'14 NC RB Elijah Hood (UNC Verbal)

[irishfan]

For starters, the superior size for Hood is too much to ignore. He's got a solid 2 inches and about 20 pounds on Bryant. Their speed is comparable, Hood moves incredibly well for his weight. Hood breaks tackles and is ridiculously physical, Bryant does not show that in his film anywhere.

Bryant isn't chopped liver, but I don't think he has the upside of Hood. Hood is marginally ahead of Bryant on the composite right now... but I'd imagine by the end of the year, he's a 5 near a 99 rating. The difference between the two is that with Hood's superior size and physicality he projects as a much better player for short yardage/red zone. He looks like he grades out at an A level for all running downs and distances. Between the 20s on 1st and 10 I don't know if there is much of a gap between the two... but for certain situations, it seems like Hood >>>>> Bryant by a huge margin. I'll be shocked if baring injury Hood isn't a 1st round pick when he goes pro... I just love everything about his game and attitude.

All of this. I posted this a couple weeks ago: If you watch their film back to back, there really is not much of a comparison. Hood's got size, quickness, and seemingly more top-end speed. I think Bryant is a stud, but I'd pick Hood over him unfortunately.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

My heart is broken that he won't be playing for the Irish.

 

[irishpat183]

For starters, the superior size for Hood is too much to ignore. He's got a solid 2 inches and about 20 pounds on Bryant. Their speed is comparable, Hood moves incredibly well for his weight. Hood breaks tackles and is ridiculously physical, Bryant does not show that in his film anywhere.

Bryant isn't chopped liver, but I don't think he has the upside of Hood. Hood is marginally ahead of Bryant on the composite right now... but I'd imagine by the end of the year, he's a 5 near a 99 rating. The difference between the two is that with Hood's superior size and physicality he projects as a much better player for short yardage/red zone. He looks like he grades out at an A level for all running downs and distances. Between the 20s on 1st and 10 I don't know if there is much of a gap between the two... but for certain situations, it seems like Hood >>>>> Bryant by a huge margin. I'll be shocked if baring injury Hood isn't a 1st round pick when he goes pro... I just love everything about his game and attitude.

but wait! losing hood is no big deal! next man in, right?!?!?!?

 

[koonja]

Elijah Hood reminds me of Clubber Lang. IDK why.

 

[Irish2155]

Don't think Bryant holds a candle to Hood as a prospect.

Bryant holds his own against any prospect imo, regardless of size. Hood is pretty awesome as well.

 

[stlnd01]

Bryant holds his own against any prospect imo, regardless of size. Hood is pretty awesome as well.

Hood's probably better. But saying Bryant "can't hold a candle" to him might be overstating it a bit.
Either way, I'll believe this one's over when the kid enrolls at UNC in January. If the chatter is true that there's one person (be it dad or GF) holding him in Carolina, that person and Elijah have plenty of time yet to wise up.

 

[mgriff]

Heavy, heavy dose of speculation in here. I think we can all agree they are both very talented, but trying to compare two recruits from different classes/states/competition is an exercise in futility.

I will say that we are so deep at RB, it makes it hurt less, but any time you lose a quality player it hurts.

 

[bluegold06]

Bryant played very tough competition in high school, we will be fine with MR BRyant!!!,,, he is chiseled and Irish!!!

 

[Irish Houstonian]

To be honest, I don't really think we have the down-hill, power running attack to use Hood's bruising running style effectively anyway.

 

[mgriff]

To be honest, I don't really think we have the down-hill, power running attack to use Hood's bruising running style effectively anyway.

Jonas Gray and Robert Hughes would like a word.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Jonas Gray and Robert Hughes would like a word.

I'm sure they would, but the career rushing stat book would like a word with them.

 

[koonja]

If Hood's heart is truly at ND, then we'll see what impact watching ND will have on him this year. If he's so pro-Irish that he's watching their games, routing for them, and is a legitimate fan of the Irish, it will be tough to go elsewhere.

Looking at UNC's schedule, and it's easier than ours.

@ South Carolina #6,
Mid Tennessee State,
@ Georgia Tech,
East Carolina,
@ V-Tech,
Miami,
Boston College,
@ NC State,
Virginia
@ Pitt,
Old Dominion,
Duke.

Seems like a steady schedule, but not top heavy like ours. I know nothing about UNC or these opponents, how do they do this year?

 

[irishpat183]

Jonas Gray and Robert Hughes would like a word.

I'm sure they would, but the career rushing stat book would like a word with them.

LOL!!!

 

[irishpat183]

If Hood's heart is truly at ND, then we'll see what impact watching ND will have on him this year. If he's so pro-Irish that he's watching their games, routing for them, and is a legitimate fan of the Irish, it will be tough to go elsewhere.

Looking at UNC's schedule, and it's easier than ours.

@ Clowney #6,
Mid Tennessee State,
@ Georgia Tech,
East Carolina,
@ V-Tech,
Miami,
Boston College,
@ NC State,
Virginia
@ Pitt,
Old Dominion,
Duke.

Seems like a steady schedule, but not top heavy like ours. I know nothing about UNC or these opponents, how do they do this year?

