One of Clemson cornerbacks coach Mike Reed’s top targets for this recruiting cycle wants to keep coming back to campus. Colton Hood (6-1 175) (of McDonough (GA) Eagles Landing Christian Academy was offered by the Tigers after he attended their “spring elite day” a couple of weekends ago. Michigan State offered recently and joins 22 other programs that are interested in Hood’s services, including USC, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Penn State, and Pittsburgh.
The “Elite Day” visit was about more than football, according to Hood. “What stood out to me was the PAW Journey and talking about life after football and how it would prepare me for my future if I’m fortunate enough to make it to the NFL or not.”
He was also able to watch one of the Tigers’ spring practices and paid close attention to the way Reed instructed the corners. Reed coached Hood’s uncle – Roderick Hood-when both were with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2003-2006.
“I saw the corners and they looked pretty good,” Hood reflected. “I wanted to get out there and compete. I liked seeing the way Coach Reed coaches. He coached my uncle when was he was in the NFL, so it was pretty unique to see him and possibly get the opportunity to be coached by him.”
Reed’s message to Hood was quite simple – keep making your way back to Clemson.
“He told me that even after they offer me there will be a lot of schools coming after me so to take my time with my recruitment and to keep coming back,” the Georgia native stated. “He kept talking about how Clemson is a family and how they treat their players with the upmost respect. I will be back for the spring game, but I might come back sooner, I don’t know.”
“It makes me feel special, but at the same time I know I’ve worked for this,” Hood said with regards to the offer from Clemson. “I’ve been training my whole life for this. It’s like, ‘Ok, yeah, I’m one of those few guys but I have to keep working because it’s not over with. I haven’t made it to where I want to be.”
The rising senior is still wrestling with a timeline to finalize his collegiate choice. “I planned on making a decision in late June but right now it’s not looking like I’ll be able to by then.” However, he notes that the Tigers have made an impression, “Clemson is definitely up there in my top five.”
Some of his other offers are Coastal Carolina, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Indiana, East Carolina, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Boston College, Kansas and Kansas State.
Hood earned first team all-state honors last season as a defensive back. He’s also an all-region centerfielder on the baseball team.
