Emmanuel Moody

Infobox NCAA Athlete
name = Emmanuel Moody


caption =
college = Florida
conference = SEC
sport = Football
position = RB
jersey = 21
class = Sophomore
career_start = 2006
nickname =
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 206
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1987|2|21
birth_place = Coppell, Texas
highschool = Coppell HS,
Coppell, Texas
former_school(s)= Southern California
awards =

Emmanuel Moody (born February 21, 1987 in Coppell, Texas) is an American football running back for the University of Florida (UF) Gators football team.

Early career

Moody was born to Young Sun (née Chang) and Eugene Moody as the youngest of three children, raised in the Dallas, Texas area. His father left the family early, leaving him to be raised by his mother and her younger brother, Michael Chang. Moody's uncle began helping him practice and train for football after seeing how well he performed in pee wee football.David Wharton, [http://scfootball.blogspot.com/2006/10/favorite-uncle.html Favorite Uncle] , "Los Angeles Times", October 4, 2006, Accessed July 12, 2008.]

Physically a late bloomer, coaches initially hesitated to put him in the running back role that he desired. When his family moved to the suburb of Coppell, Texas, Coppell High School already had a highly regarded senior running back, one of the best in school history, and asked the sophomore Moody to spend a season at wide receiver. After insistence by himself and his uncle, Moody was allowed to play running back at the junior varsity level. During that time, Moody grew taller and put on 25 pounds. His junior season saw him rise to the varsity team where he finishing the season with 1,319 yards and 12 touchdowns. His abilities attracted interest from a number of prominent college football programs, notably Texas, Miami and Southern California. Texas originally received a verbal commitment; but USC running back coach Ken Norton was able to eventually persuade Moody to change his commitment to the Trojans, enticing him to the challenge of competing against a number of other talented running backs.David Wharton, [http://scfootball.blogspot.com/2006/10/favorite-uncle.html Favorite Uncle] , "Los Angeles Times", October 4, 2006, Accessed July 12, 2008.]

College career

University of Southern California (2006–2007)

Moody started his college career at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. As a true freshman, Moody was the second leading rusher in the 2006 season, gaining 458 yards on 79 carries in a rotating platoon of running backs. He was named the Pacific 10 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2006.Mark Schlabach, [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?id=3337768 USC transfer Moody laboring in Florida's spread offense] , ESPN.com, April 9, 2008, Accessed September 8, 2008.]

In the summer before the 2007 season, he was featured as one of three USC running backs on the regional cover of "Sports Illustrated"'s college football preview edition.Gary Klein, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/17/sports/sp-usc17 Off the Deep End] , "Los Angeles Times", August 17, 2007, Accessed July 3, 2008.] Gary Klein, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/16/sports/sp-uscrep16 Tailback Moody to transfer] , "Los Angeles Times", August 16, 2007, Accessed July 3, 2008.]

The Trojans entered their 2007 fall training camp with a high number of scholarship running backs (10), all of which were highly touted recruits; in August, midway through camp, Moody announced he was transferring from USC.Gary Klein, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/16/sports/sp-uscrep16 Tailback Moody to transfer] , "Los Angeles Times", August 16, 2007, Accessed July 3, 2008.] Looking to be a featured player, Moody stated he had "felt forgotten" coming into training camp because of an ankle injury that forced him to sit out the Trojans' last four games of the 2006 season and a hamstring injury that caused him to sit out nearly all of spring practice; he then bruised his knee at a mid-camp scrimmage and had to sit out further.Gary Klein, [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/17/sports/sp-usc17 Off the Deep End] , "Los Angeles Times", August 17, 2007, Accessed July 3, 2008.] After looking at several schools, including Oklahoma State and North Carolina, Moody transferred to the University of Florida.Joe Schad, [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2992872 Moody says he will transfer to Gator country] , ESPN.com, August 27, 2007, Accessed May 30, 2008.]

University of Florida (2007–present)

As per NCAA transfer rules, Moody was forced to sit out the 2007 season with the Florida Gators; but was permitted to play on the scout team. Welcomed by a team that needed a power running back to relieve quaterback Tim Tebow, Moody had some difficulties adapting to the spread offense used by the Gators.Mark Schlabach, [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?id=3337768 USC transfer Moody laboring in Florida's spread offense] , ESPN.com, April 9, 2008, Accessed September 8, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2008&player_id=158 University of Florida bio]