'14 NC RB Elijah Hood (UNC Verbal)

[Corry]

Is he hell bent on staying at RB, or is he open to other positions?

 

[Ironman8]

Is he hell bent on staying at RB, or is he open to other positions?

He originally preferred LB, but I think he is coming to the fact that RB is his best position at the next level.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I feel like we are just going in circles at this point. Everything regresses into an LB size debate or a dispute over the number of scholly's available.

 

[rikkitikki08]

RB is the only position this kid should even consider playing at the college football level. He really might be the best back in the country

 

[NDPhilly]

I feel like we are just going in circles at this point. Everything regresses into an LB size debate or a dispute over the number of scholly's available.

Welcome to the offseason.

 

[beryirish]

Visiting next weekend

So is it safe to say we will be on commitment watch when he visits?

http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/recruiting/premium-football-recruiting/8694-hood-names-nd-leader


Updated story with some more quotes.

He can't find anything wrong with Notre Dame. "Once [he] leaves Notre Dame" he knows he will be set up. Likes the big picture ND offers. No other visits set up now, mentioned he wants to see Michigan too. He knows he has to get to Notre Dame first. Will have a decision before his season for sure but can't say when it would happen other than when the "moment feels right."

I have a feeling he will. Just my thought.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Welcome to the offseason.

God I can't wait till the combine and spring ball starts.

The threads recently have been god awful.

 

[Emcee77]

Interesting that Steve and Jason are saying that even if Hood commits, we will still go after top-flight RBs such as Sony Michel. Don't think that necessarily means that they are open to moving Hood, but since the 2014 class will be small, maybe it does. But then it could also mean just that the staff doesn't want to pass up a good football player.

 

[yankeeND]

Interesting that Steve and Jason are saying that even if Hood commits, we will still go after top-flight RBs such as Sony Michel. Don't think that necessarily means that they are open to moving Hood, but since the 2014 class will be small, maybe it does. But then it could also mean just that the staff doesn't want to pass up a good football player.

Michel is just too elite to not pursue. Hood can play another position if needed and we don't know, he could be a better college LB than RB, time will tell. I understand with the numbers crunch it's a head scratched but you always leave spots for best available.

 

[Booslum31]

Interesting that Steve and Jason are saying that even if Hood commits, we will still go after top-flight RBs such as Sony Michel. Don't think that necessarily means that they are open to moving Hood, but since the 2014 class will be small, maybe it does. But then it could also mean just that the staff doesn't want to pass up a good football player.

With a relatively small class...they all need to be studs. I'm torn as to whether it's good to tie up a class early (with the possibility of missing better talent later). But this year felt good having the class practically locked down with a month to go.

 

[md_bennett]

Interesting that Steve and Jason are saying that even if Hood commits, we will still go after top-flight RBs such as Sony Michel. Don't think that necessarily means that they are open to moving Hood, but since the 2014 class will be small, maybe it does. But then it could also mean just that the staff doesn't want to pass up a good football player.

It could also mean they are open to moving some of the other versatile players like Folston around if we get too overloaded. Either way I think it's a great problem to have. Good hard-nosed football players that like ND and can get into ND are not found on every street corner. I say pursue them all and see what shakes out for us.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Interesting that Steve and Jason are saying that even if Hood commits, we will still go after top-flight RBs such as Sony Michel. Don't think that necessarily means that they are open to moving Hood, but since the 2014 class will be small, maybe it does. But then it could also mean just that the staff doesn't want to pass up a good football player.

Unless the staff plans on moving some of the current RBs to other positions, how can we afford to overload at RB like this? We're currently projected to have 8/8 or 9/8 at RB/ Z WR in 2014 (depending on where Onwuala settles). Hood would make that 9 or 10. Adding Michel would make that 10 or 11.

Starting Onwualu at X/W WR makes a lot of sense, since that moves him from an overloaded position to one of need. But after that, I don't see a lot of potential to rectify the numbers through position switches. Other areas of need are DL, LB and OL, and none of our RB/ Z WRs can play those positions.

 

[yankeeND]

Unless the staff plans on moving some of the current RBs to other positions, how can we afford to overload at RB like this? We're currently projected to have 8/8 or 9/8 at RB/ Z WR in 2014 (depending on where Onwuala settles). Hood would make that 9 or 10. Adding Michel would make that 10 or 11.

Starting Onwuala at X/W WR makes a lot of sense, since that moves him from an overloaded position to one of need. But after that, I don't see a lot of potential to rectify the numbers through position switches. Other areas of need are DL, LB and OL, and none of our RB/ Z WRs can play those positions.

