We’ve past hump day of Raiders training camp. It’s all downhill from here. The Raiders will kickoff the regular 34 days from now. In the 30s we talk running backs and defensive backs. Today it’s a running back.
RB Elijah Hood
The first of four seventh round picks the Raiders had this year. His numbers at North Carolina weren’t great last season, but in 2015 he was one of the best in the country, running for 1463 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The 6-0, 236-pounder has some wiggle to go with his weight. He idolizes Marshawn Lynch and hopes to follow in his footsteps with the Raiders next season. He has had some moments this season for the Raiders and could manage to grab that fourth running back spot vacated by the release of Taiwan Jones. The Raiders only keep one fullback, so there is probably room for him, though it’s hard to say how much playing time he would see this season barring any injuries to Lynch, Jalen Richard, and DeAndre Washington.
Who wore it best: RB Bo Jackson (1987-90)
His time with the Raiders was short, but significant. This incredible two-sport star spawned the "Bo Knows" Nike campaign due to his prowess in both football and baseball. The Raiders were able to grab this former Heisman Trophy winner in the seventh round of the draft because when he was initially drafted first overall by the Buccaneers, he refused to play for them due to some shady dealings with team owners that cost him college baseball eligibility. He opted to sign with the Kansas City Royals, play baseball for a year, and was then drafted by the Raiders who agreed to let him play both sports.
He became the only two-sport star to be named an All Star in both sports and ESPN rated him as the greatest athlete of all time. Though he never played more than 11 games in a season, he finished with a career 5.4 yards per carry average. He also owns three of the top five longest rushes by a running back in franchise history (92, 91, 88). His most memorable moment came in Seattle when he ran for 221 yards which is the second highest single game rushing performance in franchise history.
His career was cut short in 1990 by a significant hip injury. It was a tragic end to what had the makings of a brilliant football career.
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