A Look at the 2014 Offers: Running Back
By Andrew Hall
Jan 3, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Cam McDaniel (33) during practice for the 2013 BCS National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Nova Southeastern University. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame currently has six Running Backs on their roster: Atkinson, McDaniel, Carlisle, Mahone, Folston and Bryant. In the 2015 season, if Notre Dame does not land a Running Back in this recruiting cycle, they will only have three scholarship Running Backs. Landing an elite Running Back is critical for the Fighting Irish.
The Fighting Irish have several elite Running Backs on their radar. Many of these recruits have mutual interest with the Irish. Elijah Hood is the first name on Notre Dame’s list.
Elijah Hood is a 5-star Athlete from Charlotte, North Carolina. He recently completed a midwest tour of unofficial visits, seeing Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan. At the conclusion of that trip, he named Notre Dame his leader. Hood attends the same High School as current Notre Dame Offensive Linemen Mark Harrell. That school, Charlotte Catholic, represents the continued attempt by the Notre Dame Football Recruiting staff to find good fits for the football team.
On film, Hood is shifty, powerful and elusive runner. Most of his runs appear to be between the tackles. At 6’0” 210lbs, Hood possesses the ability to run over virtually anyone at the High School level. But, he also has great feet, which makes him surprising elusive in traffic. He possesses good to great speed. It is not quite elite like George Atkinson but with the other skills that he brings to the table he is able to get the ball in the end zone frequently.
Hood ran for 2,868 yards as a Sophomore with 45 touchdowns. Maybe more spectacular was his 12.9 yard per carry average. Even though the 5-star label gets thrown around too much, Hood seems deserving of the label. There does not seem to be a timetable for his decision but Notre Dame is in good shape with the 5-star player.
Notre Dame is also pursuing Sony Michel, Leonard Fournette and Bo Scarbrough. Michel is the teammate of Notre Dame signee Michael Deeb. The two players are fairly close and this should at least allow Notre Dame to stay in the race for Michel. Michel is a 5-star Running Back, according to Rivals.com. The two other prospects, Fournette and Scarbrough, are more long shots. Scarbrough is currently an Alabama commitment. Fournette is from Louisiana where Notre Dame has not been successful at landing recruits.
It is apparent from Notre Dame’s offers that they are being extremely selective with who they are going to take at the Running Back position. At this point, they have only offered top talent and they are looking to add an elite player. Currently, they are in position to do so.