South Carolina Does Constitute Family Decision for Sanders

Even the most geographically challenged fans can see how this allows former Razorback to spend more time with his son, provide for future

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Dec 13, 2023 1:29 PM EST
Original:
Dec 13, 2023

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The second it popped up in social media it was easy to hear a collective whine from certain segments of Razorback fans.
"But, but, but, but, South Carolina isn't in Florida!"

A week or so ago, it was written here that if Raheim "Rocket" Sanders made a grown man decision to transfer somewhere that lets him spend more time with his son, then Razorback fans need to let it go. Despite the argument against it, Sanders has done the right thing.

Going to Columbia, South Carolina is a win-win for him because it puts him with a familiar face who knows his strengths and weaknesses in Dowell Loggains, putting him in the best position to resurrect his NFL prospects for his son's future. It also puts him in position to see his son way more than had he remained at Arkansas.

It begins with simple geography. Let's be up front. No one in the allHogs offices have pried into where Sanders' son lives specifically because that's not our business. Private life is private life. So, for these purposes, we will assume he is also residing in Rocklege, Florida.

Fayetteville to Rocklege is a torturous 1,190 mile drive. With reasonable bathroom breaks and a drive-thru or two plus multiple stops for gas, it's going to take at least 19 hours and that's presuming perfect driving along I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis.

Meanwhile, Columbia to Rocklege will run about seven hours with stops accounted. That's pretty much what players from Dallas face when they come to Arkansas. It's easy to leave on a late Friday morning, get home in time to have dinner with his son, then spend all the way through Sunday afternoon if coaches didn't have anything scheduled until Monday. It's also very cost effective. There's no need to stop to buy food unless he wants a snack, and the gas cost is minimal.

Such a trip from Arkansas is not possible. The only way Sanders could have the same visit is by flying. First off, flights out of XNA are highly limited. Discount carriers such as Southwest don't fly there. A flight this weekend from Bentonville to Orlando will run somewhere between $1,800 to $2,600.

There's also next season's schedule to consider. Arkansas will be within an eight hour drive once all next season, severely limiting opportunities for family members to bring his son along for a game. Meanwhile, South Carolina has eight games that fit the bill, and a game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa that doesn't stray far outside that range.

So, while he didn't exactly end up in Florida, Sanders wound up in the best spot for himself and his family both now and in the future. The only other true option to get closer while remaining in the SEC spotlight was Florida, and no one wants to walk into that hornets' nest right now, especially with a future NFL contract on the line.

So, go easy on Sanders. He made a grown man decision and it should be respected. It's hard to imagine someone else making a different choice in his same shoes.