The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1340560
2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas four-star Jaydon Hood is a versatile linebacker who can play either inside or outside. When watch- ing him play, his physicality at the point of attack stands out … and so do the bone-crushing hits he puts on opposing offensive players. "The biggest thing is he attacks. He hits violently. He runs through tackles," said Nathan O'Neal, Hood's personal trainer. "You don't have to worry about this young man hesitat- ing in a hole. He's going to attack the ball. He's going to punish the person who has it." Being a recruit from the talent-rich state of Florida, O'Neal also believes Hood's speed can bring a different element to the Wolverines' defense. "No offense to Michigan. This is not a knock on Big Ten football. But to me, Jaydon is an SEC linebacker, meaning he's really, really fast," he explained. "Jaydon can run. He's fast and physical. He's going to bring that to the Big Ten. "They are getting a guy that can re- ally play the run, but also add to their defense in pass coverage. He's going to play the run, rush the passer and drop. He's going to do some really nice things. I'm excited for Michigan. He can help them take another step towards competing with Ohio State." Hood prides himself on his train- ing, and that's one of the main rea- sons why the 6-1, 212-pounder is able to showcase such elite athleticism on the field. "The first thing I see is just a physi- cal, well-conditioned player, some- one that cares about his body, his physical development," Rivals.com Southeast recruiting analyst Chad Simmons said. "I think his body and frame help the way he plays. You see a guy who's muscled up. He ob- viously works hard in the weight Hard-Hitting Jaydon Hood Will Make A Big Impact Hood notched at least 50 tackles all four years of his prep career, including 115 as a junior with 25 for loss, seven sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM 46 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2021 JAYDON HOOD LINEBACKER 6-1 • 212 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS H.S. FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 225 14* 38 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 23* 72 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 191 4* 29 * Ranked at inside linebacker STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL Sacks 2020 71 1 1 2019 115 25 7 2018 55 12 5 2017 51 7 4 HONORS • Landed on MaxPreps' All-Florida second-team defense as a senior. • Put on the South Florida Sun Senti- nel's second-team All-Defense squad that included Broward County's 8A-6A schools following his senior season. • Invited to the 2021 Under Armour All-American Game, which was can- celed. • Landed on the Palm Beach Post Small Schools (4A-1A) first-team squad as a junior. • 2019 Defensive Player of the Year for Cardinal Newman High School, which is where he spent his first three years. • Received Land Rover Palm Beach Player of the Week and CBS 12 Athlete of the Week recognition in 2019 after racking up 10 tackles and an intercep- tion in a win over Delray Beach Ameri- can Heritage. • Awarded with South Florida Sun Sentinel Palm Beach 5A-1A honorable mention accolades as a sophomore. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan on May 25, 2020, without ever having been to Ann Arbor. • Chose the Maize and Blue over no- table offers from Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.) and Penn State, among others. • Primary recruiter was Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. • Was not expected to sign his letter of intent during the early signing pe- riod in December, but pulled a stun- ner and inked with U-M Dec. 16.