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South Carolina RB Rocket Sanders declares for 2025 NFL Draft

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp12/19/24
South Carolina RB Rocket Sanders delivers a stiffarm against Wofford (C.J. Driggers/GamecockCentral).
South Carolina RB Rocket Sanders delivers a stiffarm against Wofford (C.J. Driggers/GamecockCentral).

Reports emerged earlier this week that South Carolina running back Rocket Sanders would declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, and he announced as much in a post on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

Sanders is coming off a strong season with the Gamecocks, one in which he rushed for 881 yards and a career-best 11 touchdowns. He also caught 27 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns, with the latter two being career bests.

The talented SEC running back spent the first three years of his career at Arkansas before transferring to South Carolina. He thanked both fan bases on his way out.

“To the fans of South Carolina and Arkansas,” he wrote, “Thank you for your unwavering support and passion. Playing for you has been an honor, and your energy made every moment unforgettable. With that being said, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.”

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Rocket Sanders first arrived on the scene in the SEC at Arkansas in 2021. He ran 114 times for 578 yards and five touchdowns, flashing the kind of potential that foreshadowed a career as one of the top SEC running backs.

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He would follow that up with a monster sophomore season in 2022, rushing for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. That season he also showed increased ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, tallying 28 catches for 271 yards and two scores.

After a disappointing third season that was marred by injury, Rocket Sanders opted to transfer to South Carolina.

Sanders handed out a slew of thanks for his time in college in his departure announcement.

“As I begin this next chapter, I want to give all glory to God for his endless blessings, guidance, and strength,” Sanders wrote. “None of this would be possible without his grace, and I am eternally grateful for his presence in my life.

“To my mom, brothers and family — thank you for being my rock. Your unconditional love and support have guided me through every challenge and milestone. I love you all more than words can express. … To my son who is my greatest motivation and my deepest ‘why’ — everything I do is to create a better future for you and make you proud.”