Cover athletes for College Football 2015 through 2025- Arkansas edition

2024: Raheim Sanders

The last time a running back rushed for more yards than Raheim "Rocket" Sanders in 2022 was in 2015 when Alex Collins rushed for 1,577. And the time before that was the legendary 2007 season for Darren McFadden.

Sanders recorded 1,443 yards, averaging 6.5 yards a carry and ten touchdowns. He was also a threat in the passing game, adding another 271 yards and two more touchdowns. Originally, Sanders was recruited as a four-star receiver but switched to RB before his freshman season officially started, making his sophomore performance even more impressive.

The phrase "workhorse" is tossed around when discussing starting RBs, but Sanders was the prime example. He tied Madre Hill's record for fastest to 1,000 yards rushing, reaching the milestone in eight games. Six of his first eight games reached the century mark and went over 150 yards four times. However, his biggest game of the season was against Ole Miss, where he ran for 232 yards and three touchdowns.

Here are his accolades for the three seasons he played in Fayetteville:

2023 Walter Camp Award Watch List
2023 Doak Walker Award Watch List
2023 Maxwell Award Watch List
2023 Preseason First-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Coaches, Media, Phil Steele)
2023 Preseason Second-Team All-American (AP, Phil Steele)
2022 First-Team All-SEC (AP, USA Today)
2022 Second-Team All-SEC (Coaches, PFF)
2022 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll
2021 SEC All-Freshman (Coaches)
2021 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll