Dan Enos impressed by Rocket Sanders’ effort in practices

Raheim “Rocket” Sanders left fans stunned last season with his backfield bravado. Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos isn’t immune to Sanders’ jaw-dropping effects.

“You would think that he’s a freshman that just got here,” Enos said. “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.

There’s little left for Sanders to prove. The 6-foot-2 running back exploded for 10 rushing touchdowns and 1,443 rushing yards last season, the second-most in the SEC and 13th-most nationally. Additionally, Sanders tallied 28 receptions for 271 yards and two scores.

Sanders’ 1,443 yards are the fourth-most in a single season in program history. The Florida native was a machine, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Unfortunately, Sanders wasn’t entirely invincible. He went down with an injury in the first quarter of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory against Kansas.

Nonetheless, Enos claims Sanders is back and working harder than ever.

“A coach told me a long time ago when you’re best players are your hardest workers, it sets the tone for your entire team, and we certainly have that with KJ [Jefferson] and Rocket,” Enos told the press. “These two guys are as talented as anyone I’ve ever been around. They’re fun to coach because they want to be coached and they practice very hard.”

Enos isn’t the only one taking notice of Sanders’ offseason grind. Entering his junior season, Sanders has already been placed on watchlists for Walter Camp Award Watch List, Doak Walker Award and the Maxwell Award.

Following praise from the Arkansas staff, fans expect even bigger things from Sanders this season.

“Bigger, faster, stronger,” Arkansas running backs coach Jimmy Smith said. “I was kind of surprised because, honestly, we said a certain weight we wanted him to be at. I talked to him about it that, when you get to 235, you’ve got to lose muscle. He’s in great condition. Rocket is one of those guys who competes every day like he’s an eighth-string or something like that. He competes all the time, he goes hard all the time.”

Fans won’t have to wait long to watch the highly-touted RB tear up the gridiron again. On Sept. 2, Arkansas will kick off its season in a matchup against Western Carolina.

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