Earlier today it was reported that 5-star running back Elijah Hood had decommitted from Notre Dame. a few hours later, the talented North Carolina native made an announcement via Twitter explaining his decision.

“I am de-committing from the University of Notre Dame. I have a lot of respect for the University of Notre Dame and its coaches. I specifically want to acknowledge Coach Tony Alford, whom I dearly admire and regret to inform of my decision. Over the past couple of months, I have put much thought into the things that are important. What is most important to me is my family – especially my parents and grandparents. They have personally been with my through all my life’s accomplishment. Now as a teenager, I am still learning what it means to become an adult. Making difficult decisions that are important to me is part of this process. This decision has nothing to do with football or academics. This decision has everything to do about my family. I am deeply blessed to have the opportunities given to me. I am also excited to move forward with the next phase of my life and becoming an adult. However, going forward, the importance of family will never waiver in my decisions. I am eternally grateful to my family for their support in this decision.”

That statement certainly seems to back up earlier reports that Notre Dame is in fact no longer an option for Hood as he opens his recruitment back up and his statements about his family would suggest that North Carolina indeed would be the clubhouse leader given their proximity to Hood’s hometown of Charlotte.