Rocket Sanders impressing South Carolina players on both sides of ball
Heading into this offseason, Shane Beamer and his staff knew that South Carolina’s running game needed to be improved. The Gamecocks accumulated the fewest rushing yards per game (85.1) amongst SEC teams last season.
South Carolina has since aimed to remedy that issue through the addition of multiple players with collegiate experience through the transfer portal, including Oscar Adaway and Jawarn Howell. Arguably the Gamecocks’ most important addition from the portal, though, is Rocket Sanders, who is amongst the SEC’s elites at the running back position.
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In 2022, Sanders’ strong sophomore campaign culminated in him earning All-SEC First Team honors. The then-Arkansas running back ran for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns on 222 carries. He was unable to follow up on that success last year, though, in a season that was hindered by injuries.
Sanders has yet to suit up for the Gamecocks for a similar reason — he missed the entirety of spring practice after recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. But he has left a solid first impression on his South Carolina teammates, on both offense an defense, despite never stepping foot on the field.
Debo Williams said Sanders has set a goal to replicate — and even surpass — his success before his injury.
“He’s been hurt, but he’s coming back for camp,” Williams said. “He’s my locker buddy, and just seeing him, he’s motivated. He feels he’s got something to prove to show he was even better than he was before he got hurt.”
Another defensive teammate, Alex Huntley, added that he has been impressed by his work ethic and humble nature.
“That’s a dude who came into the building day one. You can see how much it means to him. His care factor is huge, and all he does is work,” Huntley said. “I think he’s great for a lot of guys to see a guy who came in with already a big name, already stats to his name, but he still didn’t miss a beat in workouts. He grinds. So, I love having him on the team. I’m glad he came.”
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Luke Doty, one of South Carolina’s most experienced veterans, will be returning to its offense for a fifth season. He said he admires Sanders’ motivational drive and the emphasis he places on taking care of his body.
“He’s all about business. And that’s what I’ve seen from him from the day that he stepped on campus,” Doty said. “He comes in every single day early in the morning to do treatment, get his body right for the day, and then, obviously, work out. He’ll go do more treatment, come back in the afternoon, maybe do some more stuff with the running backs.”
In his time with the Gamecocks, Doty has emerged as one of the team’s vocal leaders. Doty said Sanders could have a similar impact on the program, especially in the running back room.
“He does everything the right way. He’s the kind of guy that younger running backs, younger guys on the team, they look up to him and they see how he handles himself on a daily basis because he carries himself like a pro,” Doty said. “I think that’s going to pay off for him this year, going forward, just being able to stay out there on the field and have a big-time role on offense.”
