Keeping It Heel
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UNC in NFL: Elijah Hood claimed by Carolina Panthers

By Grant Hughes

BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 21: Running back Elijah Hood #34 of the North Carolina Tar Heels carries the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the second half on November 21, 2015 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 21: Running back Elijah Hood #34 of the North Carolina Tar Heels carries the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the second half on November 21, 2015 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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Former Tar Heel star returns to hometown Charlotte after being released by the Raiders.

The Oakland Raiders made Elijah Hood the sixth and final Tar Heel drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was selected the seventh round (#242 overall) that year.

Hood failed to climb the depth chart in his first season for Oakland. The Charlotte native only appeared in one game and didn’t receive a carry.

After finishing the season on the practice squad, Hood signed a reserve/futures contract with the Raiders. The Sophomore running back was cut four months later by a new regime headed by Jon Gruden.

He remained on waivers a mere day before being scooped up by the Panthers. He joins a sparse yet talented running back room in the midst of a makeover. A day before being claimed, the Panthers added star running back CJ Anderson to split carries with rising star Christian McCaffery.

The only other backs of note on the roster is backup Cameron Artis-Payne and second-year fullback Alex Armah. This comes after a recent ACL injury to established third-down back Fozzy Whittaker.

The unfortunate injury to Whittaker ended his season prematurely and made Hood’s quest for a roster spot that much easier to grasp. He will start Organized Team Activities fourth on the depth chart.

The Panthers usually keep 4-5 combined fullbacks and halfbacks on their roster. As of right now, Hood is on the outside looking in.

If Hood wants to stick on the roster, he may have to show the versatility to play fullback. Beating out Armah, the lone lead blocker on the roster, may prove to be the simplest route to a roster spot.

His addition to the Panthers continues an offseason painted Carolina Blue for the team.

Hood is the fourth former Tar Heel brought in by Carolina this offseason. He joins free agent addition Da’Norris Searcy and former teammates Andre Smith and Bug Howard who came in via the draft and on a try out basis respectively.

Next: M.J. Stewart signs with Buccaneers

Panthers fans hope Hood can contribute to the offense in some way and regain some of that confidence he had while playing at UNC for three years.

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