That's a great analysis, I just don't see them turning either Hood or Michel away if they want in. Like I was saying though, Hood may want to play LB in college, recruit him as an athlete and put him where he best fits when he gets here. Idk just my opinion.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

If Onwuala starts outside and Folston ends up at CB, we'd only be at 9/8 with both Hood and Michel. That'd be an amazing position to be in.

I guess on some level, you have to take the best players who want in, and worry about their position later. Overloading makes me nervous, though.

 

[yankeeND]

If Onwuala starts outside and Folston ends up at CB, we'd only be at 9/8 with both Hood and Michel. That'd be an amazing position to be in.

I guess on some level, you have to take the best players who want in, and worry about their position later. Overloading makes me nervous, though.

That's where my heads at right now. Just keep the positive momentum from signing day rolling!

 

[cyrano]

That's a great analysis, I just don't see them turning either Hood or Michel away if they want in. Like I was saying though, Hood may want to play LB in college, recruit him as an athlete and put him where he best fits when he gets here. Idk just my opinion.

I agree. Whiskey Jack definitely nailed it with his analysis. However, I still think we'll take Hood because he can play RB or LB and we'll take Sony Michel because he might be better than any other back we have on the roster. If you can snag a potential starter, you have to take him, even if it might create a numbers issue.

 

[yankeeND]

I agree. Whiskey Jack definitely nailed it with his analysis. However, I still think we'll take Hood because he can play RB or LB and we'll take Sony Michel because he might be better than any other back we have on the roster. If you can snag a potential starter, you have to take him, even if it might create a numbers issue.

Yeah Whiskey's money when it comes to the numbers and depth chart. I think we all agree on getting the best players out there though even if it creates a bit of a log jam. Depth creates competition and competition creates winning football. We are at that point.

 

[Irishnuke]

If Welch recovers, he will be asked back, because he was one step short of being the next great tight end. He was ahead of Rudolph out of high school, (same). He just had a freaky injury two years in a row, with Tyler Eifert ahead of him.

Rudolph was a 5 star and the #1 TE coming out of high school. Welch was nowhere near the prospect Kyle was.

Alex Welch - Yahoo! Sports

Kyle Rudolph - Yahoo! Sports

 

[NDhoosier]

Welch is a big body that does pretty well blocking, but I am not as high on him as others are on this board.

 

[GBdomer]

If Onwuala starts outside and Folston ends up at CB, we'd only be at 9/8 with both Hood and Michel. That'd be an amazing position to be in.

I guess on some level, you have to take the best players who want in, and worry about their position later. Overloading makes me nervous, though.

I'd be very suprised if Folston moves to corner. Staff is very high on him at running back spot

 

[woolybug25]

Rudolph was a 5 star and the #1 TE coming out of high school. Welch was nowhere near the prospect Kyle was.

Alex Welch - Yahoo! Sports

Kyle Rudolph - Yahoo! Sports

I think he meant Eifert.

 

[Irishnuke]

I think he meant Eifert.

Must have. Doesn't matter. Doesn't affect Hood at all.

 

[KyfightingIrish36]

I think Folston could be a great return man and a guy with almost GA3 speed but with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and line up at slot.

 

[STLDomer]

Quote from Elijah:

My favorite thing about running the football is that feeling you get when you have pounded a defense and the game ends and they are happy that they don't have to try stop you anymore

 

[Irishnuke]

Quote from Elijah:

You sure Eddie Lacy didn't say that?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I'd be very suprised if Folston moves to corner. Staff is very high on him at running back spot

Me too, but he's one of a few RBs on our roster who could legitimately challenge for PT at a different position. If we pick up two more RBs, someone's gonna have to move.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Tentatively scheduled to visit Michigan next week as well

 

[IrishLax]

Tentatively scheduled to visit Michigan next week as well

Kinda doubt that ends up happening

 

[koonja]

Kinda doubt that ends up happening

That means a lot coming from you considering how pessemistic you've been about ND recruiting the last two months, lol.

Just playing! I'm the same way from how last year went.

 

[peoriairish]

Me too, but he's one of a few RBs on our roster who could legitimately challenge for PT at a different position. If we pick up two more RBs, someone's gonna have to move.

^This.

The kid looked like a high 4 corner at the AA game. I think it will depend on how the RBs show up to camp and how well they adapt to the pace of the college game, but if they all pan out how they should, I see him moving over. Just my opinion.

As for Hood... I'm with Lax. Could be a Corey Robinson situation where he visits ND, then on his way to Mich (G Tech in Robinson's case), he calls and says, you know what, I'm in.