Pronunciation: ma-luh-kai

University of Illinois Graduate

2025 Junior

• Attended the Black Student Athlete Summit in Chicago in May 2025
• Career-best four total tackles (all solo), including one tackle for loss in Week 1 victory vs. Western Illinois (8/29/25)

2024 Redshirt Sophomore

• Academic All-Big Ten
• Played in 12 games
• 14 tackles (eight solo) with 2.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup
• 2.0 sacks and two forced fumbles, first of career, against Northwestern (11/30/24)
• Recovered first-career fumble recovery against #24 Michigan (10/19/24)

2023 Redshirt Freshman

• Season-ending injury during training camp

2022 Freshman

• Played in one game and redshirted the season
• Made his Illinois debut against Northwestern

High School 

• Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals
• Position ranks: #51 (On3), #75 (247), #96 (ESPN)
• State ranks: #14 (On3), #25 (ESPN), #26 (247)
• Played for head coach Jake Jaworski at Joliet Catholic
• Three-year letterwinner
• Led Joliet Catholic to the 2021 IHSA 4A state championship

Personal

• Born December 30, 2003
• Son of Josephine and Michael Hood
• One brother, Michael Jr., and one sister, Michala
• Cousin, Marcus Hood, played linebacker at Illinois from 1997-2000
• Chose Illinois because, “The ‘famILLy’ atmosphere felt like home to me. I have a long line of family legacy at this school as well.”
• Plans to start a clothing business in the future
• Graduated from the University of Illinois in August 2025 with a degree in political science
• Majoring in strategic leadership & management