South Carolina star running back up for major award
On Tuesday, College Sports Communicators, in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization, announced South Carolina senior running back Rocket Sanders was a semifinalist for the National Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Sanders, who missed or played injured much of last season, is the SEC’s third-leading rusher in 2024.
After transferring from Arkansas to South Carolina, Sanders has posted just under 1200 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns so far this season.
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From the South Carolina Athletics press release:
University of South Carolina running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders has been named one of 12 semifinalists for College Football’s Comeback Player of the Year Award, selected by the College Sports Communicators, Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl Organization, it was announced today.
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Sanders, a six-foot, 230-pound senior from Rockledge, Fla., is in his first season with the Gamecocks after spending the previous three season at Arkansas. In 2022, Sanders earned All-SEC honors after rushing for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns on 222 carries. Injuries derailed his 2023 season, as he was limited to just 62 rushes for 209 yards. After a rigorous offseason of rehab work, Sanders has had a bounce-back campaign in 2024. He leads the Gamecocks with 183 carries for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 73.4 yards per game and 4.8 yards per rush. He’s added 27 receptions for 316 yards and two scores, helping Carolina to six-consecutive victories and a 9-3 record overall.
Since 2018, the Comeback Player of the Year Award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness or other circumstances. At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors, and sports information directors, three college football student-athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
For information about the award, visit Comeback-Player.com or follow on social media via Instagram at @Comeback_Player_CFB and X at @ComebackPlayrFB.
