Reports: One Year After His ACL Tear, Highly Rated Freshman Is Set To Hit The Ground Running For UH.
Re’Shaun Sanford II amassed over 6,000 rushing yards during a record-breaking high school career, but now he’s starting anew.
“Everything is back to a clean slate,” Sanford remarked. “It’s time to prove myself again.”
As a redshirt freshman running back, Sanford is gearing up to kick off his college career when the University of Houston faces UNLV this Saturday at TDECU Stadium.
Last summer, he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, which postponed the start of his college journey by a year. At the time of the injury, just a week into preseason practice for the 2023 season, Sanford was already making a name for himself, becoming the “talk of camp,” according to a former UH staff member.
Pointing to the spot on the far side of UH’s practice field where the injury occurred, Sanford reflected, “It was just unfortunate. A freak accident.”
Having shown his skills in camp, Sanford is expected to be listed as the No. 2 running back, backing up Parker Jenkins, the Cougars’ leading rusher from last season, when the depth chart is released Monday.
“It feels great to be back,” Sanford said. “I’m excited to play this season. I just want to take it day by day, enjoy the moment, and work on improving every day. Getting hurt last year was a setback, but I try to stay optimistic and focus on hard work.”
During his time at Harker Heights, Sanford rushed for 6,440 yards—the most in Killeen ISD history—along with 59 touchdowns in three seasons. In his junior year, he recorded 2,330 yards and 27 touchdowns, followed by 2,666 yards and 25 touchdowns in his senior year, including a 330-yard game and six rushing touchdowns in one match, averaging over 100 yards in all 14 games that season.
“He’s like an Xbox cheat code,” said Jerry Edwards, Sanford’s former coach at Harker Heights.
Edwards recognized Sanford’s potential early on, recalling his debut in a tough playoff loss as a freshman: “Let’s put the freshman in and see what he can do. The first play, he took it 28 yards, just one step from scoring. We knew then that the next three years would be special.”
Standing at just 5-foot-9, Sanford possesses an explosiveness that could diversify the UH backfield, which will rely heavily on a run-first strategy under coach Willie Fritz. With Sanford, Jenkins, Stacy Sneed, and true freshmen DJ Butler and J’Marion Burnette, the Cougars have a dynamic group of running backs.
“He’s returning to form,” said UH running backs coach Jordy Joseph. “I’ve heard stories about how he was performing before his injury. Now I’m starting to see those flashes of talent again.”
Edwards witnessed Sanford’s remarkable talent firsthand, noting his incredible scoring ability and reliability, with only three fumbles on 766 carries. In a recent scrimmage, Sanford showcased his speed and agility, sprinting for a 70-yard touchdown after a quick cut.
“What sets him apart is his explosive speed once he gets into the open field, combined with his ability to change directions without losing pace,” Edwards explained. “He’s tough to tackle and doesn’t go down easily. He can make people miss because of his quick breaks and strength. Once he’s in the open field, he’s gone.”
Sanford’s recovery also allowed him to add muscle, increasing his weight from 163 to 185 pounds. He adapted to a new playbook following the coaching change from Dana Holgorsen to Fritz.
“I want to contribute this year,” he said. “If I need to wait my turn and learn from the others, that’s fine. When my chance comes, I’ll make the most of it.”
Positioned for a significant role with the Cougars, Sanford aims to highlight his versatility.
“Whether I need to stiff-arm, juke, or push through a defender for extra yards, I want to show I can do it all. Being versatile increases my value,” he noted. “In games, people see me as quick, but I want to expand my skill set to appeal to coaches and stay on the field.”
It all begins at square one. “You’re back at square one,” Sanford acknowledged.