UNC Football Alumni: Elijah Hood scores TD in first game with Panthers

Former UNC Football running back Elijah Hood scored a touchdown in his debut with the Carolina Panthers

Elijah Hood is hoping that playing close to home with the Carolina Panthers will help jumpstart his NFL career after he spent three years at the University of North Carolina. On Thursday, Hood played in his first preseason game with the Panthers and made an impact.

During the Panthers’ 28-23 win over the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Hood played significant time in the preseason opener.

The running back appears to be fifth on the depth chart as training camp rolls on and will likely have to make some sort of impact on special teams to secure a roster spot. On Thursday, he made a big play for the Panthers on offense.

With Carolina leading 21-17 with just over five minutes left in fourth quarter, Hood hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Heinicke. Following the play, he was greeted by several former Tar Heels on the sidelines:

Hood only finished with 7 total yards rushing in the game on 3 carries but it was nice to see him contribute in the receiving area as well. He had just the 1 reception but it was a big touchdown to essentially put the game away for Carolina.

After sitting on Oakland’s practice squad last season, Hood is hoping to find a home in the NFL with the Panthers.

The Charlotte native grew up watching the Panthers and seeing him make the team would be a feel-good story. Hood will have some more work to do in the preseason and the good news is that he should get more reps next week and then a lot more in the preseason finale.

If Hood does end up on the practice squad, he could be a player the Panthers call up at some point in the season to be on the 53-man active roster.

But for now, Hood will just have to grind through camp and make the best of it.

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