“I’m ready for whatever,” said new Cleveland Browns rookie RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders on Thursday during his introductory press conference. “That’s they key thing for us. I wasn’t surprised or anything like that.”
Sanders was referring to being cut by the Los Angeles Chargers during final roster cuts, the team he signed on with as an undrafted free agent back in April and spent training camp and the preseason with. The Browns claimed him on waivers, and he arrived in Cleveland Wednesday night. During the preseason, Sanders had 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns, adding five receptions for 29 yards as well.
In college, Sanders spent three years at Arkansas and one at South Carolina. His best season came in 2022 with the Razorbacks, when he had 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns at a 6.3 yards per carry clip, plus 28 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns. After a injury-riddled 2023 season, he transferred to South Carolina for his senior season, and had 881 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns to go with 27 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns.
Rocket Sanders on His Fit in Cleveland and What Excites Him the Most
Stacy Revere/GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Raheim Sanders #RB27 of South Carolina participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
“Man, just watching film of Nick Chubb,” Sanders said when asked what excited him most about joining the Browns, referring to the former All-Pro Cleveland running back. “So whenever I watched him — and just looking at the scheme of the offense — throwing the ball, pass protection, and run game as well. So I feel like I fit in well.”
“I just like the energy,” Sanders said, referring to Browns running back coach Duce Staley. “I like the energy already. He showed the energy today, and I feel like just having that coach with a lot of energy is going to hype me up every day.”
Rocket Sanders on His Time in Los Angeles and What He Brings to the RB Room in Cleveland
“I wouldn’t say the surprised part of it,” Sanders said on how surprised he was to be cut by the Chargers. “I didn’t get cut. I was gonna make a stamp even if I was on the practice squad. That’s my main thing, was just getting an opportunity. And I feel like I got opportunity there and I took advantage of whenever that came. Just head down and kept my faith.”
“I feel like I got it all. When it comes down to pass protection, running the ball [with] power, speed, making someone miss. Feel like I got it all,” Sanders said on his skills.
“Truly, I feel like it prepared me just to be ready for this level,” Sander said on playing in the SEC in college. “Playing with a lot of guys that are [in the NFL] now, I feel like that helped me a lot, tremendously.”
Sanders is the third rookie running back the Browns added to the roster this year, joining Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. We’ll see what kind of impact he can make in Year 1 in Cleveland.
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