ROCKINGHAM — Ever since he started playing football in elementary school, Kellan Hood’s progression with the sport has seen him switch between wide receiver and quarterback every few seasons.
Now his number has been called to be the new face of the Richmond Raiders’ offense, as Hood was named the team’s starting quarterback for the 2021 campaign by head coach Bryan Till.
Entering his junior season, Hood was a varsity wideout as a sophomore and captained the JV Raiders as a freshman under center. No stranger to the minutiae of the position or the Raiders’ offense, it’s a title that the 5-10, 180-pounder is taking with pride.
“It’s very exciting being named the starting quarterback,” Hood said following Tuesday’s practice. “Now I get to show that I’m more than a wide receiver and have more to offer on the field. This was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
“I always thought I’d play quarterback again, but not until my senior year,” he added. “But now is my time to step up and help the team. Seeing the game from both sides will help, especially as a wide receiver I learned all the routes and where players need to be and where I now need to get the ball.”
Hood becomes the second starting varsity quarterback in Till’s four seasons, as his older brother Caleb Hood led the Raiders the last three years. Caleb Hood graduated early to train as a running back with the University of North Carolina and forwent his senior season.
Till explained that Kellan Hood earned the starting quarterback gig because he already has experience playing the position. He added that Hood also has a strong grasp on the offense because of that and playing wide receiver on varsity last year.
“When you couple those things with his strong work ethic and the fact he has the respect of his teammates, it was not a hard decision,” Till said.
Because Hood has learned the offensive system over the last several years, Till said the Raiders’ offense will remain intact.
“With most of the same personnel back at other positions, there is very little reason to change something that has been so successful,” Till explained. “Add to that our offensive coaching staff is still the same and it makes sense to change very little.”
As a freshman with the JV Raiders in 2018, Hood completed 70 of his 116 pass attempts for 935 yards and 12 passing touchdowns.
He had just three interceptions and added three rushing scores in a 10-0 campaign that featured wins over seven teams whose varsity squad made the state playoffs in 2018, including 4A state runner-up Scotland and 4AA state champion Wake Forest.
Jay Jones, Richmond’s quarterback coach, said he’s been excited to work with Hood and knew that the junior would make a smooth transition to the familiar position at the varsity level. Working together for the majority of each practice, Jones said Hood has shown his capability through his work ethic and football IQ.
“Kellan has shown he understands our offense and has been a quick learner in terms of his reads, progressions and all the things we ask him to do at quarterback that he didn’t have to do as a wide receiver,” Jones explained.
“Playing wide receiver in our offense last year has also given him a head start in terms of understanding defenses and their coverages. As he continues to get live reps and experience, I look for him to have a great season.”
Jones noted that Hood’s arm strength has been impressive and that the 25 pounds of muscle he’s put on since last season allows him to better use his core and legs in his throwing motion.
“He’s made some throws already in practice that have been impressive,” Jones shared. “Kellan is a savvy football player who understands the game and has great instincts on the field. He understands defenses and is able to process things on the field really well.”
Prior to Caleb Hood leaving for Chapel Hill in January, Kellan Hood said the two went to the practice field almost every day during the pandemic to work on his skillset.
“Caleb has helped me a lot since my 10th grade year,” Hood said. “He helped me learn reads, plays, defensive coverages, and we spent a lot of time on my form and footwork.
“But now I’m really trying to show that I’m a versatile athlete and not in my brother’s shadow,” he added. “I’m focusing on becoming comfortable in the pocket and making the best play every time.”
Helping protect Hood’s blind side will be N.C. State signee and three-year starter Jaleel Davis at left tackle. Along the rest of the offensive line will be Caleb Wilson (LG), Braxton Butler (C), Jaiden Covington (RG) and Austin Moore (RT).
Two of Hood’s primary targets will be seniors Tremel Jones (Wingate signee) and Dalton Stroman (Appalachian State signee), who both caught 31 receptions and combined for 12 touchdowns as juniors.
Also looking to add to the offensive attack will be wideouts like senior Jarod Morrison and junior Trey Thomas. In the backfield, the duo of senior Jaron Coleman and sophomore Brandon Askins will carry the weight at running back.
“Coach Jones and Coach (Brad) Denson have been very understanding, especially with the short transition period,” Hood said. “They’ve really coached me up right to make me better prepared.
“And I feel confident because of who I’m playing with,” he added. “I have a great offensive line, and really good wide receivers and running backs. If they do their jobs, I can do mine. I know we’re going to give it our all.”
Richmond’s offense will be very similar to what it has been since Denson became the offensive coordinator in 2017. According to Jones, “Kellan is really well-suited for our system. He’s very athletic, a good decision maker and a leader, which is what we look for in a quarterback.”
Several coaches agreed that Hood “exemplifies what we want a Raider to be.” He’s proven to be hard-working, dependable, respectful, encouraging to his teammates, a student of the game and an example in the community.
“Kellan has been around the game his whole life and understands what it takes to be successful at it,” Till said. “He is also good at working with his teammates to achieve that standard.
“Kellan is a good communicator and strong competitor, and all we need him to be is himself and he will fulfill the role of QB very well.”
The Raiders are in their second full week of practice, but Hood and company won’t start the regular season until Friday, March 5, at Pinecrest High School. Week one’s game was postponed after Purnell Swett High School’s program had to follow COVID-19 protocols.
