Breaking Down Caleb Hood's Key Stats
Caleb Hood is a former University of North Carolina Tar Heels running back whose five-year college career (2021-2025) produced 114 carries for 515 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, 24 receptions for 194 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, and 1 passing touchdown across 31 games.
Early Career Snapshot
Caleb Hood, a 6'0", 220-pound running back from Rockingham, North Carolina, enrolled early at UNC as a three-star athlete recruit ranked No. 49 nationally by 247Sports. In his true freshman 2021 season, he appeared in seven games, rushing 22 times for 97 yards and 1 touchdown, including a career-long 25-yard run, while averaging 4.4 yards per carry. His father, Errol Hood, played defensive back for UNC from 1998-2001 under coach Mack Brown, adding a family legacy to his Tar Heel journey.
Hood's high school stardom at Richmond Senior featured 6,305 passing yards and 59 touchdowns as an option quarterback, plus 1,899 rushing yards and 27 scores over three seasons, earning him three-time all-conference honors. This dual-threat background shaped his versatile college role, including kick returns and occasional passing.
Season-by-Season Breakdown
In 2022, Hood started four games amid UNC's 9-4 campaign, rushing 43 times for 250 yards at 5.8 yards per carry-his career high-highlighted by a 71-yard long run. He added 13 receptions for 119 yards and 1 touchdown receiving, contributing to ACC wins over Virginia Tech, Miami, Duke, and Pitt.
The 2023 junior year saw Hood in seven games with 15 carries for 43 yards and 1 touchdown, including six rushes for 26 yards and a score against Appalachian State on September 9, 2023. Injuries limited him, but he caught 1 pass for 9 yards.
During the 2024 senior season, despite entering the transfer portal on December 3, 2024, Hood withdrew on December 27 and starred in the Fenway Bowl versus UConn on December 28, rushing 11 times for 78 yards and throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass. Overall, 18 carries for 81 yards, 4 receptions for 37 yards, plus 1 passing TD.
In his redshirt senior 2025 campaign under new coach Bill Belichick, Hood started the opener but appeared in five games before retiring on October 10, 2025, with 16 carries for 44 yards and 1 touchdown-scoring on Belichick's first drive-and 6 catches for 29 yards.
Career Rushing Stats
| Season | Team | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UNC | 22 | 97 | 4.4 | 1 | 25 |
| 2022 | UNC | 43 | 250 | 5.8 | 0 | 71 |
| 2023 | UNC | 15 | 43 | 2.9 | 1 | 13 |
| 2024 | UNC | 18 | 81 | 4.5 | 0 | 16 |
| 2025 | UNC | 16 | 44 | 2.8 | 1 | 9 |
| Career | UNC | 114 | 515 | 4.5 | 3 | 71 |
Career Receiving Stats
| Season | Team | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | UNC | 13 | 119 | 9.2 | 1 | 22 |
| 2023 | UNC | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2024 | UNC | 4 | 37 | 9.3 | 0 | 19 |
| 2025 | UNC | 6 | 29 | 4.8 | 0 | 15 |
| Career | UNC | 24 | 194 | 8.1 | 1 | 22 |
Key Milestones and Highlights
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>On September 18, 2021, Hood scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 5-yard run against Virginia, rushing 9 times for 66 yards-his freshman highs.
>September 10, 2022, versus Appalachian State? No, wait-his 71-yard rush in 2022 highlighted his breakaway speed.
>September 9, 2023: 26 yards and a TD on 6 carries against Appalachian State.
>December 28, 2024: Fenway Bowl heroics with 78 rushing yards and a 17-yard TD pass to J.J. Jones against UConn.
>2025 opener: TD run on Bill Belichick's first drive as UNC coach, per ESPN highlights.
Defensively, Hood recorded 1 solo tackle in 2024; on special teams, 6 kick returns for 78 yards. His EA Sports College Football 26 rating stood at 79 overall as a halfback.
"After much thought and prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to retire from football. My journey at UNC has been special and I appreciate my time here." - Caleb Hood, October 10, 2025 Instagram post.
Injury Challenges
Recurring upper-body injuries defined Hood's career: an injury versus Pitt in 2022 ended his season after four starts; limited to seven games in 2023. These setbacks reduced his carries from 43 in 2022 to 15 in 2023, despite starter potential.
In 2025, after starting under Belichick-hired post-2024-he played five games before medical retirement, amid roster changes. Coach Kevin Kitchens and staff supported his opportunity.
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>Career fumbles: 0 recorded, showing ball security.
>Total touchdowns: 4 rushing, 1 receiving, 1 passing-versatile scorer.
>Games played: 31 over five seasons, battling durability issues.
>Longest rush: 71 yards (2022), showcasing explosive potential.
>Family tie: Son of UNC alum Errol Hood (1998-2001 DB).
Legacy Analysis
Though stats reflect a backup role-4.5 yards per carry career average-Hood's resilience amid injuries and versatility as runner, receiver, passer, and returner embody Tar Heel grit. His Fenway Bowl performance (78 yards, TD pass) remains a highlight, boosting UNC despite 27-14 loss.
Hood's retirement at 22, post-Belichick era start, underscores injury toll on promising talents; he exits with 24 total points scored and memories from 2021-2025. Analysts note his 79 OVR in EA College Football 26 captured halfback speed.
In Rockingham roots to Chapel Hill fields, Caleb Hood's career, though curtailed, inspired with flashes like the 71-yard scamper and family legacy. Future pursuits remain private, but his UNC chapter closes definitively.
Advanced Metrics
Hood's career success rate on rushes hovered around 40% in limited snaps, per contextual splits; in wins, he averaged higher yards per carry than losses. Elusive rating potential shone in 2022's 5.8 AVG, aligning with high school dual-threat prowess.
| Category | Career Total | Best Single-Game |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 515 | 78 (Fenway Bowl 2024) |
| Receiving Yards | 194 | 29 (vs. Charlotte 2022) |
| Total TDs | 5 | 1 (multiple) |
| Pass YDS | 19 | 19 (Fenway Bowl) |
| Kick Ret YDS | 78 | 23 (2021) |
This structured view reveals Hood's utility beyond raw numbers, optimizing for depth in a hype-filled college football landscape.
Key concerns and solutions for Breaking Down Caleb Hoods Key Stats
What led to Caleb Hood's retirement?
Caleb Hood retired on October 10, 2025, after five games of his redshirt senior year, citing much thought, prayer, family discussions, and likely injury history following a strong start under coach Bill Belichick.
Who is Caleb Hood's father?
Errol Hood, who played defensive back at UNC from 1998-2001 after being recruited by Mack Brown, linking family to Tar Heels tradition.
What was Caleb Hood's best statistical season?
2022, with 43 carries for 250 yards (5.8 AVG), 13 receptions for 119 yards and 1 TD, starting four games in UNC's ACC slate.
Did Caleb Hood ever throw a touchdown pass?
Yes, a 17-yard touchdown pass on December 28, 2024, in the Fenway Bowl against UConn, finishing career 2/4 for 19 yards, 1 TD.
How did Hood perform in 2025?
In five games, 16 carries for 44 yards (2.8 AVG) and 1 TD, plus 6 receptions for 29 yards; scored on Belichick's debut drive.