LOS ANGELES — For most of the season, USC's coaches have decided not to play Vidal Hazelton. He finally decided he will no longer play for USC.

The junior receiver filed the paperwork to transfer Tuesday.

"A lot of things have been going on," he said. "I've been praying about it and I came to the decision it's best for me to go back home."

This is the second transfer in three weeks for USC, which saw running back Broderick Green leave amidst little playing time and family concerns.

Hazelton said his primary reason for leaving is that his grandfather, who lives in Staten Island, has been diagnosed with cancer.

The New York native, who led all USC wide receivers in catches in 2007, has also seen his role diminish drastically this season.

"That played a big factor in it," he said. "Definitely. It was definitely frustrating. I've been trying to have fun. I've been trying to make the best out of whatever I had."

Hazelton, who has battled injuries and a significant fall on the depth chart, has just one reception in the past 10 games while playing a handful of snaps in each contest.

He asked coaches about seeking a medical hardship after a second ankle sprain but said they requested he play out the season.

Around that time, a letter from Hazelton's father, written to Coach Pete Carroll, leaked on the Internet. In it, Dexter Hazelton criticizes the team medical staff for not properly treating his son's initial ankle injury.

Dexter said he thinks the letter and a personal rift with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is partly the reason his son didn't play.

"I know that him (Vidal) being in the doghouse had a lot to do with me and Sarkisian," Dexter said.

Sarkisian said it was all about football.

"He's just not as good as the other three guys," Sarkisian said of Hazelton. "He wasn't playing as well."

Receivers coach John Morton agreed with Sarkisian, citing the success of Damian Williams, Patrick Turner and Ronald Johnson. But there appeared to be some internal disagreement, as Morton said he often pushed for Hazelton to get more playing time.

"He had plays in the game plan," Morton said. "Whether they get called, that's up to Sark (and) whatever the situation is."

Carroll said he is not concerned about what impact losing a second high-profile national recruit might have on the program this season.

"This is a very difficult program," Carroll said. "It's not for everybody. These guys made decisions for their own situations."