Ziggy Hood, DT

The secondary was the obvious weak link of the Tigers' defense the past two years, but with Hood in the trenches Missouri more than held its own up front. That unit allowed only 124.86 yards per game rushing in 2008, ranking second in the Big 12 Conference and 12th in the nation in tackles for loss, registering an average of 7.43 stops behind the line of scrimmage per game.

Called by head coach Gary Pinkel, "the most tenacious player on the team," Hood lived up to that reputation. Despite constantly battling double-team coverage, he collected 10 sacks, 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 16 quarterback pressures the last two seasons as the team's starting weak-side defensive tackle.

Hood was a highly-regarded athlete who excelled on defense and also played tight end for Palo Duro High School. He ranked as the No. 35 weak-side defensive end in the nation, according Rivals.com, and was named District 3-4A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, when he registered 93 tackles and 13 sacks.

That season, Hood also scored three defensive touchdowns and recovered three fumbles. He earned All-District honors each of his last two years. He registered 76 tackles as a junior, including five sacks and also returned an interception for a touchdown. In addition to football, he threw the shot and discus for his school's track team.

Hood chose to attend Missouri in 2005, turning down scholarship offers from Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Texas Christian, Texas-El Paso and Baylor, among others. The coaches were originally going to redshirt him, but in August camp Hood earned a spot with the second unit at weak-side defensive tackle, going on to play in 12 games. He was in on 23 tackles (13 solos), 1.5 sacks and 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage.

The sophomore seized a starting opportunity in 2006. In the third game vs. New Mexico he suffered a foot fracture that required surgery to insert a screw. The staff projected that he would be forced to miss the rest of the season, but each week Hood predicted he would be back the following game. He returned after just three games and played through the pain the remainder of the season. Hood went out and delivered 36 tackles (24 solos) that included four sacks, four pressures and two forced fumbles while playing weak-side tackle and nose guard. That was just the start of great things to come.

In 2007, Hood was named All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention. The weak-side tackle started all 14 games, coming up with 49 tackles (30 solos). Despite constant double coverage, he finished third on the squad with five sacks and had a career-high eight stops for losses. He caused three fumbles, recovered another and broke up five passes. After producing six tackles and 1.5 sacks vs. Arkansas in the Cotton bowl, Pinkel called that Hood's best game in a Tigers uniform.

Hood continued to be relentless in his pursuit of quarterbacks in 2008, as five of his 12 pressures caused interceptions. The team captain and All-Big 12 first-team choice was in on 62 tackles (31 solos) that included seven stops behind the line of scrimmage and five sacks. He also recovered two fumbles and blocked one kick.

Positives: More than the sum of his parts. … Legitimate NFL size. … Plays with a passionate, physical style. … Locates the ball quickly and pursues well down the line. … Flashes initial burst off the snap and the lateral quickness to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. … Recognizes the trap block and can burst through the hole to make the play behind the line of scrimmage. … Physical at the point. … Seems to enjoy the hand-to-hand combat in the trenches and doesn't back down from contact. … Active hands and can disengage from blocks due to his hand play. … Durable performer. … Showed great toughness in 2006, missing only three games after breaking his foot and having a screw inserted, before returning to play the final seven games at less than 100 percent.

Negatives: Lacks the elite explosiveness or strength usually associated with highly rated defensive tackles. … Only moderate initial quickness. … Flashes the lateral quickness to elude and collapse the pocket, but is too inconsistent in that area. … Often plays too high and loses leverage, negating his own strength and size. … Missed three full games and parts of others in 2006 with a broken foot suffered midway through the season.

Compares To: JASON FERGUSON, Miami -- Like Ferguson, Hood plays well when lined up over the center's head. He needs to learn how to keep his pads down, as he has this nasty habit of popping up at the snap, leaving his chest exposed for the physical block. He has good lateral agility and uses his hand jolt effectively to push the blocker back, redirect and shoot the gaps. When he moves down the line, he is quick to pick up schemes and plays with urgency to prevent the ball carrier from turning the corner. He will often face multiple blockers and would be more effective shedding them, if he can improve his pad level.

GENERAL REPORT: GRADE: 6.32

Body Structure: Hood has a wide frame, with solid muscle tone in his lower body and wide hips. He has broad shoulders, long arms, large hands and demonstrates above average weight room strength. While he might be asked to add additional bulk, his frame might not be able to carry it without it affecting his adequate quickness.

