Elijah Hood was putting up major numbers for Charlotte (N.C.) Catholic as a sophomore in 2011 and the junior running back is continuing that trend in 2012.
Through 10 games, the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder has 1,989 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns on 130 carries. In Charlotte Catholic’s last game, a 56-35 win over Olympia, Hood ran for 360 yards and four scores on 18 rush attempts.
“Everything’s going good,” said the modest Hood. “The season’s going really well.”
Charlotte Catholic, alma mater of current Irish freshman offensive lineman Mark Harrell, finished the regular season 9-1 and the win over Olympia gave the Cougars the MEGA 7 3A/4A title. They’ll now head into the postseason with the hopes of capturing a state title.
“I think we’ve got a team that can make a good run for it,” said Hood. “We’ve just got to stay solid and play to the best of our ability and do what we’re supposed to do.”
Hood currently holds offers from programs like North Carolina, North Carolina State, Duke, Clemson, South Carolina, Virginia, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech among others. He’s had the chance to visit a few schools to this point.
“I’ve been able to go to a couple of games here and there, but I’ve been kind of busy,” he said. “I went to Clemson, South Carolina, Wake Forest and I’ve been to other games too. It’s a pretty good experience. It’s exciting.”
He’s enjoyed each visit, but no school is sticking out to him and doesn’t have any other trips set up right now.
Hood has always had a positive impression of Notre Dame and considered squeezing in for a trip to South Bend when Harrell moved in over the summer, but there wasn’t enough room. He wanted to get to Notre Dame this season, but it doesn’t look likely at this point.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to get out there for a game this year,” he said.
Hood hasn’t had much direct contact with the Irish recently, but is still strongly considering them.
“It’s a great athletic program and the tradition,” he said. “There are a lot of things there that I can identify with.”
Hood is happy for his former teammate, Harrell, and the Irish’s success.
“He’s getting plenty of good experience with a winning team.”
