CHAPEL HILL — It hasn’t taken Caleb Hood long to make an impact with, and impress the coaches of, the University of North Carolina football team.
Over the weekend, Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown told reporters, according to Greg Barnes of InsideCarolina.com, that Hood is now the No. 2 running back on UNC’s depth chart.
Ahead of Hood is Ty Chandler, a University of Tennessee graduate transfer, who has been the favorite to start in the backfield.
The Tar Heels lost their top two backs from 2020, Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, both of whom were selected in the NFL Draft. That left the door open for Hood, a true freshman, and several other running backs to fight for the second spot.
Hood, a former quarterback at Richmond Senior High School, joined UNC in January as part of the early enrollment period. Over the spring and summer, Hood has continued to adjust to his new position and credited his teammates for helping him.
“It’s been pretty busy with football, and we’ve really started to pick it up the past two weeks,” Hood said of fall camp. “I’ve done a lot of studying of the playbook to learn my new position and I’ve gotten a lot of help from different players.
“Getting here and getting help from the other guys, that’s been a big part of my success. I think the older guys have helped me more than anything.”
Chandler has been one of those players who has guided Hood this pre-season.
“Ty is my roommate for fall camp, and we’ve really been building a strong bond,” Hood explained. “He’s been a great influence, especially learning from him as a (former) SEC running back.
“He has a lot to offer and helps me with little things to try and help me get better at running back.”
A three-year starter for the Raiders, Hood is Richmond’s all-time passing yards (6,305), completions (394) and single-game completions (26) leader.
Known for his dual-threat capabilities, Hood also impressed on the ground. He collected 1,899 rushing yards on 302 attempts, scored 27 rushing touchdowns and had five games of 100 rushing yards or more.
Caleb Hood rushes for a touchdown against Butler during the 2019 season. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
The pandemic pushed back the start of the high school football season last year, which allowed Hood to forgo his senior season and report to Chapel Hill a semester early. It’s a decision Hood said has already paid dividends.
“Having extra time is good for anything, and my decision to come to UNC early has let me come into a good situation,” he said. “I’m here trying to compete and learn as fast as possible, and it has worked out for the good so far.
“It’s really cool to hear Coach Brown say that l’m the No. 2 running back. But at the same time, I still have to work and can’t let up knowing it’s not final. Continuing to get better is something to look forward to.”
Hood added that taking reps with the first team, including junior quarterback Sam Howell, has allowed him the extra experience of gearing up for his freshman season.
Another thing that has helped Hood climb up UNC’s depth chart is hitting the weight room. He said he’s worked on his mobility, which has allowed him to become “more shifty” on the field.
“I’m a heavier running back, but I’m able to run with my weight which allows me to be more physical,” Hood explained. “People saw me as a quarterback in high school, and now I want to start by setting a standard for myself as a physical guy and who can play that way.”
The Associated Press released its pre-season Top 25 Poll on Sunday, listing the Tar Heels as the No. 10 ranked team in the nation, one of three Atlantic Coast Conference programs in the top 10 spots.
While Hood is enjoying his early success with the Tar Heels, he said his focus is dialed in on improving himself to help the team compete for a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
“The expectations for myself are to do what I can to help the team in whatever my role is,” Hood closed. “I want to hold up my end of the deal.
“Having a quarterback like Sam and a lot of guys on the o-line and defense returning, I think we have a really good chance to make the playoffs. We need to stay focused and hold ourselves to a high standard.”
UNC opens its season at Virginia Tech on Friday, Sept. 3.
Photo courtesy of Jim Hawkins/InsideCarolina.com.
