Breaking: Massive OL Jacob Hood commits to Georgia

It came down to Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami and Ole Miss for Nashville (Tenn.) Hillsborough offensive lineman Jacob Hood.

The massive 6-foot-8, 340-pound senior committed to Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, and he made that decision after a second visit to Athens late last month.

Auburn made a run at Hood. Miami was right there with Georgia at one time earlier this summer, but the way he felt in Athens pushed the Bulldogs to the top.

Two visits to Athens told Jacob Hood Georgia was right for him

Jacob Hood took his official visit to Georgia June 11, then returned for another visit the last weekend of July. He knew leaving Athens the second time that he wanted to be Bulldog.

“My official visit to Georgia was great, and I saw a lot I liked, but I talked to a lot of players and recruits that second time,” Hood said. “I asked questions, I heard what they said and that connection was big for me.

“I knew I connected with coach [Matt] Luke, coach [Kirby] Smart, and the Georgia coaching staff, so once I connected with the players and recruits, that was it for me.

“It was easy and it felt right. I felt at home with everyone and it was an easy decision.”

Georgia has everything Hood is looking for.

“I like what they are about as a program. I love the football side, how the people are, and it is a great feeling there for me. It really is just the perfect school for me.

“It was a different feeling for me at Georgia. All the schools that recruited me are great, but there is something different about Georgia.

“There is nothing I don’t like about Georgia. I cannot say anything bad about it.”

OL coach Matt Luke played a big role in Jacob Hood’s commitment

College programs have area recruiters, and some staffs still use that strategy, but now, with all the support staffers, it is really about position coaches on the recruiting trail.

With Jacob Hood being an offensive lineman, Matt Luke was the lead recruiter for Georgia. The two hit it off from the beginning and what is important to Luke is important to Hood.

“Coach Luke is a big family guy and I am the same way,” Hood said. “Coach Luke not only cares about me, but he cares about my family, and that really stood out to me.

“I could tell a lot about coach Luke as soon as we started talking. He is a man that cares about people. He puts his family first and we think a lot alike.

“The way he is as a person went a long way with me. I know he will care about me at Georgia and always do what is best for me.”

Hood complimented Luke as a coach too.

“He is a former head coach that knows a lot about the game and offensive linemen. Coach Luke was good at Ole Miss and I like his style of coaching.

“He can be funny, he is easy to talk to and his approach with me made me very comfortable. I know he will push me as a player on the field, but I love his approach and how he does things.

“I think coach Luke coach help me a lot.”

Committing to Georgia means a lot to Jacob Hood

Months after his sophomore season, Hood picked up his first offer from Eastern Kentucky. It was towards the end of his sophomore year.

Over the summer, a few offers came in, and during the pandemic season of 2020 is when Hood’s recruitment took off. He stayed focused, he kept working and it paid off.

“I have come a very long way as a player, so this commitment to Georgia means a lot to me,” Hood said.

“After my sophomore year, I never thought I would be going to college to play football for a school like Georgia, so this means a lot.”

Hood started to believe in himself more and more throughout his junior year. He put in the work, he played with more confidence and it has led to him committing to one of the top programs in the country.

A program that plays in a state that he has family that he knows will be cheering for him every week.

“This could not have worked out any better. I have family in Fayetteville, Ga. that are die-hard Georgia fans. One of my cousins graduated from Georgia too, and I have multiple family members that love the program, so this is exciting.

“I kept working and going hard, and now I am so blessed. Now I just want to go into Georgia, keep working hard and be one of those guys people are talking about years from now as a great one that played at Georgia.”

Hood will graduate in December and move to Athens in January.