The preseason hype continues to build for Arkansas junior running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who was named a second-team preseason All-American by the Associated Press on Monday,
The 6-foot-2, 242-pound speedster was a first-team All-SEC pick after last season and has already been tabbed as a first-team preseason selection this year, following SEC Media Days in July. He has also been named to the national Watch Lists for the Walter Camp. Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards.
Sanders is the first Razorback offensive player to be named to the AP Preseason All-American team since current Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow in 2017. Former safety Jalen Catalon earned the honor in 2021.
Sanders ran had 219 carries as a sophomore for 1,426 yards and 10 touchdowns. While making the SEC All-Freshman team two years ago, he played in all 13 games, finishing with 578 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground — averaging 5.2 yards per carry — while also hauling in 11 passes for 109 yards and a score.
“You would think that he’s a freshman that just got here,” offensive coordinator Enos said during a Thursday press conference. “When I say that, I mean his attitude and his demeanor and the way he practices. He doesn’t practice like a guy who rushed for 1,500 yards last year and has all these accolades. He runs the ball in practice like a guy who is very hungry and has something to prove.”
Sanders is the leader of a stacked running back room for the Hogs, which also includes AJ Green, Rashod Dubinion and Dominque Johnson.