Athletic Ability: Hood plays above his athletic ability, more like an old school type of player who gets maximum performance out of what he has. He shows good feet, adequate change of direction agility and good body control in space. He plays with a high motor and is quite quick shooting his hands. He lacks great playing strength or explosiveness and is just an adequate overall athlete, but he shows good balance on the move. In the short area, he has the burst to close, but his timed speed does not translate to the field in long pursuit. His change of direction and flexibility are better when he stays low in his pads, as he can better gain leverage. GRADE: 6.3

Football Sense: Hood is a smart player who was a National Honor Society member and earned academic honors at Mizzou. He understands football, recognizes blocking schemes and has no problems retaining plays. He picks things up quickly in practice and has good field instincts. He anticipates the plays well and does a good job flowing to the ball along the line. He is not the type who will not be fooled much by play-action and fakes. GRADE: 6.9

Character: Hood is an outgoing sort who is looked up to by the younger players. He has been very compliant and mature since entering the program. He is a self-starter and not the type that you need to push constantly in order for him to produce. GRADE: 6.1

Competitiveness: Hood gives his best all the time on the field. He proved his toughness by returning to the field just three weeks after surgery to have a screw inserted in his foot as a sophomore, even though the doctors said he would be lost for the season. He is a high motor type, but not one who is reckless to get taken out of the action. He is a good competitor who plays with intensity and adequate playing strength. He has a nasty side and is very tough in the trenches. When he gets in a groove, he simply wears down the blockers with his hand usage and combative nature. GRADE: 6.3

Work Habits: Hood needs to rely more on his natural strength on the field. He does not take that power to generate explosive hits, but is an efficient tackler. Even when he is knocked down, he is quick to pick himself up and get back in the action. He is not the type to ask out of practices, but despite the talent on the offensive line at Missouri, he is not really challenged much prior to game day. GRADE: 6.0

ATHLETIC REPORT: GRADE: 6.36

Explosion/Pursuit: For a player with his timed speed, you would expect Hood to simply explode off the line of scrimmage, but while he can burst through the hole he loses leverage when he plays too high in his stance. He has good pursuit quickness and lateral agility to make plays on the move, though. He shows proper body control and positioning to collapse the pocket, something he did quite effectively in 2008. He can gain advantage getting to the gaps and is quick with his feet to get a good push into the blocker, but needs to do a better job protecting his legs. When working down the line, he shows above average movement skills. GRADE: 6.5

Strength at Point: Hood shows good hand usage vs. tight ends and lead blockers, but despite his weight room strength he is not really a stuff-and-separate type vs. the bigger and stronger blockers. What he does to compensate is adjust to movement and react well with counter moves. The thing you notice on film is that when he stays down in his pads, he can use his weight room strength better to gain leverage. He might not have the brute strength needed to neutralize (does this better in one-on-one situations than vs. double teams though). He can generate a strong anchor to maintain position at the point of attack when he does not bounce up in his stance. He is hard to block coming off the ball and even if the blocker gets into his body, Hood is not the type the offensive guards can hold for long. He knows how to get underneath to get a piece of the blocker's pads and is effective stacking and controlling in one-on-one situations. GRADE: 6.7

Use of Hands: Hood has very quick hands and the functional strength to deliver a punishing jolt. He could be even better if he can sink his pads and get leverage. He shows good production getting into the blocker's body, but needs to use his hands better to defeat the low blocks (can get knocked down vs. the chop block). He shows quick hand technique and an effective arm cross-over move in pass rush attempts. He also generates good punch to control and disengage. GRADE: 6.8

Lateral Pursuit/Effort: Hood has the lateral quickness and sustained speed to slip through the pile and apply pressure. He has good change of direction agility and can get in gear when working in space. He is best working along the line of scrimmage, where he can make plays in short pursuit. With his high motor, he shows good intent to flow to the ball. GRADE: 6.7

Tackling Ability: Hood is a hard drag-down tackler, but when he takes a side the bigger ball carriers have success bouncing off his hits. He gets into this rhythm where he feels he needs to get tall in his stance and this makes him easily wiped out by low cut blockers. He has enough strength to lock up and make the wrap-up tackles. When he attacks a ball carrier, he makes a conscious effort to take out the opponent's outside leg. When he stays low in his pads, he extends his arms and is very effective to wrap up. He also shows urgency getting to the ball in the short area. GRADE: 6.2

