Updated: projected OL starter takes a semester off from Nebraska

A promising future for one of Nebraska’s offensive lineman has been put on hold.

Coach Bo Pelini announced Saturday after practice that sophomore lineman Tyler Moore has left the team temporarily for what’s being amounted to personal reasons, although would not explain further.

“We’ll see where that goes,” Pelini said. “I’m not exactly sure if that’s going to be permanent or not permanent. He’s working through some things personally.”

Rumors of Moore’s departure have been circulating for the past few days with the Florida native not at practice or team meetings. But Pelini added that the door is open for Moore’s return. Whether or not he will return remains to be seen as it’s unclear (officially) why he’s taken the leave.

Moore became the first true freshman offensive lineman ever to start a season opener for Nebraska. He went on to start the first four games at right tackle in 2011 and was expected to be named the starting left tackle this fall.

Updated 8/12 @2:34 p.m. ET: In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Moore’s father, Brian Moore, said the lineman is taking a semester off from Nebraska.

“He is back home. He had some things he wasn’t happy about at Nebraska, and he’s going to come home to get his head straight,” Moore said Monday. “He’ll take classes at St. Pete College, and then in January he’ll make a decision.”

That decision should boil down to three options: go back to Nebraska, or transfer to Florida or Florida State.

“He just wasn’t enjoying himself,” Moore said. “And if he’s not enjoying himself, I don’t want him to do it.”