USC

Quincy Woods reappeared Friday, four days after leaving camp when he was told he wasn’t in the race for No. 1 or No. 2 quarterback.

Woods met with Coach Paul Hackett after the morning practice and by the afternoon was working out with the receivers.

“I’m not saying I’ll never be a quarterback again. Right now, I’ve got to try a different position,” said Woods, who became the second veteran quarterback to switch positions.

John Fox, who started nine games last season, moved to tight end after sophomore Mike Van Raaphorst nailed down the starter’s job and freshman Carson Palmer emerged as No. 2.

“There were times in camp, I couldn’t sleep at night. I had to leave,” Woods said. “My heart was at quarterback.

“I just took some time, wandered around L.A., thought about things and called my mom and my brothers.

“I came back because I love the game I’ve played all my life. . . . I love USC. It’s a top program, a top university and I have two years left.”

Hackett and the team welcomed him back.

“Making a change like that is pretty dramatic when you’ve been a quarterback all your life,” Hackett said.

Woods, a junior who redshirted as a freshman, was a Parade All-American at Rich East High in suburban Chicago, passing for 2,240 yards and rushing for 700 as a senior. But he has appeared in only six games for USC, attempting 12 passes, and his option style isn’t a fit with the Trojan offense.

He played receiver briefly last season after losing the quarterback battle but didn’t catch a pass.

“I know all the routes [from playing quarterback]. Now it’s a matter of learning how to run the routes.”

Woods’ return was a surprise to many of his teammates after he packed most of his belongings when he left Monday.

“I didn’t take everything,” Woods said. “I left my underwear.”

*

A cheer went up at the end of practice Friday when Hackett canceled both of today’s practices--giving the players the weekend off until Sunday, when Hackett plans to close practices as they begin game preparations for Purdue on Aug. 30.

“Two-a-days are officially over,” Hackett said. “I don’t think they believe it.

“They’re exhausted. A bunch of guys are nicked. This seems like the best thing for them.”