UNC football running back Caleb Hood retires during 2025 season

But on Friday, the team received some more bad news.

Fifth-year running back Caleb Hood announced his decision to retire from college football. The move comes seven weeks into the season. Hood opened the year as UNC’s starting running back and appeared in five games, playing on 85 snaps. After starting in the season opener against TCU, he struggled to find playing time.

He posted this message on Instagram:

“After much thought, prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to retire from football,” Hood’s statement read. “My journey at UNC has been special and I appreciate my time here. I am excited to start the next chapter and will always take my memories of Carolina with me. I want to thank Coach Belichick, Coach Kitchens and Coach Means for giving me an opportunity, as well as all my other coaches and teammates throughout the years of football for the impact they’ve all had on my life!”

His head coach, Bill Belichick also released a statement:

“Caleb came to me Wednesday and shared his difficult decision to retire from playing football. I could feel his conviction and the peace with his playing career closing. Caleb is a great person, a leader and an exemplary teammate,” the statement read. “He has done everything we have asked him to do as a student-athlete both on and off the field and he has been a model representation of our program. He has battled through injuries the last couple years and worked hard this offseason to stay healthy and compete every day this season. He will always be a Tar Heel and I wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”