Freshman cornerback D’Antoine Hood says he knew from early age that he wanted to play football for Auburn.
Hood grew up watching his cousin, cornerback and kick returner Rod Hood, play for the Tigers. Rod finished his Auburn career in 2002, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent and is still in the NFL today with the Arizona Cardinals.
“When Rod played here, I grew up watching Auburn, so I grew up wanting to be an Auburn player,” D’Antoine Hood said. “It’s keeping up a tradition – sending Hoods through here. Basically, I’m just trying to earn some playing time and just keep the tradition going. Me growing up watching him was kind of like training and learning stuff.”
Hood might have walked into his cousin’s shadow at Auburn, but Central coach Ron Nelson said he won’t have any problems living up to expectations. Nelson recalled a game last year against Smiths Station, a spread team that likes to throw the ball.
“They had so much respect for him that we put him on their best receiver all night and they didn’t throw to him once,” Nelson said.
Hood transferred to Central from Hardaway of Columbus before his junior season. Nelson immediately knew he would be an impact player.
“He brought a work ethic with him,” Nelson said. “I think that’s one thing he’s really good with. He has such good recovery time. He backpedals so well, but he comes out of his break as well as anybody I’ve coached.”
While Hood knew he wanted to play at Auburn, the feeling wasn’t always mutual. He was headed for Georgia Southern before Auburn made a late offer.
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D’ANTOINE HOOD
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Position: CB
High
school: Central Phenix City
Height: 5-9 Weight: 185
Notes
of interest: As a senior, recorded 42 tackles, two interceptions and broke
up four passes ... Was selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star
game following his senior season … Nephew of former Auburn CB Roderick Hood.
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Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said that, when he watched film, Hood always seemed to find a way to make a big play.
“He’s maybe the purest football player of them all,” Rhoads said. “I would compare him to a Jerraud Powers. He might not go out and finish in the top three of a 40. If you bench pressed, he might not test at the very top of everything or anything that you might do. But every time you turn film on, he’s making plays and he’s where he’s supposed to be. He’s a football player, and maybe the purest football player among the entire group of DBs.”
Hood says he hopes that raw ability translates into early playing time.
“It means a lot, because not a lot of true freshmen can come in and have a legitimate chance of trying to play,” Hood said. “Most freshmen come in to redshirt. I hope I can play some nickel, dime or slot or whatever they need me to play for them.”
Tomorrow: Tight end Vance Smith
