A year ago, Rocket Sanders was coming off the best regular season an Arkansas running back had put together since Alex Collins, the school’s second all-time leading rusher.
Now, Sanders is leaving.
The junior from Florida declared his intention Tuesday night to enter the transfer portal.
Sanders ran for just 209 yards on 62 carries over six games as injuries kept him out for half the year. The other half of the year, fighting through those troubles, his offensive line let him down as Arkansas ran for its fewest rushing yards per game since 2012.
In 2022, Sanders rushed for more 1,440 yards with 10 touchdowns on the ground, a year that saw him earn preseason All-American honors going into 2023. Things never jelled, though, and the Razorbacks struggled to a 4-8 record.
Still, expect the suitors to be plenty and powerful when Sanders does hit the portal considering his first two seasons of college football.
Sanders will join fellow running back AJ Green and starting left tackle Devon Manuel as Razorbacks offensive players who have or will have entered the portal since the season ended.