Run Defense: Hood shows good hand usage to shed blocks in one-on-one battles. When he sinks his pads, he does well holding at the point of attack, but would be much better if he did not get so high and expose his chest. He is a strong inside run defender who can make plays up and down the line of scrimmage, but lacks the long speed to chase in space. He is often matched against double teams and when this happens, he can get isolated and struggle to hold ground at the point of attack, as he does not stay down low enough or use his hands to protect his legs. Without great hand shed ability, he will get locked up and stall out. When working one-on-one, he will flash the ability to stack. GRADE: 6.4

Pass Rush: Hood is more of a bull rusher than one that can take the edge and give long chase. He is effective when trying to press through a combo pass block, but has to be alert to low shots at his legs. He does a nice job of getting his hands up in attempts to deflect low throws and can simply destroy fullbacks that are the last line of pocket protection. He has a decent initial step to get advantage and shows effective swim-&-rip ability. He just lacks suddenness off the ball. He is more of a move-oriented type than one who would park at the line to wait for action to come to him. Because of poor pad level, unless this is corrected he will spend too much time on the ground by being chop blocked. It is his strength and urgency in his play that allows him to gain penetration. GRADE: 5.7

Closing on the QB: Hood has that nonstop motor and desire to get to the quarterback. He can separate in the open with a surge and is touch to block when he keeps his pads down. He seems more productive closing on the quarterback when lined over the center's head than working the gaps. He is able to close in the short area if he breaks free from the low blocks, but outside of his initial burst he is nothing special working behind the line. GRADE: 5.7

Instincts/Recognition: Hood has good react-&-react skills. He plays with good instincts, awareness and recognition. He has a good feel for blocks and reacts well to blocking pressure. Film shows good ability to locate the ball quickly. He feels the play develop and will fight until the whistle. GRADE: 6.5

Compares To: JASON FERGUSON, Miami -- Like Ferguson, Hood plays well when lined up over the center's head. He needs to learn how to keep his pads down, as he has this nasty habit of popping up at the snap, leaving his chest exposed for the physical block. He has good lateral agility and uses his hand jolt effectively to push the blocker back, redirect and shoot the gaps. When he moves down the line, he is quick to pick up schemes and plays with urgency to prevent the ball carrier from turning the corner. He will often face multiple blockers and would be more effective shedding them, if he can improve his pad level.

OVERALL GRADE: 6.35

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas

Hood started the last 31 (35 total) of the 50 games he played in at Missouri … Finished his career with 170 tackles (98 solos), 15.5 sacks for minus 76 yards, 22.5 stops for losses totaling 111 yards and 22 quarterback pressures … His 15.5 sacks tied C.J. Mosley (2002-04) for seventh on the school's all-time record list … Also caused five fumbles and had three fumble recoveries … Deflected eight passes and blocked one kick.

Consensus All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection … Added Academic All-Big 12 second-team accolades … Team captain and named the Tigers' Defensive Lineman of the Year … Started all fourteen games at weak-side defensive tackle, recording a career-high 62 tackles (31 solos) … Ranked second on the team with five sacks for minus 37 yards and had seven stops for losses of 42 yards … Credited with twelve quarterback pressures, as he recovered two fumbles, deflected a pair of passes and blocked one kick … Helped the team rank second in the league and 12th in the nation with an average of 7.43 tackles for loss per game … Part of a front wall that gave up just 124.86 yards per game rushing … Held the opposition to 97 yards on 40 running plays he was involved in (2.43 ypc), as he made eight third-down stops vs. the run and allowed just seven first downs with no touchdowns and stopped opposing ball carriers for no gain on ten of those rushing attempts … Ten of his QB pressures came on third-down snaps and another on fourth-down … Registered ten tackles inside the red zone, including six on goal line plays

Illinois … Hood was voted a team captain by his teammates for the 2008 season for a good reason. He has been a mainstay along the defensive front for Mizzou over his first three seasons in Black and Gold and ranked among the team leaders with eight tackles-for-loss and five sacks. The Amarillo, Texas, native also ranked second among defensive linemen with his 49 total tackles in 2007 … Hood came into the Illinois looking to build off that success, as he made five stops, including one for a loss … Three of Hood's tackles came in the fourth quarter of a close 52-42 win, including one that forced the Illini to punt with 5:50 left in the game, as he stopped Daniel Dufresne for no gain on a rushing attempt at the Illinois 35 … Head to Head Competition: OG#62-Eric Block (6:03-292).

