Moody to Florida; Holland Denied

2–3 minutes

August 27, 2007

Emmanuel Moody.jpg
Former Trojan tailback Emmanuel Moody will play for the Florida Gators. Images parodied from Veritography and USC bookstore.

Former USC tailback Emmanuel Moody will head east to Gainesville, to try his hand (and legs) at the other southern end of the country. As speculated, Moody has officially transferred to the national champion Florida Gators. Despite being the Trojans’ second most productive back last season, Moody was set back by a bruised knee and stymied by the stiff competition from the other nine tailbacks on the Trojan roster.

When discussing his reasons for transfer, Moody has repeatedly brought up that he did not join the Trojans to share in the rotation but rather to be the star running back. His slide down the USC depth chart solidified his desire to leave. As reported on Scout.com, Moody had this to say about his transfer to Florida:

“Honestly, it’s a blessing,” Moody said. “I’ve been given a second chance, and I just thank God for the opportunity. I just hope to improve and keep on improving so I can continue to play at this level.”

“I told Florida that I was coming,” he said. “I made my decision, that’s my word and I’m sticking to it…my heart was in it for Florida, and I feel like that’s the place for me. I want to help the team out while continuing my collegiate career.”

Speedster receiver Jamere Holland, who Carroll dismissed from the team this August, will not be granted a release from USC if he chooses to go to Florida. Holland has listed Florida as one of his top transfer choices. But as reported by Scott Wolf of the Daily News, Holland’s potential transfer to Florida may have been unfairly influenced by his former high school coach.

Holland, who left the team and was dismissed by USC coach Pete Carroll last week, listed Florida as one of five schools on his release form. But USC will not grant the release because Holland’s former coach at Taft High of Woodland Hills, Troy Starr, works at Florida as director of football operations.

Their close relationship apparently disturbs some within USC’s athletic department who believe Starr and Holland probably communicated before Holland transferred.

Holland could not be reached for comment. Carroll will not comment on Holland’s situation. “He’s not here anymore,” Carroll said.

David Keeling

August 27, 2007 at 12:21 pm

Too much of a coincidence…Moody & Holland wanting to transfer to the same school. Carroll has every right to draw the line. Hope some investigation happens to see if there is a connection.

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BigBalls D-Man

August 27, 2007 at 7:00 pm

Amen to that. If Holland claims he didn’t talk to his former coach, that’s total BS…

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Travis

August 27, 2007 at 7:31 pm

I think Holland should be allowed to go anywhere he wants. To be honest he really didn’t accomplish all that much at USC and taking into account his amazing tendency towards injuries how productive would he be for them.

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Defender90

August 27, 2007 at 10:14 pm

How accomplished he was/wasn’t, how likedly he is/isn’t to be injured isn’t the issue. If he was talking to his former high school coach (who is now the football operations guy for UF) while he was still on the USC roster, that’s not cool – and that’s not even taking the Moody coincidence into it.

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Joe

August 28, 2007 at 9:17 am

Can someone explain to me how this is fair? Carroll could leave USC and coach anywhere in the country without needing “permission” and without sitting out for a year. Any student on academic scholarship can transfer at any time to any school without penalty. I guarantee that within the next ten years this rule will change. If it isn’t changed by the NCAA then it will be done through the court system. USC is illegally restricting a student’s right to an education.

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DeTrojan

August 28, 2007 at 9:59 am

Joe, you are obviously missing the bigger picture here. But what else could you expect from your Florida education.

The rule is established so that bigger schools (ie. schools with better football records/teams) don’t go picking and choosing their rosters by stealing the best players from other collegiate football teams. Otherwise it would be a free for all. Big schools would be offering better scholarships and enticing the best players from other schools.

It’s just not fair practice. The rule is established to help the little guys from unfair recruitment.

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Travis

August 28, 2007 at 4:57 pm

What I find strange about this whole thing is the fact that people think this is some conspiracy by Florida. i would like to believe that they could do better then to go out of their way to get at best an injury riddled 3rd string receiver. By this rational I suppose that Arkansas fans can say that we stole both Mustain and Williams.

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The Dude

August 29, 2007 at 6:07 pm

Okay, I got to back up Joe here. What gives?

Your purported rationale — that big schools ought not be able to poach the talent from little schools — is fine and dandy, but has no hold when you are talking about two big schools. I suppose that you have a hidden premise that we need a broad rule that applies equally to all schools, big and small. Okay, I can live with that. Still none of this would apply to USC’s moves to prevent Holland’s transfer to another PAC-10 school.

But – the fact that USC has just been cleaning up in the recruiting game since Carroll arrived makes this whole affair really ugly. Carroll has always more than his fair share of savoir-faire, but I think he’s really screwed the pooch here. He should’ve let the poor kid go wherever he wanted. He was pretty far down on the depth chart, and to protest as much as he has makes him look bad.

For instance, the Joe McKnight call with Bush, the DJ rent from Leinart’s dad thing, and other possible scandals have passed without hardly making even a wrinkle in Carroll’s smile. This is a good thing. Why is he going to make such a big stink now?

There are two general truths that totally fit this situation.
1. Everyone’s shit stinks.
2. When you try to force someone to do something against their will without paying them, it starts to look like a whole like slavery.

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Stan

August 29, 2007 at 10:52 pm

Officer Barbrady! Officer Barbrady! Shananigans! Shennanigans! I call Shennanigans on USC on behalf of Holland! Get your brooms! Shennanigans have been called!

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gatorgrads

September 1, 2007 at 4:16 am

If he was dismissed by USC and he did not ask to leave originally why would you all care where he wants to go! I agree maybe not in the same confrence but 2000 plus miles away. Unless you are worried Urban will be able to do more with his talents then your coahing staff; similar to what Florida did last year. Reports always has USC with a top 5 recruit class and plays in a weak league but still can not close the deal when they play a good team from and good league.

Look up this fact see who is the only public university that is a memeber of the AAU (American Association of Universities) which is reserved for the top schools in the country. You have to get invited just not sign up.

So you left coast cry babies actually show up and fill you stadiums or come down and get a treat of some football, SEC footbal. (I did live in San Diego for two years so I know what it is like out there and the weak support for your teams, except the Raiders!)

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Katie Holt

November 28, 2007 at 11:22 am

If they both want to transfer to gainsville fla. to become part of the florida gators football team it shouldnt matter! They have all the right to transfer to a new school if they want! Plus florida is the best team and i dont blame them for wanting to be apart of such a great team! Also U.F is a great school to attend! Im going there when I graduate High school in 2010!

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yea.

September 11, 2008 at 4:48 pm

wow i know jamere hes a cool dude. hes good at football he lead our high school to the city finals. and usc is mad that he wants to go to florida and win for them against usc. this bullshit.

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