Will County Prep Sports

JCA alums Anderson, Hood injured, out for season at Illinois

Joliet Catholic's running back Jordan Anderson, (23) makes a catch in mid air over Springfield's Salomon Dessalines, (15) during the Class 4A state title game at Huskie Stadium on Friday Nov. 26, 2021 in Dekalb. (Scott Anderson)

By Steve Millar

A pair of Joliet Catholic graduates will have to wait to make their debuts in a college football game.

University of Illinois running back Jordan Anderson and linebacker Malachi Hood suffered season-ending injuries in preseason camp, Illini coach Bret Bielema announced this week.

Both players are redshirt freshmen and 2022 Joliet Catholic graduates who led the Hilltoppers to the 2021 Class 4A state championship.

Anderson suffered a torn ACL and will undergo surgery later this fall. Hood was sidelined by an Achilles injury.

As a senior in 2021, Anderson missed more than half the season with injuries but still eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing and scored 16 touchdowns in only six games. Hood, meanwhile, was one of the defensive leaders on a team that finished 14-0.

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Steve Millar

Steve Millar

Steve Millar joined Shaw Media in August 2023 to cover prep sports in Joliet and Will County. Steve has covered prep, collegiate and pro sports for more than 15 years in Illinois.