Name: Jaydon Hood
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 212 lbs.
High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #34
Last year: I ranked Hood #68 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 72
Hood came to Michigan last year looking a little too undersized to be a linebacker. His height has always been a bit of a question mark, but a lack of height needs to be supplemented by bulk (he was only listed at 215) and/or excellent quickness (which is yet to be determined). Hood obviously didn't display enough of those traits to get on the field much, which was acceptable in 2021 when considering his youth and the presence of Josh Ross, Nikhai Hill-Green, Junior Colson, Kalel Mullings, and others.
However, 2022 is a different story. Ross is gone and Mullings is dabbling at running back, meaning that #3 linebacker spot is open for the taking. It could be Mullings or Mike Barrett or Joey Velazquez or a freshman, but there's a chance for everyone. I've heard mildly positive things about Hood to make me think he might still be another year away. Unfortunately, his listed weight dropped from 215 last year to 212 this year, but 2022 should see him take on an increased role on special teams and perhaps a few snaps at inside linebacker.
Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer
Lost weight ... a smallish LB in a major CFB weight room?
ReplyDeleteCould be a long-term problem, or there could be nagging injury issues. Either way, I wouldn't expect to see much this year
I'm less concerned with a lack of size than a lack of quickness. Hood didn't make much noise last year compared to Colson but I still feel pretty optimistic about his future.
ReplyDeleteThere's just too many other options at LB. Michigan returns 3 starters there, at position that doesn't need much rotation and is usually 2 guys doing almost everything. There's a spot for a backup ILB to rise up if Mullings moves and Barret focuses on OLB exclusively, but it's not likely to be a big role and there are a bunch of unproven players there. Michigan has recruited LB pretty hard (too many IMO unless they start pushing more to EDGE). So already we've seen enough backup options to push guys away to other positions and other schools.
I like Hood's potential but there's just too much ahead of him to make an impact in 2022, IMO, unless both starters are injured at the same time. Hood will hopefully contribute on special teams but now that we're in the 40s you expect mostly guys who might be rotating in meaningful downs or potentially coming in to play a starting role if there's an injury. Hard to see either for Hood just yet.