Arkansas Razorbacks running back Raheim "Rocket" Sanders with the media Tuesday at SEC Media Days in Nashville, Tenn.
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00:00 Clint Switzer from Starcade Media in Kansas City.
00:02 Just talk about the rivalry with Missouri
00:05 and what that's been like.
00:07 The battle line rivalry has really become
00:08 really prevalent on Black Friday.
00:10 And you guys are one and two against Missouri,
00:12 obviously looking to improve on that.
00:13 What's the rivalry been like for you?
00:15 It's great.
00:16 Just learning about what it is, first of all,
00:18 and then just having guys that I know
00:20 that play over there as well.
00:23 Go on the front row here.
00:26 Raheem, I know it wasn't your position, Coach,
00:27 but Coach Loggins, when he was with you guys in Arkansas,
00:29 I guess what were kind of your interactions with him?
00:32 What was he like as a coach?
00:33 And also Trey Knox as well.
00:35 Just kind of what does he bring as a player as well?
00:37 I'll start with the coach first.
00:38 He was a great guy.
00:40 Just he knew offense well,
00:43 teach me some things as well, just blocking-wise as well.
00:45 And then Trey Knox, I feel like he was a physical guy,
00:48 very physical guy,
00:49 and just not scared to do blocking things.
00:52 And he knew the plays, great guy that can catch,
00:57 would love to play any position.
00:58 So I feel like he was a great guy.
01:02 Go here in the front row.
01:03 Chris Farvel in KCAU, 88.fm, Columbia.
01:06 Raheem, there's been a lot of talk at the NFL level
01:09 lately about running backs.
01:10 Of course, a lot of big-name running backs
01:11 are currently unable to get long-term extensions
01:13 for their second contract.
01:15 As a running back, among other running backs,
01:18 is there concern about --
01:20 or what's your takeaway on the whole thing right now
01:22 with the position
01:23 and being able to get second contracts?
01:26 And do you feel that running backs are undervalued
01:28 in today's game?
01:29 Yeah, I definitely do. I definitely do.
01:30 I definitely do.
01:32 But that's not something I'm worrying about right now.
01:33 I'm worrying about me, my team as well,
01:35 and just finishing college first.
01:39 Back row on the left side.
01:40 Dan Peck, ESPN 106.7 in Auburn.
01:42 KJ and Coach Pittman both talked about getting a win over Auburn
01:46 after some close, controversial losses earlier to Arkansas.
01:50 What was it like being part of that win last season?
01:54 Oh, it was definitely --
01:55 You guys really dominated Auburn, injured in there.
01:57 Yeah, it was definitely good.
01:58 Actually, I think I reached my 1,000-mark that game,
02:00 so that was a blessing.
02:02 But I came out there a little slow and got to it,
02:06 so it was a blessing to get that dub.
02:09 On the aisle? Yeah, Rocket.
02:10 Evan Kamiko, Pigtail Nation.
02:13 Back to the NFL, who are some NFL running backs
02:15 currently that you try to model your game after
02:17 and really, you know, inspire you?
02:19 I'd probably say Leonard Fournette.
02:21 Leonard Fournette, definitely.
02:22 Just watching his college film
02:24 and just the way he catches the ball, the way he runs.
02:29 Left side? Noah Groninger, Starcade Media.
02:31 Sticking a little bit with the NFL.
02:33 All the running backs are coming out,
02:34 talking about how the running back position's being undervalued.
02:36 I just kind of want to get your thoughts on that,
02:38 them not getting the contracts they think they deserve
02:40 and how you feel the running back position
02:42 shouldn't be undervalued.
02:44 I feel like, yeah, it's definitely unrated
02:45 when it comes down to that.
02:47 I feel like they definitely should be getting paid more.
02:49 But like I said to him, I'm worrying about
02:51 what I got in front of me, and that's college.
02:54 Go back in the back row.
02:56 I'd love to know your goals for this season,
02:58 things that you've been working on, elements of your game
03:00 that you really want to improve going into this year.
03:02 Yeah, actually, I worked on -- started working on my balance.
03:06 Just starting to be even more patient than where I am
03:08 and letting everything develop.
03:10 And just being a leader, being a big leader,
03:13 and being able to talk to the offensive line
03:16 so I can get the protection down,
03:18 so I can get out for a pass or whatnot.
03:20 Being from Florida, what appealed to you from Arkansas?
03:24 Say it again?
03:25 Being from Florida, what made you go to Arkansas?
03:27 What appealed to you?
03:29 Actually, I wanted to be far from family
03:31 so I can come home, and they gave me the compliments.
03:33 But just being far is a great thing
03:37 just because I'm on my own, you know,
03:40 and just adapting to new things and meeting new people.
03:43 Right here in the front row.
03:44 All right, we'll stay back there, then come front.
03:47 You mentioned taking on more of a leadership role this season.
03:49 What has that been like?
03:51 Has the dynamic changed between you and the offensive line?
03:54 Do you feel more confident speaking up
03:55 and telling them where they need to be?
03:56 Yeah, very comfortable, and I feel like the strength staff
03:59 got us like that just by worrying about the little things.