FIFY

 

[stlnd01]

If Hood's heart is truly at ND, then we'll see what impact watching ND will have on him this year. If he's so pro-Irish that he's watching their games, routing for them, and is a legitimate fan of the Irish, it will be tough to go elsewhere.

Looking at UNC's schedule, and it's easier than ours.

@ South Carolina #6,
Mid Tennessee State,
@ Georgia Tech,
East Carolina,
@ V-Tech,
Miami,
Boston College,
@ NC State,
Virginia
@ Pitt,
Old Dominion,
Duke.

Seems like a steady schedule, but not top heavy like ours. I know nothing about UNC or these opponents, how do they do this year?

How do they get by playing one ranked team? (and first at that) No Clemson or FSU. I don't know much about their talent this year, but with that schedule they could very well go, say, 10-2 or 9-3 and wind up in the ACC title game. Which would look good on paper at least.

 

[koonja]

How do they get by playing one ranked team? (and first at that) No Clemson or FSU. I don't know much about their talent this year, but with that schedule they could very well go, say, 10-2 or 9-3 and wind up in the ACC title game. Which would look good on paper at least.

Won't East Carolina be a tough game? Not being sarcastic, I really don't know.

I think they'll drop at least one, probably two during that stretch of East Carolina, G-tech, Miami, and V-tech.

I see them at 8-4 and this is a very uneducated guess.

 

[cody1smith]

I compete disagree. I may be in the minority, but I think Greg Bryant is a better RB prospect, not better athlete than Hood though.

Why do you think there is such a big separation between the two when half the sites had Bryant rated higher.

I'll bet all my vbucks, baring injuries, that Bryant has a better career than Hood.

Poor bet IMO

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Poor bet IMO

So you want to take it? We will know in 4 years lol.

 

[NDhoosier]

I still consider Hood to be the 2nd best RB prospect in the class behind Fournette. I would be happy if we somehow flipped one of the studs that are committed elsewhere, but I was really high on Hood and I believe he is better than everyone we are now considering at RB: Chubb, Michel, Bo, Starks, everyone. Hood was an absolute beast.

 

[IrishLax]

I still consider Hood to be the 2nd best RB prospect in the class behind Fournette. I would be happy if we somehow flipped one of the studs that are committed elsewhere, but I was really high on Hood and I believe he is better than everyone we are now considering at RB: Chubb, Michel, Bo, Starks, everyone. Hood was an absolute beast.

Basically hits the nail on the head. My statement meant no disrespect to Bryant. I think Bryant has all the tools to be a great RB. And let's not forget about Folston... who actually might end up being the best back of the two.

But Hood's tape screams difference maker and I think he has 1st round NFL upside. I don't think any of the backs currently on our roster have that kind of ceiling.

 

[koonja]

C Shurburtt ‏@jcshurburtt 20h

I’d be surprised if Elijah Hood isn’t committed to #UNC in the very near future. Check @TomLoy247 who is all over it.

 

[peoriairish]

C Shurburtt ‏@jcshurburtt 20h

I’d be surprised if Elijah Hood isn’t committed to #UNC in the very near future. Check @TomLoy247 who is all over it.

I'd really rather not.........

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

Basically hits the nail on the head. My statement meant no disrespect to Bryant. I think Bryant has all the tools to be a great RB. And let's not forget about Folston... who actually might end up being the best back of the two.

But Hood's tape screams difference maker and I think he has 1st round NFL upside. I don't think any of the backs currently on our roster have that kind of ceiling.

I think Bryant has stud written all over him.. going to become harder and harder to find a 1st round NFL draft pick that's a RB due to the trends of the NFL draft, but I think Bryant will be one of the top 5 backs taken in a draft whenever he declares for it.. I really think the dude is that good.. don't get me wrong, Hood is on that level as well IMO

 

[GBdomer]

Plus are offensive line will make any running back look good. I wish Elijah the best but I think if it was up to him and not people around him he would be going to ND. just stinks when you watch Gio Bernard do wonderful things at UNC. hood will be just as good if not better. I still think we get an official.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Plus are offensive line will make any running back look good. I wish Elijah the best but I think if it was up to him and not people around him he would be going to ND. just stinks when you watch Gio Bernard do wonderful things at UNC. hood will be just as good if not better. I still think we get an official.

I don't blame Bernard for switching. He switched after Weis got fired.

 

[fightingirish26]

Dad wants him at ND. Looks good for us.

This is on page 1 lol

 

[GBdomer]

I don't blame Bernard either. He would have been a 2-3 year starter here and been a major upgrade at our running back position. I really think he is gonna be a stud running back for the Bengals this year

 

[jmurphy75]

I don't blame Bernard either. He would have been a 2-3 year starter here and been a major upgrade at our running back position. I really think he is gonna be a stud running back for the Bengals this year

I agree, I picked him up in my Fantasy Football league

 

[greyhammer90]

If he actually wants to be at ND, and we have a good year, I find it hard to believe we won't at least get back in this race.

I mean how would you feel watching the team you wanted to play for on TV every Saturday?

 

[Luckylucci]

THI said that Hood had anywhere between 323 and 348 yards and 5tds in his season opener.