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Daniel Hood has never been prone to rush into a decision.
With his college choice looming, the defensive end from Knoxville Catholic High School isn’t going to start now.
The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Hood has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Auburn, Georgia Tech and Louisville. He’s also received interest from Ole Miss and Colorado.
Hood, who’s grown up a UT fan, could have easily committed to the Vols as soon as they offered last month.
Hood decided instead to weigh his options to find the school that fits him best.
“I want to check out every school I can,” he said. “That way if I find a school better than UT I can go there and know I’ll be happy. I want to make sure I’m 100 percent positive that I find the school that is the right school.”
Right now Hood says UT is his leader because he knows more about the Vols than any other school.
Hood said he’s seen plenty of talented players from his position play for the Vols.
“Historically UT has put out great defensive linemen,” he said. “The list goes on and on.
“They have great offensive linemen, so you’re competing against them every day in practice. You get better at defensive end because you’re going against better talent.”
Hood credited UT’s coaches for the Vols’ success.
He pointed to the long tenure of head coach Phillip Fulmer and his defensive staff members as a main reason.
“Coach Fulmer has been there 16 years so you’re pretty confident in the head coach they have,” Hood said. “You can be assured he’s going to be around a lot longer.”
Hood said he’s heard from many UT fans — family and friends included — who hope he will choose the Vols.
One UT fan who hasn’t pressured Hood is his father.
Hood said his father wants his son to make his own decision.
“It means a lot to me,” Hood said. “It shows he respects me. Even though I’m not a natural adult and shouldn’t be classified as one he’s letting me make my own decision.”
Hood has already seen that kind of support from his father during his high school career.
Before Hood’s sophomore year, he moved from his father’s house in Kingsport to his uncle’s house in Knoxville in order to attend Catholic.
“Selfishly he wants me in Kingsport with him going to Dobyns-Bennett (High School),” Hood said, “but he knows what’s best for me is at Catholic. He’s been able to support me emotionally and financially.”
Hood has already visited UT this spring and plans to attend the Vols’ Orange and White game on Saturday.
He said he will soon decide which schools to visit this summer.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by dfreeman on April 17, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Harrison Smith reincarnate?? J\K Do what you think is best for you kid! The Vols will be great with or without you! Just remember that defensive ends are in high demand at UT these days!!
Posted by Ashley on April 17, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
137 days till Football time In Tennessee!!!!
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 17, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...vacation is going to be here before I know it.
Posted by Volchaz on April 17, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope this kids signs with the Vols. We'll see how we stack up at that position, this weekend.
Posted by bigorangedude on April 17, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Daniel, you won't be happy unless you sign with the Vols, because you are a Vols fan at heart. Follow your heart, not your head! Also the people who love you the most can be there to cheer you on. We hope you choose UT! Go Vols!
Posted by ElizabethtonvolnNC on April 17, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Workin....Vacation? That would insinutate that you have a job.
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 17, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And it's bad to not have a job? Could be retired, semi-retired, unemployed to do to layoff, just don't have a job or can't get one or just be wealthy enough to work.
On the other hand, I could work because I have to, really like what I do, want a career, etc.
Lots of growth opportunity in Elizabethton these days though.
Posted by volboy81 on April 17, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How can a Vol fan hesitate to commit to the Vols?
Posted by midgetangel on April 17, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First thought is alright take your time. Think about it again and this guy is pretty mature. (At least he's acting like it now.) He's not going to rush it just because he likes the school. I'd rather a kid search and conclude we are the best than to come and think that just because they were a fan they would automatically play. Just let ALL of the other schools prove that UT is the best out there!! He'll pick the best one!!
Posted by volntx on April 17, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like he will be a Vol, if he is a Vol at heart. But you cannot blame him for taking the other free college trips to different cities and and campuses.
Posted by huntined on April 17, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, ElizabethtonvolinNC
I am a ElizabethtonvolinFL
Hope we get Mr Wood as we will need him bad next year..can't afford to lose many in-state players
too hard to get them from out of state these days
Posted by cdldoc on April 17, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To be able to play for the Vols I would have committed at 3 years old. I never understand this "looking around" unless you think alibamba or southern kalifornication might buy you a car if you sign.
Posted by newtonrail on April 17, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For those of us not in Knoxville all the time, I wish these players positions were stated with Height, Weight, etc. I am assuming, which is dangerous, from the story; he is a DE.
Posted by dfreeman on April 17, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bflynn2 - James Stewart and the wee little trojans came in and put DB to beddy bye back when I played for the Trojans! "Little Man" broke a long one with time running down to send them packing! At that time DB was the team to beat! That was 18 years ago! DB hasn't been that good since!! LOL calling them a pansey? Did you play??
Posted by spam247buster on April 17, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Didn't Karns beat Science Hill last year?
Posted by ElizabethtonvolnNC on April 17, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Workin-...Operating child pornography sites doesn't really qualify as any of those you listed...OTOH-Thanks for vacationing in Elizabethton!
Huntin-...I am with you on that one!If he is anything like the Witten boys, The VOLS will get him.
Posted by BigOrangeJeff on April 17, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BF2,
Maybe you should re-read the article. It says nothing about the quality of football at either school. It just says "he knows what’s best for me is at Catholic". Maybe it's the academics. Maybe the Catholic staff has developed more D1-A talent over the last few years. Maybe he was getting in trouble and needed out of Kingsport. Whatever the reason, it's their decision.
This is the problem with a lot of posters on this site. Their mouths (or, in this case, fingers) are in fourth gear before their brains are out of park.
BOJ
Posted by pdhuff on April 17, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is with "D" line players going elsewhere? What does Rivals have him as?
We may get him, but there was a time we could pick and choose.
No more.
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 17, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by ElizabethtonvolnNC on April 17, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Workin-...Operating child pornography sites doesn't really qualify as any of those you listed...OTOH-Thanks for vacationing in Elizabethton!
****That might qualify as one of the worst comebacks of all time on a variety of levels. Child pornagraphy sites? Not very creatice. Vacationing in Elizbethton? Not a chance. Place is an armpit. I mean don't even bother if that's all you got.
Posted by sjt18 on April 18, 2008 at 2:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"How can a Vol fan hesitate to commit to the Vols?"
Taken at face value, it sounds like he just wants to be sure and have no doubts about what might have been afterwards. OTOH, I'd probably hold off too. He'll get to take some nice trips and possibly see some good games.
pdhuff, I don't think Rivals has rated him yet. He'll probably be a 3*.
BTW, when was it that UT could pick and choose... and what were they picking and choosing over? CPF could commit to in-state relationships by taking lesser players and probably lock up most of the better players. Unfortunately, that would leave UT about 8th or 9th in the SEC in talent.
Until the HS football in Tn improves, UT will have to sacrifice in-state relationships to pull in better players from outside the state.
Posted by ElizabethtonvolnNC on April 18, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Workin- THAT might be one of the worst comebacks of all time....is that all YOU got?!
...Way to go Jason Witten on being voted Top Pro athlete....from Armpit, TN.
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 18, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Only good thing to come out of Elizabethton.
Posted by utcomvol on April 18, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In my opinion, there's got to be something wrong with you if you grow up in ET, are offered by the vols to play football, and don't commit on the spot. If he goes somewhere else, then good riddance. When Harrison Smith had that long drawn out recruitment, I hoped he wouldn't pick UT because he was a Knoxvillian who wasn't passionate about the vols.
Posted by ElizabethtonvolnNC on April 19, 2008 at midnight (Suggest removal)
Workin- and you call that creative?
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