04:03 On the right side.
04:04 Yeah, Rocket, Courtney Mims, Pigtrail Nation.
04:07 Sam talked about you bulking up a bit.
04:09 Landon Jackson walked in here,
04:10 and he's gained, like, 50 pounds of great weight.
04:13 What has been different for you guys this offseason?
04:16 And credit to the new strength and conditioning coach, right?
04:19 Yeah, been different was just the little things,
04:21 like touching the line, you know what I mean,
04:23 and just giving us things that if we late,
04:26 you know what I mean, just preparing us to,
04:29 you know, become men,
04:31 and I feel like that's helped me as well as a leader.
04:34 Front row.
04:36 So you mentioned looking forward to this upcoming season.
04:38 You guys have a new offensive coordinator in Dan Enos,
04:40 and KJ was in here earlier, and he said you guys
04:42 are running a more pro-style offense,
04:43 and I just want to ask, how do you think your role
04:46 in this offense will differ
04:48 than it was under Ken O'Brien last year?
04:51 Just probably going out for routes more,
04:53 and like I said, that's coming with me
04:54 learning the pass pro and the running backs as well.
04:57 That's behind -- that's in my room,
05:00 just learning the pass pro, I feel like that's going to help
05:02 me out because he's the type of guy,
05:04 offensive coordinator that want the running backs to get out,
05:07 and he's the type of guy that want KJ
05:08 to hit the check downs as well.
05:11 Left side.
05:12 Sierra Clark, THV11, and Little Rock.
05:14 Last year after one of your games
05:15 that you did really well, and Coach Pittman was like,
05:17 that's why his mama named him Rocket.
05:19 Obviously your name really isn't Rocket, it's Ravine,
05:21 but where did the nickname Rocket Sanders come from?
05:24 Actually for a little, so I started playing football
05:27 around like six, seven,
05:28 and it came from me running pass on a couple times,
05:33 and my coach named me that after that,
05:35 and the team was called Rockets as well.
05:39 Back on the aisle here. Yeah, Rocket.
05:41 Earlier today, Sam Pittman talked a lot about
05:43 the small things in finishing off the games.
05:45 What are some of the ways that you've been looking
05:46 to improve your game in the offseason
05:48 to focus on the small parts of finishing the game,
05:51 especially as a running back?
05:52 Just finishing the rep, you know what I mean?
05:54 Just finishing a rep like it's my last rep,
05:56 and just having to pour that in to the guys as well,
05:59 and the new guys is really all about communication,
06:02 you know what I mean?
06:03 For myself, it's just like I said,
06:04 just pouring in and always look back
06:07 to what I ain't have before.
06:11 What's Coach Pittman's style on the practice field?
06:14 Say it again?
06:15 What's Coach Pittman's style on the practice field?
06:16 As in, like, dressing, are you saying?
06:18 How does he handle himself?
06:20 We see him in here, and he has a great personality.
06:21 He seems like a nice guy. What's he like?
06:23 I wouldn't say he's not a yelling guy.
06:24 He's actually funny, but it's crazy,
06:26 because we'll go crazy for a period, full speed,
06:31 and then he'll come and whisper in my ear
06:32 and say something funny about something
06:34 I never heard before or something back in the day
06:36 about how he played different positions,
06:38 and I was like, "Hey, can I see some film?"
06:40 He'd say, "No, I don't got any film,
06:41 but just know I was him."
06:43 [laughter]
06:46 Left side.
06:47 Coach Williams, new defense coordinator,
06:49 he was at Auburn previously
06:52 and was known for his DJing and rap skills.
06:55 Have you gotten to see any of that since he arrived on campus?
06:58 No, but what's so crazy is he recruited me at Auburn, right?
07:02 And I didn't know he was a defensive coordinator,
07:05 so the whole time I was talking to him,
07:06 and he was recruiting me for defense,
07:08 and I didn't even know it.
07:13 Yeah, but he know Coach Smith not having that.
07:16 [laughter]
07:19 We have two more minutes and a good talker.
07:20 Anybody else?
07:22 Okay.
07:24 You left the Liberty Bowl early in the game
07:27 with an injury against Kansas, 55 to 53, three overtimes.
07:32 I mean, had you played the rest of the way,
07:33 you probably might still be tired from that game,
07:36 and what was it like watching the rest of your teammates
07:39 go through that and pick up that bowl game victory?
07:41 It's definitely a blessing just to --
07:44 they can show their talent,
07:46 because I feel like the bowl game is to see what we got,
07:48 because that's still -- that's going on to the next season,
07:51 so I feel like a lot of guys show their talent,
07:53 definitely at the running back position.
07:57 Final question right here.
07:58 AP Stidham, AP and Kelly, as we see at Syndicated Radio.
08:01 Rocket, the new defensive coordinator,
08:04 what's going to be different about that?
08:05 You're trying to, you know, get in the upper echelon
08:08 of the SEC Western Division,
08:09 so what's going to be different about your defense?
08:13 I feel like just bringing the energy up front, you know,
08:17 just the defensive line
08:18 and just the back end of it, too, as well.