Tyson Sanford

Position:
Cornerback
Height:
5-11
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Suwanee, Ga.

2026: Incoming cornerback … enrolled at Duke in January 2026.

PRIOR TO DUKE: Lettered four seasons at Peachtree Ridge under head coach Matt Helmerich … rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com … in final campaign, tallied 20 tackles, one INT, one caused fumble, one blocked kick and eight PBUs … as a junior, booked 30 tackles, two INTs, one caused fumble, one fumble recovery, 11 PBUs and one blocked field goal … during sophomore season, carded 35 tackles, one INT, two caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three PBUs and one blocked punt en route to all-region honors … earned one additional varsity letter as a member of the track & field program, running primarily the 100 and 200 meters, qualifying for the state meet in the 100 as a sophomore … a competitive runner since age eight, claiming six state championships and placing within the national top 10 a combined four times in the 100, 200 and 400 meters.

PERSONAL: Son of Tiffany and Jamael Sanford … father was a three-year letterman (1996-97-98) with the Augustana football program, helping the Vikings to the 1997 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championship … grandfather, Jimmy Smith, was a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association and Academic All-America who led the 1970 Mesa Community College football team to a 10-0 season and a spot in the national championship game before playing at Missouri (1971-72) and Northern Arizona, where he was a Little All-America selection in 1973 … great uncle Claude “Buddy” Young was an All-America at Illinois as a freshman before being drafted into the Navy. Upon his return to Illinois, he helped the Illini win the 1946 Big Ten title and 1947 Rose Bowl against UCLA, where he earned Co-MVP honors, in addition to claiming NCAA titles in the 100 and 220-yard dashes and tying the world record for the 45 and 60-yard dashes. He played 10 years of pro football and was the first Baltimore Colt to have his number retired prior to his induction into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame and Illinois Hall of Fame.