Gator News- RB from USC Mulls transfer

[Spearit]

Former USC running back Emmanuel Moody said Friday that he has narrowed his transfer choices to Florida and North Carolina. (uh yeah we'll take him)

Moody, the second-leading rusher on USC last season, had also considered Texas and Oklahoma State.

Moody, who rushed for 459 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a team-high 5.8 yards per rush last season, left USC because of the school's depth at his position, citing a "business decision."

At USC, running back Chauncey Washington's status for the season opener is in question because of a shoulder sprain. Sophomore Stafon Johnson and true freshman Joe McKnight are among those also competing for the job.

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Adding Moody would make the triple option offense a powerful weapon in UF's already high powered offense. If he comes to UF- Meyer will no doubt give him many touches as our backfield is green. Meyer will go with the hot hand and I see this guy on the horizon of UF football.
NC of course is in the picture- but this guy is looking to go pro quick and wants what USC will not be able to give him- the ball! He wants 1000+ yards this year and fame in the championship bowl to accelerate his position upon coming out. Its a business decision!

[Spearit]

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Former USC running back Emmanuel Moody visited defending national champion Florida on Thursday, touring the campus, meeting with coaches and trying to decide whether he will join the Gators.

Moody, who was the second-leading rusher for Southern California this past season as a freshman, recently decided to transfer from USC.

"We talked about me coming here, and how I'm going to fit in the offense," Moody said. "[Coach Urban Meyer said] I could help the team out."

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound sophomore from Texas gained 458 yards on 79 carries last season before missing the final four games because of a sprained ankle. He entered USC camp as one of 10 players competing for playing time at tailback.

"USC is all about the rotation, getting everybody sharing time," Moody said. "I want to be a featured back."

[KJ1000]

You have to remember that Butch Davis is at UNC which makes the Tarheels enticing as well. It is not to the level of UF, of course, but they have made a huge commitment to football there. Plus, remember that Davis was a pro coach so that gives him some pro cred there. Just food for thought...

[Spearit]

Excellent point KJ- But I still think he is looking for championship contention. That is what brings you to the big stage and puts your name at the top. Reggie Bush style!

2007: Moody looks to continue his fine debut showing of 2006 as a part-time starting tailback with more playing time in 2007 as a sophomore. He missed most of 2007 spring drills because of a strained hamstring.

2006: As just a first-year freshman in 2006, Moody had an impressive showing at tailback. He started 4 early-season games (Nebraska, Arizona, Washington State, Washington) and was USC's rushing leader in its first 3 games. Overall in 2006 while appearing in 9 games (he sprained his left ankle against Oregon and sat out the California, Notre Dame, UCLA and Michigan games), he had 459 yards (second on USC) on 79 carries (5.8 avg.) with 2 TDs and caught 3 passes for 39 yards (13.0 avg.). He had 5 runs and 1 reception of 20-plus yards. He made 2006 The Sporting News Freshman All-American honorable mention and was named the The Sporting News Pac-10 Offensive Freshman of the Year.

In the opener at Arkansas, he rushed for a game-high 58 yards on 7 carries with a 9-yard TD. He then started versus Nebraska and ran for a game-best 70 yards on 9 carries. He ran for a game-high 130 yards on 21 carries as the starter at Arizona, with a 9-yard TD run and other runs of 40 and 30 yards (he also lost a yard on a reception) to earn Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week honors. He added 69 yards on 8 carries (including a 48-yard run) at Washington State, 67 yards on 15 rushes versus Washington, 29 yards on 6 carries against Arizona State, 8 yards on 3 carries at Oregon State, 26 yards on 9 rushes and 40 yards on 2 receptions at Stanford and he had a 2-yard carry before spraining his ankle against Oregon.

HIGH SCHOOL: He made 2005 Parade All-American, Prep Star Dream Team, ESPN 150, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, Super Prep All-Southwest, Prep Star All-Midlands and All-District first team as a senior running back at Coppell (Tex.) High...He ran for 1,170 yards and 14 TDs in 2005...As a junior in 2004, he was All-District 6-5A first team as he rushed for 1,319 yards with 12 TDs.

EMMANUEL MOODY ON: His expectations: "I came here expecting great things. I came in wanting to be great like the other running back who have played here."

His on-field moves: "That might be from my mom's side, the Asian side. You know, the quickness. I really don't know. It might be the Korean in me. It's just a gift God's blessed me with."

The competition at tailback: "It's good competition, it's healthy. If you can handle it, it can only make you better...The toughest part is practice. I'm going against probably the No. 1 defense in the nation, and they come after you like a bunch of dogs every day. They get me prepared for Saturdays."

His biracial heritage (his father is African American and his mother is Korean American): "When I was younger growing up in a Korean American community in Texas, there was a lot of prejudice. The Korean kids saw me only as a black person. So I was bitter towards them. But as I grew up, as I learned and became more mature, I came to love my Korean side...USC has it all. It's a perfect fit. I've been taken in by the Korean American neighborhoods in Los Angeles. I'm getting a world class education. Being here is helping me understand the world better, helping me grow as a person."

Using football: "I don't want football to use me. I want to use football. I want to find a way to use football, to go beyond the game, to reach and to help people."

WHAT OTHERS SAY: USC head coach Pete Carroll: "He's an explosive guy who can make big plays. He makes people miss, he's explosive, he finishes runs and breaks tackles. He makes some things happen that are unique."

Former USC All-American wide receiver Steve Smith: "He's so slippery. He's so explosive. He's a game-breaker. When he gets more confidence, he could be a great player...He reminds me of a young Reggie Bush. He explodes through the line. He makes huge plays and long runs."

TCB YDS AVG TD LG REC YDS AVG TD LG
2006 (Fr.) 79 459 5.8 2 48 3 39 13.0 0 33

[Spearit]

Looking at rivals.com and Emmanual Moody shows reels of him running. He is fast around the end- he jukes back and then to the side (Emmitt Smith) in the middle of the field to avoid a tackle- he blocks well but I did not see him catch a pass. Although he caught a couple at USC.
He also breaks thru the line quickly! At Florida we have a some speed at tailback but we do not have the quickness to change our running routes as this character shows!

[KJ1000]

is he eligible to play this year or does have to sit a year?

[Spearit]

Good Question- However, I believe he is eligible to play this year. He must be outside the conference, however. Not official- just what the rules use to be!

[Spearit]

Done deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Former USC running back Emmanuel Moody said Monday he will transfer to Florida.


"I followed my heart," said Moody, the Trojans' second-leading rusher last season. "It's when you get that feeling that you know something is right and you can't really describe."

Moody ran for 459 yards and two touchdowns at USC, averaging a team-high 5.8 yards per rush last season. He said he left the program because of the depth at his position, citing a "business decision" and his need to be the featured back.

Of the Gators, Moody said, "They get their playmakers the ball."

[kbsooner21]

Good Question- However, I believe he is eligible to play this year. He must be outside the conference, however. Not official- just what the rules use to be!

Divison 1 transfers must sit out a year.

[Spearit]

Dang! He will be welcomed when he is ready!