," Allen says. "We think he will be a great addition to an already-talented young secondary that did a really good job last year."
Sanguinetti was more than a numbers guy. He earned team most valuable player honors, all-state recognition and a No. 25 national ranking from ESPN as well as that four-star rating.
Impressive? You bet. It reflects the Hoosiers' surging recruiting. Sanguinetti is one of five four-star prospects in this freshman class. The others are running back Sampson James, defensive back Tiawan Mullen, defensive lineman Beau Robbins and linebacker Cameron Williams.
They are among the reasons why optimism is high that, despite a grueling Big Ten East Division schedule, IU will deliver its first winning record since 2007.
Sanguinetti could have a big role in that, either as a season-long participant, or through the four-game opportunity the NCAA allows freshmen to maintain redshirt status.
Performance will determine that status. For now, he's focused on the training necessary to make it happen, plus adapting to a summer class schedule and everything else associated with college opportunity.
"These last few weeks have been very good," he says. "I'm adjusting to the lifestyle of waking up at 5:30 every morning, working out, going to class, then working out again."
Getting bigger, stronger and faster these next few months tops the priority list. Beyond the workouts, he's "Drinking more protein, eating more, drinking more water and getting my body right."
He's also getting plenty of help from veteran teammates, even those whose names he has yet to master.
"The older guys have been pushing me and helping me with the playbook."
It's all building to one over-riding objective for Sanguinetti and, in truth, for all the freshmen:
"Getting a starting position and winning the conference."
Tickets for the Hoosiers six home games are available by clicking here, by phone at 1-866-IUSPORTS or in person at the Assembly Hall Ticket Office. IU will welcome Eastern Illinois (Sept. 7), Ohio State (Sept. 14), Connecticut (Sept. 21), Rutgers (Oct. 12 – Homecoming), Northwestern (Nov. 2) and Michigan (Nov. 23) to Memorial Stadium.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Josh Sanguinetti faces Indiana football possibilities from a Memorial Stadium stage, workouts over, interviews underway.
Limits?
Let somebody else worry about that.
"I'm trying to bring all my attributes to the team and be the best player I can be," the freshman defensive back standout says.
Opportunity is here for this four-star Florida playmaker at a program on the cusp of potentially big things.
Nothing is guaranteed, of course, not for Sanguinetti, not for the Hoosiers.
But the potential is obvious, even early in summer workouts.
"Josh is a very, very versatile talent who made plays at wide receiver, defensive back and on special teams," head coach Tom Allen says. "He played high-level high school football and he is going to come in here and make us a better football team."
The 6-1, 178-pound Sanguinetti showcased that with Florida high school numbers to rival anybody, anywhere.
And the Hoosiers, even with perhaps as much secondary talent and depth as they've ever had, hope to take advantage of that.
"He's a young man who really brings a great skill set to our secondary," Allen says. "He's a young man who had 24 interceptions in his career in high school, which is a whole bunch from a very good high school program."
That would be University School out of Lauderdale Lakes, a powerhouse team from a state known for producing elite talent. Sanguinetti set the school career interceptions record with 24. As a senior for a team that advanced to the state semifinals, he totaled four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and forced a fumble. He had 42 tackles and broke up three passes.
A two-way threat, Sanguinetti also caught 15 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns
"He's a very good athlete, a young man who has a ton of talent," Allen says. "We think he will be a great addition to an already-talented young secondary that did a really good job last year."
Sanguinetti was more than a numbers guy. He earned team most valuable player honors, all-state recognition and a No. 25 national ranking from ESPN as well as that four-star rating.
Impressive? You bet. It reflects the Hoosiers' surging recruiting. Sanguinetti is one of five four-star prospects in this freshman class. The others are running back Sampson James, defensive back Tiawan Mullen, defensive lineman Beau Robbins and linebacker Cameron Williams.
They are among the reasons why optimism is high that, despite a grueling Big Ten East Division schedule, IU will deliver its first winning record since 2007.
Sanguinetti could have a big role in that, either as a season-long participant, or through the four-game opportunity the NCAA allows freshmen to maintain redshirt status.
Performance will determine that status. For now, he's focused on the training necessary to make it happen, plus adapting to a summer class schedule and everything else associated with college opportunity.
"These last few weeks have been very good," he says. "I'm adjusting to the lifestyle of waking up at 5:30 every morning, working out, going to class, then working out again."
Getting bigger, stronger and faster these next few months tops the priority list. Beyond the workouts, he's "Drinking more protein, eating more, drinking more water and getting my body right."
He's also getting plenty of help from veteran teammates, even those whose names he has yet to master.
"The older guys have been pushing me and helping me with the playbook."
It's all building to one over-riding objective for Sanguinetti and, in truth, for all the freshmen:
"Getting a starting position and winning the conference."
Tickets for the Hoosiers six home games are available by clicking here, by phone at 1-866-IUSPORTS or in person at the Assembly Hall Ticket Office. IU will welcome Eastern Illinois (Sept. 7), Ohio State (Sept. 14), Connecticut (Sept. 21), Rutgers (Oct. 12 – Homecoming), Northwestern (Nov. 2) and Michigan (Nov. 23) to Memorial Stadium.
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