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North Carolina Tar Heels: Elijah Hood Declares For Draft

By John Woodcock

Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) with the ball as Citadel Bulldogs linebacker Myles Pierce (50) and defensive back Ben Roberts (11) defend in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) with the ball as Citadel Bulldogs linebacker Myles Pierce (50) and defensive back Ben Roberts (11) defend in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The North Carolina Tar Heels lost their starting running back for next year as Elijah Hood entered the NFL Draft.

The North Carolina Tar Heels got a small shock to their system in the past forty-eight hours as running back Elijah Hood declared for the NFL Draft. Naturally this means my 2017 predictions are falling faster than they were created. It also means that the Tar Heels are in for a clean sweep on the offensive side of the ball next year.

Hood’s decision to leave now was probably predicated on several factors. One, Hood had spent part of this season injured and did not want further collegiate injury to hurt his pro chances. Two, Hood knew as well as anyone else that he would be running behind a new line with a target on his back next year.

Hood has shown his best work in the north-south running style that works best against the speedy defenses of the NFL. He is currently projected as a second to fourth round pick, though these are pre-combine projections. He will be part of an unusually deep running back class in this year’s draft.

More from North Carolina Tar Heels

The Tar Heel offense now is guaranteed to look almost nothing like its predecessor in terms of personnel. Holdovers include Austin Proehl at receiver, Brandon Fritts at tight end, and Tommy Hatton at guard. It will be interesting to see how Coach Larry Fedora rebuilds, but it is hard to see the Tar Heels doing anything but taking a step backward this upcoming season. Whether that will hurt their record or not is yet to be seen.

For Tar Heel football fans, the next big day on the calendar is National Signing Day. That will give the first real picture on what the future looks like for the Heels. Then comes spring ball and the spring game. Before you know it, we’re back in September with football again.

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