Southeast Missouri … The Tigers' defense destroyed SEMO by the score of 52-3. Their offense thought they were going to make a statement by scoring on 15-play, 68-yard drive, but failed to get on the board after Hood blocked the 25-yard field goal attempt … The team captain contributed with two tackles and half a stop for a loss, but the blocked field goal was a physiological hit to the gut … Hood's blocked field goal was Missouri's first blocked field goal attempt since Sept. 23, 2006 vs. Ohio University … The Tigers followed up the defensive stand with a 4-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, finished off with a 28-yard run. The Tigers never looked back, scoring 45 straight points … Head to Head Competition: OG#62-Matt Shannon (6:02-276).

Buffalo … Hood recorded his first sack of the season in the first quarter, a loss of 7 yards, taking down QB Drew Willy on a third-&-9 snap to force the Bulls to punt … The weak-side tackle then recorded his second sack of the year in the fourth quarter, stopping Willy for a loss of 4 yards on a third-&-11, causing a fumble that the Tigers recovered, as their team captain finished the day with five tackles and 2.5 stops for minus 13 yards … Record Watch: With 12.5 career sacks. Hood is now 12th all-time on the Mizzou sacks list … Head to Head Competition: OG#73-Peter Bittner (6:04-301).

Nebraska and Oklahoma State … Hood delivered five tackles (2 solos) with a pair of pressures in each of his games vs. the Huskers and Cowboys.

Texas … Hood recorded four tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss … .His sack of QB Colt McCoy went for a loss of 10 yards early in the quarter, marking his third sack of the season … In the closing seconds of the game, he disrupted the snap exchange, resulting in a 4-yard loss for the Longhorns as the gun sounded, ending the game … Head to Head Competition: OG#55-Cedric Dockery (6:04-315).

Colorado … The weak-side tackle helped plug the middle for the Tigers, as they held the Buffalos to 41 total rushing yards. Hood recorded three tackles and killed a mid third quarter series when he pressured QB Cody Hawkins into throwing an incomplete pass, bringing on the Colorado punting unit … Head to Head Competition: OG#66-Blake Behrens (6:03-298).

Baylor … Ziggy Hood continued his strong senior season with four tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss and a pressure in a close 31-28 decision … On a mid first quarter series, he pressured QB Robert Griffin into tossing an incomplete pass and then chased down the QB on a bootleg, resulting in a 7-yard loss, as Hood caused a fumble and recovered the ball at the Mizzou 20 … Griffin tried to escape Hood's onslaught with 1:26 left in the half, only to get sacked for a 10-yard loss … Head to Head Competition: OG#78-Charles Griesenbeck (6:06-277).

Kansas State … Hood played his usual solid game, notching four tackles and a fumble recovery. However, in this game he drew praise from the opposing coach. The praise undoubtedly came not just for his numbers but for freeing up other players to make plays. Kansas State Head Coach Ron Prince on Ziggy Hood: "I think they're terrific. I think they are very underrated on their defensive front. A lot of really mature bodies. Number 94 (Ziggy Hood) is a terrific player." … The defensive tackle took down QB Josh Freeman for no gain on a bootleg and then pressured the deep snapper at the end of that series, as KSU's punt was then blocked, setting up a Mizzou drive that ended with a 43-yard field goal … Freeman tried to escape from Hood's bull rush on a fourth quarter third-&-7 snap, but was brought down for a 3-yard loss, coughing up the ball as Hood pounded on it at the Wildcats' 24 … Head to Head Competition: OG#63-Penisini Liu (6:06-282).

Kansas … In the tough 40-37 loss to the rival Jayhawks, Hood recorded four tackles and held the Kansas offense to 63 yards on 32 carries … In the third quarter, he stopped tailback Jake Sharp for no gain on a sweep and then pressured the pocket, as QB Todd Reesing threw a pass that was intercepted by the Tigers' Jaron Baston … Head to Head Competition: OG#66-Adrian Mayes (6:03-305).

Oklahoma (Big 12 Championship) … Hood notched six tackles (2 solos) against the league's top offensive line, but the Tigers lost 62-21 to the top ranked Sooners … He brought the crowd to its feet with a violent helmet-to-helmet collision that stopped fullback Mossis Madu for no gain on a rushing attempt at the Mizzou 38 midway through the second quarter … Head to Head Competition: OG#72-Duke Robinson (6:04-337).

