More than just a jock!!!

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, and high school football enters its championship stages, our very own Diondrey Deshawn Hood, the newly minted 18-year-old, reminds us that it's not only about what you do on the field, but who you are both on and off of it.

"Hardworking, dedicated and determined" is how Hood's mother Marshelle Hood describes his senior football season. "He had a couple of really great games where he showed true leadership as a team captain, and he took their losses very personal," commented the proud mother.

True leadership is a quality which team captains must often display. Such a quality is one in which the senior at Joliet West High School in Joliet, Illinois demonstrated throughout his entire football career there.

According to the school's sports tracking website, newberecruited.com, in conjunction with a partner highlight website, hudl.com (both links take you to Hood's statistics and highlight film), his coach, Jason Aubry writes "as a sophomore he was considered for (sic) playing at the varsity level," and follows that up by indicating that "as a junior he (Hood) started 8 out of 9 games and was second in sacks for the team."

The recent birthday boy, (Hood's birthday is November 5), followed up his Junior year with a senior season which included being named team captain and receiving First-Team All-Conference honors for his play on the field, primarily for being second on the team in tackles, and leading the team in forced fumbles. (For more photos of his career year go here).

However, those on-field exploits only tell half the story, as his coach, Aubry, further elaborates on the site that "he also received All-State academic," which is an honor that requires a minimum of a 3.5 Grade Point Average as a complement to stellar on-field performance.

In spite of all the fanfare and attention, the all-world nephew, cousin, grandson and son has remained grounded and resolute in his understanding of what has gotten him to this point. "I want to first thank God and then my lovely parents for the support over the years," was what the recently accepted Carroll University applicant said when asked whom he would like to thank for contributing to his success.

Hood, who is no stranger to nicknames, known affectionately as everything from "Cease" (named after the great leader), to "Pooter" (named after the great poot), to "Poopy" (fill in the blank here) and the more traditional shortened "Drey" is presently deciding what comes next after he graduates from Joliet West this upcoming May.

When asked of which college he would most like to attend, an equivocal response of "I don't know, but as of right now I would pick University of St. Francis" came to mind. However, as mentioned earlier, the All-State in Academics student has already been accepted to Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, home of the Pioneers.

While the outside linebacker yet maintains aspirations of lacing up the cleats for showdowns on Sunday in the National Football League, he is currently interested in pursuing some type of career in Math, with Actuarial Science currently piquing his interest as the front runner.

When asked about looking forward, Hood points out that "my plan is to finish my schooling off with me getting a Master's Degree," is the goal the avid Madden and NCAA Football video game player articulates. However, while looking back, he acknowledges that he did in fact enjoy all of his accomplishments from high school as well.

All of the success was not without resiliency, as "Cease" mentions that he was most proud of surviving all four years without quitting, and being able do as well as he did throughout his career. When asked of what advice he would give to those following in his footsteps as an athlete and a scholar, he responds with the encouragement of "stay in school and put goals in your life that you want to reach, always want to do better and have faith and believe."

Spoken like a true leader, and someone who is far more than just another jock!