Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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football recruiting ital conversations with recruits like four-star defensive tackle Josh Frazier and four-star offensive lineman Quenton Nelson, who committed to Notre Dame less than a week later. Because of his enthusiasm and his rare talent, Hood could be the type of prospect that helps Notre Dame corral another standout recruiting class on National Signing Day next February. "I want to play with the best, but I'm not going to push hard on anyone," Hood told Blue & Gold Illustrated recruiting reporter Tom Loy the day he committed. "I love this school, and I want others to see why. I'm not going to pressure anyone into anything, but I'm going to let them know why I'm coming here." Hood is ranked as the 48th-best player in the country and the sixthbest athlete nationally in the 247Sports Composite (a combination of all the major recruiting rankings). Rivals. com lists Hood as the top athlete in the country and the 12th-best overall prospect in the class of 2014, while 247Sports rates him as the No. 9 athlete and No. 127 overall player nationally. The five-star back is a player that stands out in recruiting circles and his commitment 10 months before National Signing Day might be something that helps Notre Dame attract more top talent, national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. In the past, early pledges from players like 2013 linebacker Jaylon Smith or 2008 quarterback Dayne Crist have given the Irish momentum that carried them to top-three recruiting classes. "It gives them credibility," Lemming said. "Notre Dame doesn't need the credibility, but it doesn't hurt when you bring a big star like that across the country from North Carolina to Indiana. Plus, Elijah's got a good personality. They could use him to recruit other players in North Carolina. It's such a loaded year in that state." Lemming sees the 6-0, 222-pound Hood as the type of running back Notre Dame has been missing for nearly a decade. He has the combination of size and speed (4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash) that allows him to run through defenders and break loose downfield. "Last year, Theo Riddick was able to do it a little bit, but for the most part the backs they've brought in recently, when they play really talented teams, usually kind of crumble," Lemming said. "They have trouble breaking tackles and breaking any long runs. I think Elijah Hood is the guy that can break out for that long run." Hood is one of three top-shelf running back recruits Notre Dame has nabbed in the past two recruiting cycles. If all goes according to plan, he will eventually battle with incoming freshmen Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston for backfield reps. That trio is considered an upgrade for head coach Brian Kelly, who already has a host of viable options at running back on campus. Juniors George Atkinson III, Cam McDaniel and Amir Carlisle are all expected to still be on the roster when Hood starts his freshman season. Hood ran for 3,309 yards and 48 touchdowns as a junior at Charlotte