South Carolina’s Rocket Sanders looks to launch NFL career with family on his mind
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders has had a busy couple of days.
The 22-year-old running back just finished up team meetings on a Saturday afternoon in Frisco, Texas, as he prepares to showcase himself in Thursday’s East-West Shrine Bowl at AT&T Stadium in nearby Arlington. The South Carolina running back spent the early morning pin-balling through defenders during the first practice of the week, and now he’s finally able to lounge around the team hotel for a bit and catch his breath.
But as he reclines in a big chair in the lobby of the hotel, it’s clear he hasn’t completely let himself relax just yet. He’s not built that way.
Sanders is more comfortable working out than sitting still. Even Sanders’ South Carolina teammates marvel at his dedication to building up his 6-foot, 224-pound frame.
“It’s something that I want to do, so I don’t treat it as a job,” Sanders said about his detailed workout routine. “I just treat it as something that’s just on the list for the day.”
Sanders is motivated. There’s an underlying intensity to him.
He knows what’s in front of him — namely the NFL Draft. And like a north-to-south run in the red zone, he wants to hit pay dirt.
The playmaker — who was nicknamed “Rocket” during his Pop Warner days because of his notable speed — also wants to bring his family, including his 3-year-old son, Raheim Jr., or R.J. for short, along for the ride.
“I want it more for him, I want it more for my family, too,” Sanders said. “My mom, my son, and then my brothers are my best friends, as well.”
Sanders had his best college season in 2022 as a sophomore. He amassed 1,443 rushing yards, 271 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
But in 2023, Sanders tore his labrum as a junior, and he was forced undergo an extensive surgery.
Sanders was limited to just six games that year.
“You know, 2023 was my adversity year, for sure,” Sanders said. “I went from 2022, thinking I was going to (play) three years and be gone (to the NFL) — but I always say it wasn’t a regret year for me, it was a year that I learned as a man, learned myself, learned just how to be better with God as well.”
Following the surgery, Sanders, a Rockledge, Florida, native, decided to transfer to South Carolina to be closer to family.
Sanders also got to work with then-offensive coordinator, Dowell Loggains, who featured him in a pro-style offense. Loggains, who is now the head coach at Appalachian State, showed Sanders clips of NFL legend Frank Gore when he arrived on the campus.
Like Gore, Sanders has a nastiness to the way he runs. He’s willing to run defenders over to pick up big gains.
That ground-and-pound style shined through in his return to the field in 2024. The approach also helped him build up appeal entering draft season.
“Sanders finally looked fully healthy this year for the first time since 2022,” said Trevor Sikkema, who serves as the lead NFL Draft analyst for Pro Football Focus. “At his size, we know he can generate force and play behind his pads for yards after contact. ... But the question is: How much wiggle and flexibility does he have? (Last season) was one of his best years in terms of one-cut ability and missed tackles forced. Continuing to show he can make guys miss just as well as he can bounce off tackles is what takes his game to the next level.”
Coming off major surgery and learning a completely new offense, Sanders had little time to establish himself in his new surroundings.
But he eventually caught on and finished with 183 carries for 881 yards and 27 catches for 316 yards and 13 total touchdowns in 12 games with the Gamecocks.
A veteran scout in attendance at the Shrine Bowl, whom The Observer granted anonymity to due competitive reasons, said he saw Sanders excel as he grew within the South Carolina offense.
“I think he got a lot better as the year went on — pivotal piece for their offense,” the scout told The Observer.
Sanders says he has chip on his shoulder.
He isn’t sure where he’ll wind up in the NFL or if he’ll even be selected on draft weekend. But he wants to make it to the league, at least partially, to show his son that he played the game at the highest level.
For a running back nicknamed after a projectile, this week’s Shrine Bowl could be the start of Sanders’ countdown to NFL liftoff.
