Rocket Sanders Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List

University of South Carolina senior running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders has been named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List, presented to the nation’s most outstanding college running back, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced today.

Sanders, a 6-0, 230-pound senior from Rockledge, Fla., is in his first season with the Gamecocks after spending the past three campaigns at Arkansas. A 2023 Razorback team captain, Sanders was a 2022 first-team All-SEC selection after rushing for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. A 2023 preseason All-America candidate, Sanders’ season was limited to just six games and 62 rush attempts after injuring his knee in the season opener against Western Carolina. He was previously named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, which is presented annually to the outstanding player in college football.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives. The recipient of the 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.

The award is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of this season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will once again announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the week.