The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE room, and that translates to the foot- ball field." During his senior year, Hood tal- lied 52 tackles in nine games. Before transferring to St. Thomas Aquinas ahead of his final year of high school, Hood played three years of varsity football at West Palm Beach (Fla.) Cardinal Newman. As a junior there, he racked up 115 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, seven sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions, plus scored two de- fensive touchdowns. The year prior, he recorded 55 stops, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He even saw action as a freshman, notching 51 stops, seven tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception in one of the most loaded states for prep foot- ball. It's not just his athletic ability that has allowed for his success — it's his smarts as a player, with Rivals.com's No. 225 overall player in the class being able to dissect plays and help shut opposing offenses down. "He's really unique," O'Neal said. "Because of his intelligence, he can take over and run a defense. There is not a doubt in my mind. He can put people where they need to be. He can make the calls and the pre-snap calls. "He also has the athleticism to be a Will [weakside linebacker]. He can be out there in space, go sideline to sideline and attack vertical. He can make some really big-time plays for Michigan." Hood helped St. Thomas Aquinas to a class 7A state title, with a 31-21 win over Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tal- lahassee capping off a special season. Simmons, who was in attendance for the contest, said it was obvious Hood's leadership skills were one of the main reasons the squad was able to cruise to victory. "He showed some major leader- ship qualities in that game," Sim- mons said. "He was making checks from the linebacker position and al- ways making sure everybody was aligned correctly." While Hood obviously wasn't on the squad the year prior, that win marked the second straight state championship for the Crusaders, and their 12 state titles are the most in Florida high school football history. Playing for that kind of powerhouse school, with high-level competition on a daily basis in practice, has ben- efited Hood as a player, and it will prepare him for the next level, per- haps even giving him a chance to see the field early at U-M. "Jaydon being from a program like St. Thomas Aquinas, that gives him a leg up over an average high school kid, from a development aspect," Simmons said. "Going against guys that are as good as you or better than you, that gets you prepared for col- lege. "They play a tough schedule; they demand a lot off the field. His regi- ment in the weight room and how he works off the field will help allow him to go compete at Michigan right away." ❑ Hood is the grandson of 2020 College Football Hall of Fame inductee E.J. Junior, who starred at linebacker for Alabama before a 13-year pro career. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM MARCH 2021 THE WOLVERINE 47 2021 Projection With redshirt sophomore Cameron McGrone departing early for the NFL and the play at the position underwhelming as a whole in 2020, U-M could use some help at linebacker next fall. The return of redshirt junior Josh Ross and redshirt sophomore Michael Barrett will make it difficult for Hood to earn a starting role, but he could crack the two-deep. There will be several young and primarily inexperienced linebackers compet- ing with Hood for playing time, including a fellow St. Thomas Aquinas alum in redshirt freshman Anthony Solomon. DID YOU KNOW? • Qualified for the 3A state wrestling meet as a sophomore at 195 pounds, and also participated in track and field. • Helped his Cardinal Newman squad qualify for the 3A state playoffs as a sophomore and junior. • Led St. Thomas Aquinas to an 8-1 record and a Class 7A state title as a senior. • His grandfather, E.J. Junior, played collegiate football at Alabama and spent 13 seasons in the NFL. Junior was the No. 5 overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, earned two Pro Bowl nods and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020. • Was high school teammates with fellow Wolverine signee Ja'Den McBurrows, a cornerback. THEY SAID IT • Rivals.com national director of recruiting Mike Farrell: "Hood should be [a surefire stud in college]. He's 6-1, 215, and is fast and explosive. He could play H-back, wide receiver or be a huge safety, though he projects as a linebacker. "There's a reason we used to have him listed as an 'athlete.' Hood is a can't-miss type of kid." • Rivals.com Southeast recruiting analyst Chad Sim- mons: " The Michigan signee is a strong linebacker with good instincts and he made a big impact in the [state title] game. He had a big hit early, he was always around the ball, and he will move to Ann Arbor looking to compete for early playing time."