Sanchez became the second quarterback to be drafted this year. The New York Jets traded several draft picks and players to the Cleveland Browns in order to select fifth.
Sanchez, a third generation Mexican American, already has a massive fan base from his time in Los Angeles playing for the University of Southern California.
He became hugely popular with the Latino population of the city and even wore a mouth guard with the colours of the Mexican flag on it during a USC game, causing controversy with some fans.
The 6'2, 227-pound quarterback was thrilled to be picked by the Jets after he fell in love with New York when he visited the team prior to the draft and believes he is ready to represent a franchise with notoriously impatient fans.
Many of them were in attendance at the Radio City Music Hall, cheering when his name was read out.
"As a quarterback, that's what you signed up for," Sanchez said.
"I learned how to compete and deal with pressure at SC and in a large media market in Los Angeles, and things are only going to get bigger and better."
Stars to look out for in the NFL Draft
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