Northwestern (Alamo Bowl) … Hood registered five tackles (2 solos), a 5-yard sack and two QB pressures in his last collegiate game. Two tackles came in overtime to help the Tigers preserve a 30-23 win … His fourth-&-7 pressure killed a mid first quarter 9-play, 31-yard series and late in the third stanza, Northwestern was forced to punt after the Tigers captain sacked QB C.J. Bacher for a 5-yard loss on a third-&-7 play … His fourth quarter pressure on a Bacher incomplete pass again brought out the Wildcats' punting unit … The game ended when Hood stopped Bacher for just a 1-yard gain on a goal-line run at the Tigers' 9-yard line … Head to Head Competition: OG#64-Doug Bartels (6:04-300).

All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention … Started all fourteen games at weak-side defensive tackle … Recorded 49 tackles (30 solos) as his five sacks for minus 34 yards ranked third on the team … Produced a career-high eight stops for losses of 41 yards and collected four quarterback pressures … Caused three fumbles and recovered another … Also deflected five passes.

Illinois … Opened the season in explosive fashion, getting to QB Juice Williams twice for losses of 11 yards, causing fumbles on both sacks, as he also pressured the passer, causing an interception … Also made five tackles (3 solos).

Western Michigan … Hood pressured QB Tim Hiller on a pair of tosses, including one for an interception, as he also sacked Hiller, made a stop behind the line of scrimmage, caused a fumble and registered seven tackles (5 solos).

Nebraska … The weak-side tackle knocked down two Sam Keller pass attempts at the line of scrimmage and was in on three tackles (2 solos).

Iowa State … Followed with seven tackles (3 solos), two more pass break-ups and two stops behind the line of scrimmage, including a 7-yard sack of QB Bret Meyer.

Oklahoma (Big 12 Championship) … Hood posted three tackles with a stop behind the line of scrimmage.

Arkansas (Cotton Bowl) … Hood twice got to QB Casey Dick for sacks totaling losses of 14 yards, coming up with six tackles (5 solos) in a 38-7 triumph.

Named the team's Most Improved Defensive Player, Hood was also honored with the Team Rigman Outstanding Underclassman Leadership Award … The sophomore started the season opener vs. Murray State at nose guard, shifting to weak-side tackle for the next two games, but suffered a right foot fracture vs. New Mexico … Underwent surgery to have a screw inserted and was thought to be lost for the season … He sat out only three games before returning to the field, going on to start seven of the ten games he played in, sparking a young defense that rallied around their new-found leader … Finished with 36 tackles (24 solos) that included four sacks for minus 16 yards, five stops for losses of 18 yards and four pressures … Also caused two fumbles and deflected a pass.

In his first career start, Hood posted a sack, causing a fumble on the play while also making three tackles with 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage vs. Murray State … Added six tackles (3 solos) with 1.5 sacks for minus 9 yards vs. Mississippi … Registered three tackles, as he sacked QB Bret Meyer for a 5-yard loss, causing a fumble that the Tigers recovered to set up a touchdown drive vs. Iowa State … His forced fumble in the Kansas clash was also recovered by Missouri to set up a scoring drive.

Appeared in twelve games as a true freshman, seeing action at left end, weak-side tackle and nose guard with the second unit … Finished with 23 tackles (13 solos), 1.5 sacks for minus 9 yards and 2.5 stops for losses of 10 yards … Also came up with two pressures.

2006: Suffered a right foot fracture vs. New Mexico (9/16), undergoing surgery two days later to have a screw inserted and was forced to sit out the Ohio University (9/23), Colorado (9/30) and Texas Tech (10/07) games.

Campus: 4.45 20-yard shuttle … 7.32 three-cone drill … 34.5-inch vertical jump … 9'8" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 35 times.

Combine: 4.83 20-yard shuttle … 1.62 10 yards … 2.81 20 yards … 4.55 20-yard shuttle … 7.50 three-cone drill … 33-inch vertical jump … 9'0" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 34 times … 33 3/4-inch arms … 9 5/8-inch hands.

Attended Palo Duro (Amarillo, Texas) High School, playing football for head coach Steve Parr … Also played tight end … Ranked as the 35th-best weak-side defensive end in the nation, according to Rivals.com, and was named District 3-4A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, when he registered 93 tackles and 13 sacks … That season, Hood also scored three defensive touchdowns and recovered three fumbles … Earned All-District honors each of his last two years … Registered 76 tackles as a junior, including five sacks and also returned an interception for a touchdown … In addition to football, he threw the shot and discus for his school's track team … Member of the National Honor Society.

Biology major … Son of Mary Payne and Charles Hood … Nicknamed "Ziggy," a name given to him by his grandmother as a child … Born 2/16/87 … Resides in Amarillo, Texas.