Published Jan 14, 2013
Wood declares for NFL draft
Pete Sampson
IrishIllustrated.com Editor
Wood's departure means Notre Dame must replace its top two running backs this off-season with Theo Riddick also departing. Riddick finished the season with 190 carries for 917 yards with Wood second at 114 carries for 742 yards. In the season's final two games against USC and Alabama, Wood carried just 12 times for 22 yards.
During the lead up to the BCS National Championship Game, Wood promised he'd announce a draft decision soon after the season finale, with the deadline for NFL draft decisions coming this week. Wood said the ability to be closer to his one-year old daughter Braelyn, currently living in Las Vegas, Nev., with the running back's mother, would be a factor.
Wood said he'd already made up his mind on next season before the bowl game and had received his draft feedback.
"That's for me to know and you to find out," Wood said. "You'll know if I make the decision or not.
"The only person I told really was my daughter. She can't really tell nobody."
Wood's departure opens the door for George Atkinson III to take over as Notre Dame's starting running back, with the spring competition coming from Will Mahone, Amir Carlisle and Cam McDaniel. Mahone and Carlisle both red-shirted this season while McDaniel had carries in just three games: Navy, Miami and Wake Forest.
Five-star running back Greg Bryant and four-star running back Tarean Folston, both Irish verbal commitments, are expected to enroll at Notre Dame next summer.
The production lost from Riddick and Wood represent 67.4 percent of Notre Dame's running yardage last season but less than half the team's rushing touchdowns. Atkinson and Everett Golson combined for 11 rushing touchdowns, with the quarterback leading the team with six.