Home is apparently where the heart is for highly-touted high school running back Elijah Hood, who announced his commitment to North Carolina Tuesday night on Twitter.
Hood, of Charlotte Catholic High School, is a five-star recruit — the first to commit to UNC since Donte Paige-Moss in 2010, according to Rivals.com. He withdrew his commitment to Notre Dame on Aug. 20.
Former UNC running back Giovani Bernard, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in April, also decommitted from Notre Dame in favor of UNC.
“Of all the schools North Carolina has endeared me the most because it feels like home,” Hood said in a picture shared on his Twitter feed. “As the nation’s first State University, the traditions and history of North Carolina make me extremely proud to be born here.
“The North Carolina community, Coach Fedora and his staff have done a great job at Chapel Hill and I can only expect better things ahead.”
Rivals.com ranks Hood as the nation’s third-best running back, the top running back in North Carolina, and the 14th overall recruit in the nation. Another recruiting website, Scout.com, gives Hood a four-star ranking, naming him the seventh-best running back in his recruiting class.
Hood turned down 21 other offers in choosing UNC, including Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina, N.C. State, Michigan, Ohio State and Stanford.
Hood’s commitment is not binding until he signs a national letter of intent, which high school football players cannot do until Feb. 5, 2014.
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound running back rushed for 3,309 yards last season and 48 touchdowns. Last Saturday night, Hood ran for 325 yards on 37 carries and scored five touchdowns against Washington D.C.’s Gonzaga High School in a 35-28 win.
Hood said on Twitter he chose UNC because it allows him to stay close to home.
“This decision,” Hood said, “will allow not only my family, but also my community to continue to be a part of me as I grow not only academically and physically, but in faith and maturity as well.”
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