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North Carolina Tar Heels RB Elijah Hood a superstar in the making

By Patrick Schmidt

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The North Carolina Tar Heels lost their opener to the South Carolina Gamecocks but running back Elijah Hood looks like a future superstar.

Three interceptions from quarterback Marquise Williams, including a pair by South Carolina linebacker, Skai Moore in the end zone was the difference in North Carolina’s season opening loss to the Gamecocks.

Despite the 17-13 loss the Tar Heels have themselves a superstar in the making in sophomore running back Elijah Hood.

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The former five-star running back and Charlotte native was the lone bright spot for a North Carolina offense that couldn’t get into a rhythm after Bug Howard’s touchdown reception in the first quarter. Hood finished with 138 yards on only 13 carries, including a 44-yard gain where he shook off one would-be tackler after another.

You would think head coach Larry Fedora would get the ball in the hands of Hood as much as possible when he was clearly the team’s best offensive option on a night when Williams was ineffective and T.J. Logan was limited to seven carries for 30 yards.

But late in the fourth quarter with North Carolina getting a fresh set of downs inside the 10, Hood didn’t receive one carry with the game on the line.

That’s inexcusable for the Tar Heels coaching staff as they watched Williams throw the game-clinching interception to Moore in the final minutes.

Hood should have had 20 carries on the night with the way he was running the ball vs. the Gamecocks defense so I would imagine they right this wrong and make sure to feed their featured back. Hood has a chance to be among the ACC rushing leaders and be right there with Pitt’s James Conner and Florida State’s Dalvin Cook.

He just needs the opportunity and he clearly proved he’s deserving of that in the opener.

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