Hood Decommits: Irish Still In Consideration?

Jul 1, 2013; Beaverton, OR, USA; Elijah Hood does a shuttle drill during the SPARQ Rating National Championship at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon on Monday July, 1, 2013. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Anything can happen in recruiting. Since his commitment to Notre Dame in April, Elijah Hood was one of Notre Dame’s best recruiters. His decommitment surprised everyone today. Hood released a statement that said:

"“I am de-committing from the University of Notre Dame. I have a lot of respect for the University of Notre Dame and its coaches. I specifically want to acknowledge Coach Tony Alford, whom I dearly admire and regret to inform of my decision. Over the past couple of months, I have put much thought into the things that are important. What is most important to me is my family – especially my parents and grandparents. They have been with me through all my life’s accomplishments. Now as a teenager, I am still learning what it means to become an adult. Making difficult decisions that are important to me is part of this process. This decision has nothing to do with football or academics. This decision has everything to do about my family. I am deeply blessed to have the opportunities given to me. I am also excited to move forward with the next phase of my life and becoming an adult. However, going forward, the importance of family will never waiver in my decisions. I am eternally grateful to my family for their support in this decision.”"

Does Notre Dame still have a chance with the 5-star Running Back? At this point, it does not seem like it. Hood told the Charlotte Observer, “It was about being closer to home and I want to have them with me in my development.” North Carolina, the school Hood chose Notre Dame over, appears to be his likely destination. The University of North Carolina can offer excellent academics and is only 2.5 hours from Charlotte.

Where does Notre Dame go from here? The good news is that Notre Dame is currently deep at the Running Back position with George Atkinson III, Amir Carlisle, Cam McDaniel, Will Mahone, Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston. So, if the Fighting Irish do not land a prospect, it is not the end of the world. However, Nathan Starks and Donte Thomas-Williams could be targets for the Irish.