LINCOLN, Neb. -- Running back Braylon Heard and defensive tackle Chase Rome have left the Nebraska football program.

Coach Bo Pelini announced the players' departures Wednesday at his signing-day news conference. Pelini said both players plan to transfer after finishing the spring semester at Nebraska.

Heard appeared in 12 games as a sophomore backup to Ameer Abdullah. He rushed 52 times for 348 yards and three touchdowns.

Rome started three of 11 games as a sophomore and made 19 tackles. Rome quit the team for a week in September, with Pelini saying at the time that Rome's "personal goals and personal perception of where he should be on this football team doesn't match the team goals."