a trusted, veteran anchor returning to steady Western Carolina’s line
After injury interruptions, Aaron Sanez is back in the mix for Western Carolina in the 2026 season as a fifth-year offensive lineman with real value: experience, versatility, and preseason recognition. He played in nine games with seven starts in 2025 and helped protect a Catamount offense that piled up a school-record 5,920 total yards, while being named preseason All-SoCon on multiple lists for 2026. At 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, he profiles as a tough, battle-tested interior presence who can stabilize a rebuilt line—exactly the kind of player who makes everyone around him better.
