Moody’s mood lifted by decision

For the first time in weeks, Emmanuel Moody appeared completely at ease.

He walked away from Heritage Hall on Friday afternoon with no bags of ice strapped to his bruised knee and, perhaps more telling, sporting a grin.

Moody, a sophomore tailback who was USC’s second-leading rusher last season, said he was at peace with his decision to transfer to another school in search of a featured role.

“I had to make a business decision for my future,” he said. “I think it was the right thing to do.”

Moody was one of 10 tailbacks on the depth chart when USC opened training camp two weeks ago. He said last week that he had arrived feeling forgotten -- and with something to prove after injuries forced him to miss the final four games last season and nearly all of spring practice.

But on Friday, he did not begrudge Pete Carroll and his staff for bringing in freshmen tailbacks Joe McKnight, Broderick Green and Marc Tyler a year after landing Moody, C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson and Allen Bradford.

“There’s no rough ends,” said Moody, who attended high school in Texas. “SC had to do what they had to do. Everyone was criticizing them for getting a lot of backs but think about if you’re in [USC’s] situation: We would all do the same. So I can’t blame them for that.”

USC players had expressed surprise Thursday when they learned of Moody’s transfer plans. Moody and Gable started nine games between them in 2006, while Bradford and Johnson got only 13 and three carries, respectively.

Bradford said Moody’s leaving would not influence him to consider doing the same.

“I’m just going to stay and wait my turn,” he said. “I don’t have no feelings on leaving right now.”

Johnson, who is having a productive training camp, also said he would not follow Moody’s lead.

“No,” he said. “I’m still in the competitive mode.”

Asked if he would be surprised if others eventually transfer, Moody said, “It depends what you want. If you’re happy here, you stay here. You go with your instincts no matter what, like no matter where you’re on the depth chart.

“If you’re happy and you like being close to home, you do what’s right. I just felt that this was the right decision to make for me.”

Moody acknowledged rumors that he would transfer to Oklahoma State, but declined to name other schools he was considering.

“I’m just going to open it up kind of like I’m a high school recruit again,” he said.

However, when asked if he would prefer to attend school close to his home state of Texas, he said, “Oklahoma State is definitely an option because it’s only three hours from my house. But it’s just, they’re on the list.”

By transferring now rather than at the end of training camp, Moody will be eligible to enroll for the fall semester or quarter at a new school and will be eligible in 2008.

“Timing-wise it couldn’t be any better,” he said.

Vincent Joseph is making a speedy run at possibly becoming USC’s No. 1 kickoff returner, but he said he could just as well be the guy who blocks.

“When you’re a little undersized, people get deceived, like I’m not going to hit [them],” said Joseph, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound sophomore. “But I’ll lay a little boom on you.”

Joseph might have no choice but to carry the ball if he continues to perform as he has through the first two weeks of training camp. He returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown against the scout team in the Trojans’ second scrimmage at the Coliseum.

“He’s making a pitch for himself,” Carroll said.

Carroll canceled Friday’s practice to allow players to rest.

“The guys have been working like crazy,” he said. “We can come back mentally and physically ready to go at it. It seemed like the right time by the reaction of the players.

“Let’s just say it was well received.”

USC is scheduled to practice today at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

gary.klein@latimes.com