Sep 2, 2023; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Raheim Sanders (5) returns to the sidelines after losing his helmet on the previous play in the second quarter against the Western Carolina Catamounts at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Raheim Sanders RB South Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Raheim Sanders RB South Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/30/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (86%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.6 DOB: 06/08/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | |
| Last Updated: 09/30/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (86%*) | |
| Age: 22.6 DOB: 06/08/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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85% |
| Break Tackles: |
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78% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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67% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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41% |
| Run Blocking: |
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50% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#140
Position rank:
#13
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| College Games: 43 College Snaps: 1580 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 93/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zach Charbonnet - UCLA |
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73% |
| Carson Steele - UCLA |
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72% |
| Isaiah Spiller - Texas A&M |
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70% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Raheim "Rocket" Sanders, born June 8th, 2002, in Rockledge, FL, launched his gridiron journey at Rockledge High School under head coach Wayne Younger. Sanders showcased versatility and athleticism not only on the football field, playing running back, wide receiver, and linebacker, but also as a three-sport star; he was formidable on the basketball court and showcased his speed on the track, running the 100m dash. However, football was where he truly shined, earning a 4-star recruit status by 247 Sports. With interest from football powerhouses like Florida State, Auburn, and Oklahoma, Sanders ultimately committed to Arkansas, enrolling in January 2021.In his freshman year (2021) with the Razorbacks, Sanders made a noticeable impact. He participated in 13 games, recording a respectable 578 yards on 114 carries, boasting a 5.1 yards per carry average, and found the end zone 5 times. As a receiver, he chalked up 11 receptions for 109 yards. This performance secured him the 2021 SEC All-Freshman honors by the coaches. By 2022, Sanders was a force to be reckoned with. He started in 12 games, amassing an impressive 1,449 yards on 221 attempts, yielding an outstanding average of 6.6 yards per carry, and punching in 10 touchdowns. His hands also proved valuable in the passing game, snagging 27 passes for 248 yards.
Aside from his on-the-field prowess, Sanders' athletic portfolio is studded with accolades. He was named to the 2022 Doak Walker Award preseason watch list, hinting at his rising stock in the college football world. That same year, he received the Second-Team All-SEC honors. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 235 lbs, Sanders' physical attributes, combined with his on-field production and potential, make him an intriguing prospect for the next level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Boasts a dominant frame, using size to overpower smaller opposition with ease. The nickname “Rocket” is fitting due to explosive open-field runs.
- Distinctive running approach keeps defenders guessing, making it challenging for them to anticipate his moves.
- Despite his size, showcases surprising agility, especially in tight spaces; has the ability to capture edges swiftly without much buildup.
- Stands out with superior contact balance, driving his lower body effectively upon contact, ensuring he often falls forward.
- Blends patience with decisiveness at the LOS; adept at spotting and exploiting cutback lanes in zone schemes.
- Employs a potent combination of vision and burst, allowing him to pierce through the line of scrimmage and rapidly ascend upfield.
- In the receiving game, displays natural hands and a strong ability to adjust to off-target passes.
- Consistently resists being taken down, both at the line of scrimmage and in open space, due to exceptional contact balance and powerful leg drive.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks the nimbleness to consistently string together multiple elusive moves; lateral agility in tight spaces needs refinement.
- Pass-catching utility is limited to simpler tasks; can't reliably be deployed out wide or in the slot due to underdeveloped route-running skills.
- Has shown tendencies to gravitate towards unwarranted contact, foregoing open running lanes, which increases risk of unnecessary wear and tear.
- Ball security issues have surfaced; with multiple fumbles in recent seasons, ensuring a consistent grip on the football is critical for his NFL transition.
Scouting Report: Summary
Raheim Sanders is quickly making waves as a top-tier RB prospect, flashing a tantalizing combination of downhill power and big-play ability. This kid runs behind his pads, showing a knack for shrugging off initial tacklers, akin to how Derrick Henry asserts his dominance on Sundays. His early exit from the AutoZone Liberty Bowl certainly raised eyebrows; durability is always a premium, especially when you're talking about a bell-cow back in the NFL trenches.Jefferson's presence on the field, with that dual-threat capability, undeniably puts defenses on their heels, creating those additional gaps. This gives Sanders those split-second advantages, and he capitalizes - hitting the hole hard and often turning would-be tacklers into mere speed bumps. But in the NFL, where it's all about setting the tone and establishing field position, Sanders needs to consistently flip the field. He's got the explosive traits that front offices drool over, especially for zone schemes. But the tape also suggests he's more than just a one-cut runner; he's got the juice to turn the corner and break off chunk plays.
When you pop on the film, Sanders jumps out as an every-down back, boasting a well-rounded skill set that's becoming a rarity in the college ranks. His vision, power, and burst put him in that elite conversation. But it's not just about the highlight reel; the kid's motor runs hot, and he's shown he can handle a workhorse load, crossing that 250-touch benchmark. NFL teams in need of a ground game spark will have him high on their board. As it stands, Sanders has all the makings of a mid-round selection, but as scouts know, his stock will be largely influenced by his performance in the 2024 college season.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Raheim Sanders (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
151.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
20.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.