Sanchez joins sprint football, still may not start*

The sprint football team announced Thursday afternoon that a new player would join the team as a walk-on for the 2013 season: former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. After recruiting several players from the varsity football team last season, the sprint squad is looking to continue its tradition of raiding losing football teams for players.

“I think everyone here just needs a bit of a boost and a different mentality in the locker room,” Sanchez said. “I’m not just here to give good effort; I’m here to win football games.”

Sanchez hopes to contribute early in the season, but it will be up to the Princeton coaching staff whether he will get the nod to start under center.

“We are excited to announce Mark Sanchez will join us as a member of the Princeton sprint football team for the 2013 season,” head coach Stephen Everette said. “Of course, he will have to compete for the starting job, just like everyone else.”

The upcoming battle between sophomore Joe Bush and Sanchez is one of the most anticipated training-camp position battles in the country.

“I expect Sanchez to give Bush a run for his money,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper said. “But at the end of the day, I don’t think Sanchez can dislodge Bush from the position. Sanchez just sucks.”

However, a bigger issue remains over Sanchez’s ability to play — his weight. Sanchez is currently listed at 225 pounds, but the Collegiate Sprint Football League requires its players to be at or under 172 pounds. Sanchez is currently gearing up for the season by undertaking a massive weight-loss campaign.

“The coaches have devised a diet for me,” Sanchez said. “They bought this sandwich at Hoagie Haven that they said was named for me, and I’ve got to make that last the entire season.”