South Carolina star declares for 2025 NFL Draft
South Carolina football starting running back Rocket Sanders is declaring for the NFL Draft. The senior playmaker announced the decision on social media on Thursday.
Sanders’ message thanked Arkansas (his former school), South Carolina, coaches, training staff, teammates, fans, and his family. He also dedicated his work (past, present, and future) to his young son, whom he called his “why.”
However, like Kyle Kennard’s draft declaration last week, Sanders did not give any clear indication as to his plans for the Citrus Bowl. This week, head coach Shane Beamer shared that Kennard would not hit the field against Illinois and that one other player was “weighing his decision.”
At this time, nothing definitive is known about Sanders’ bowl plans. Most NFL Draft projections include the talented running back. He is mocked in various spots on days two and three of the draft (rounds 2-7).
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During his one year as part of the South Carolina football program, Rocket Sanders was excellent. Following an injury-plagued 2023, the transfer portal addition logged nearly 1200 yards of total offense despite missing nearly a full game plus part of another with a sprained ankle. He also scored 13 touchdowns. The strong 2024 campaign earned Sanders All-SEC honors. He picked up further recognition as one of three Comeback Player of the Year Award winners.
Sanders had one of the biggest moments of the season this year. Playing against Missouri for the Mayor’s Cup, the Gamecocks found themselves down with 20 seconds remaining. Sanders took a shovel pass from LaNorris Sellers at the 15-yard line and bounced through multiple Mizzou tacklers on his way to the end zone. The score proved to be the game-winner and set off earthquake-like seismic activity around Williams-Brice Stadium.
South Carolina will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Citrus Bowl on December 31st. The game will broadcast on ABC and stream on ESPN+.
