Aaron Corp leaving USC for University of Richmond

USC quarterback Aaron Corp, who won the starting job last spring but was displaced by Matt Barkley after being injured in training camp, announced Thursday that he was transferring to the University of Richmond.

Corp will begin classes at Richmond on Monday and participate in spring practice. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining and can play in the coming season because Richmond is in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-AA.

“Richmond allowed me the opportunity to compete and play right away and I was very comfortable meeting with Coach [Latrell] Scott and his staff,” Corp said in a statement. “The university has a tremendous football program and is nationally recognized for its academics, especially in my major of international studies.”

Corp’s transfer was not unexpected after a season in which Coach Pete Carroll and quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates refused to consider replacing Barkley, even when the freshman struggled throughout most of the second half of a 9-4 season.

Carroll said he was happy for Corp.

“He’ll get a chance to play right now,” Carroll said. “I think it’s a big statement about Matt Barkley. Aaron’s a great kid and I hope nothing but the very best for him.”

Corp appeared on his way to becoming Mark Sanchez’s successor before he suffered a leg injury in August.

He started one game in place of Barkley -- who suffered a shoulder injury against Ohio State -- completing 13 of 22 passes for 110 yards with an interception in the Trojans’ 16-13 loss at Washington on Sept. 19. Corp said afterward that coaches had not told him he would start against the Huskies. In the ensuing weeks, Corp fell to No. 3 on the depth chart behind Barkley and Mitch Mustain.

Corp’s father said his son had a positive experience at USC.

“He liked being there, liked playing there and loved being a Trojan,” Chris Corp said. “But that was conflicting with his passion to play ball and what he determined were in his long-term best interests.”

Corp’s departure leaves the Trojans with three quarterbacks for spring football:

* Barkley, who passed for 15 touchdowns with 14 interceptions in 12 games.

* Mustain, who started eight games as a freshman at Arkansas in 2006 but has been utilized at USC only after outcomes have been decided.

* Walk-on John Manoogian.

Richmond finished 11-2 last season.

“This is an exciting time at the University of Richmond and we are thrilled to welcome Aaron to the Spider football family,” Scott said. “He is a standout football player, an even better young man and we’re expecting him to compete for playing time in the spring.”

gary.klein@latimes.com