Name: Jaydon Hood
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 217 lbs.
High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #34
Last year: I ranked Hood #45 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He made 3 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 72

Hood had a prime opportunity in 2022 to take advantage of some open snaps at inside linebacker. Josh Ross had departed after the 2021 season, and returning starter Nikhai Hill-Green missed the entire year with an injury. Junior Colson was basically assured a starting spot, but there was one position open and Hood failed to seize it. In fact, he barely laid claim to any snaps, playing in just three games.

I have heard some mildly positive things about Hood from practice, but the buzz about other players has been more significant. At this point he appears to be looking up at Colson, Michael Barrett, Ernest Hausmann, Jimmy Rolder, and possibly others, especially if Kalel Mullings is still taking snaps on defense. So at best Hood is still the fifth linebacker going into his third season on campus. Hood is a good athlete and known for his hitting ability, but his best chance in 2023 might be to carve out a role on special teams.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer