In one of the worst kept secrets surrounding the Notre Dame football team, running back Cierre Wood has declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft, bypassing his final year of eligibility with the Irish. Wood sat out his freshman year before leading the Irish in rushing in two of the last three seasons, including an 1,100 yard campaign in 2011. ESPN’s Joe Schad reports that Wood was told he could be a third-round pick, a slot the graduating senior hopes to improve in the months leading up to the NFL scouting combine.
In Wood’s three seasons at Notre Dame, he never averaged less than 5.1 yards per carry, and his senior season included a healthy 6.5 average. Yet Wood lost the role of primary back to Theo Riddick this season, with Brian Kelly and Chuck Martin choosing the converted receivers versatility and north-south style over Wood’s better pure runner skills. During Wood’s 2011 season, where he led the Irish in rushing, he also ceded primary ball carrier duties to Jonas Gray, who burst onto the scene during a phenomenal senior season before a major knee injury.
There is plenty to like about Cierre Wood the NFL prospect. He’s expected to run an impressive 40 yard dash, and shows great elusiveness for a running back that’ll likely weight close to 220 pounds when he performs for NFL scouts. He doesn’t have a ton of wear and tear on him either, as he’s shared the load in each of the past three seasons. His versatility will also be an asset, while he wasn’t featured much in the pass game this season, Wood caught 47 passes over his first two seasons in the backfield, and showed some kick return ability as well.
That being said, Wood isn’t leaving Notre Dame with his stock at an all-time high. Wood’s final two games for the Irish -- two key match-ups against USC and Alabama -- included a combined stat line of 12 carries for 22 yards. His crucial fumble at the goal line in overtime against Pitt nearly cost the Irish the game. Add to that some off-field worries after being suspended for the season’s first two games for a violation of team rules, and a fifth year in Notre Dame’s backfield could have given Wood another chance to boost his stock with a big season. Yet Wood’s decision to leave, a decision largely influenced by his young daughter, will open up the Irish backfield this spring.
With Wood and Riddick both departing, the Irish will have to replace the majority of their carries. Yet with George Atkinson and Cam McDaniel both looking very good this season, Will Mahone and Amir Carlisle preserving a year of eligibility, and blue-chip recruits Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston on their way in, there won’t be a shortage of candidates to replace them.
Wood exits Notre Dame with a career stat line of 450 carries for 2,447 yards, a healthy 5.4 yards a carry. He added 16 rushing touchdowns and two receiving. His career best game came at Purdue in 2011, where Wood ran for 191 yards on 20 carries.