"We've talked about it for a couple days. It was not a snap decision," Trojans coach Pete Carroll said after practice today. "He's of the mind that he needs to move on. He's looking for an opportunity where he can be a featured guy.

"I feel bad he's been banged up and not looked his best lately in camp. He did well for us last year, and the first part of camp before getting hurt."

Moody, a 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 camp as one of 10 players competing for playing time at tailback.

"This will make the opportunities better for the kids still here," Carroll said. "Guys come here and know they'll play. If they lose that feeling, they're not going to fit. (Moody) didn't leave here disgruntled — he's a great kid. He just thought he'd get a chance somewhere where the competition is different. He was at peace with his decision and said he had no regrets.

"It's tough here," Carroll said. "It's as challenging as it can get. That's the central theme of our program — competition. This place isn't for everyone. Guys can have a change of heart."

Moody bruised his knee in a scrimmage Sunday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum, and didn't practice after that.

"He had had a tremendous fall camp until he got banged up," Carroll said. "I'm not surprised if someone wants to leave. But we're not as right (at tailback) as it seems. We're not practicing with 10 guys because some guys have been banged up. And we're losing four guys off this depth chart next season.