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football recruiting cial player when he saw him in mid- Hood's former teammate from Chardle school, especially because Oddo lotte Catholic. Safety Matthias Farley, coached Hood's father and his uncle. linebacker Romeo Okwara and lineBoth of them were standouts for Cath- backer Prince Shembo are all from the olic a generation ago. Charlotte area as well. In total, the "They've got some good genes in Irish have six North Carolina natives that family," Oddo and two more from said. "We've had some South Carolina on the pretty good athletes current roster. here over the years, By the time Hood but I'd have to say Elileft South Bend after jah is the best one. Behis first visit in Februtween the combination ary, he was fairly well of speed and strength sold on the prospect — that's a good comof moving to the Midbination to have." west for his college Oddo said he has career. His parents no doubt that his needed more constar will fit in well on vincing. His goal for Notre Dame's camhis most recent trip pus. Hood holds a 3.6 in April was to show grade-point average them why going to and is currently workNotre Dame would be ing to finish some of Hood ran for 3,309 yards and 48 touch- the right choice. downs as a junior at Charlotte (N.C.) the last requirements Catholic, averaging 11.9 yards per carry "My parents saw to become an Eagle and 220 yards per game while playing why I wanted to comScout. Last fall Hood as the fullback in the Cougars' old- mit to Notre Dame in started to take over school Wing-T offense. the first place," Hood photo courtesy 247sports said after the trip. responsibilities as a team leader for the Cougars, and he "They realized why I fell in love with will be a captain for his senior season. this place when I first visited here The distance between South Bend before. They got a chance to spend and Charlotte was initially a con- some time with the coaching staff, and cern for Hood and his family. He had they were so impressed by everything. scholarship offers from several elite They knew how bad I wanted to be programs like USC, Florida State and here, so they were good with everyMichigan, but the only school he seri- thing in the end." ously considered other than the Irish Hood needed only three days to get was North Carolina. his parents to sign off on South Bend. Hood won't feel too far from home Now he has the better part of a year to in the Irish locker room. Sophomore make the same sales pitch to his prosoffensive lineman Mark Harrell is pect peers. ✦