Class of 2014 prospect Elijah Hood, who decommitted from Notre Dame on Aug. 20, has committed to North Carolina. Hood announced the decision via Twitter Tuesday evening.
Former Notre Dame commit Elijah Hood pledges to North Carolina
The four-star running back/linebacker has decided to play his college football closer to home.
USA TODAY Sports
— Elijah Hood (@EHood34) August 27, 2013
You may remember Hood as the prospect who flushed a bunch of letters from Alabama down the toilet. In addition to his flair for the dramatic, the Charlotte Catholic product is a four-star prospect, per 247Composite’s ratings, standing 5’11.5 and weighing 222 pounds. The 247Composite rankings list him as the No. 7 running back in the class and No. 2 player in the state of North Carolina. He currently has 19 offers from around the country and chose the Tar Heels over Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, South Carolina, Stanford and USC, among others.
More on UNC: Tar Heel Blog
Hood also plays linebacker and could be a good fit on the defensive side of the ball in college. He isn’t the fastest skill player, but a reported 4.6-second 40-yard dash for a guy who weighs more than 220 isn’t really fodder for complaining. Still, SB Nation recruiting analyst Bud Elliott believes Hood could be a workhorse running back, but playing linebacker may be his true calling.
If Hood does pick the right system, perhaps for a team slightly below the top echelon of college football, I can see him being an extreme workhorse, touching the ball 25 times per game.
Ultimately, though, I believe Hood should play linebacker because he does not seem to have the natural instincts and feel for the running back position. His size, surprising length (for a 5’11 prospect), strength, athleticism and aggressiveness should translate well to the position.
