TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Second-team quarterback Phillip Sims plans to transfer, sources close to the Alabama football team have told al.com's Tuscaloosa Bureau.

An official announcement is expected later this afternoon.

UPDATE: Alabama just sent a news release making the news official.

"This was a very difficult decision because I've had a great experience at the University of Alabama and I'm thankful for the opportunity this program provided me," Sims said in the news release. "I want to thank Coach Saban and the coaching staff for being with me and my family at this time. I wouldn't change anything about my decision to come to Alabama and this has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The reason for me leaving is nothing more than a personal matter. I just need to be closer to home to support my family at this time and that needs to be my priority right now. I would still like to continue my football career, and hopefully I can do that and also be there for my family."

Sims, a Parade All-American from Chesapeake, Va., was redshirted in 2010 and competed for the starting position last spring and fall but lost to AJ McCarron.

Sims played in eight games last fall and completed 18 of 28 passes for 163 yards. He had not touchdown passes and had two passes intercepted.

He battled a sore shoulder in this spring but led the White team to a 24-15 victory over the Crimson team in the A-Day game on April 14. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns. He did not have a pass intercepted.

"Phillip has been a great representative of our program and did a great job for us in his two years here," Alabama coach Nick Saban said in the news release. "We are sorry to see him leave, but we certainly understand the situation, and everyone here wishes him the best of luck. We've talked on numerous occasions about this decision and we just want Phillip to know that we will be here to support him in the future if there is anything we can do to help him and his family."

Sims might be considering a transfer to Virginia, but that part of his decision is not yet clear.

Sims' decision to leave the Alabama program would mean redshirt-freshman-to-be Phillip Ely moves up to the second-team quarterback. Alec Morris is a quarterback from Allen, Texas who signed in February and is expected on campus this summer.