AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- All-conference linebacker Anthony Schlegel is transferring from Air Force for personal reasons.

Schlegel, a first-team all-Mountain West Conference selection last season, is leaving this week but hasn't decided where he will go.

"The Academy and a career in the military is not for everyone," Schlegel said. "It just comes down to doing what is in my best interests. I realized that a career in the military is not what I want right now. It's tough to leave the Academy because of my brothers (teammates) and the coaches, but this is what is best for me right now."

Schlegel, a sophomore, led the Falcons and was third in the Mountain West with 118 tackles. He was the first Air Force player since 1997 to eclipse 100 tackles in a season and he finished with 40 more than his closest teammate.

Schlegel had 19 tackles against Notre Dame on Oct. 19, the most by an Air Force player since 1997, and was the defensive player of the game at the San Francisco Bowl on Dec. 31 after notching 12 tackles in Air Force's 20-13 loss to Virginia Tech.

Schlegel started all 13 games in 2002 and started the final six games as a freshman.

"I hate to see Anthony leave," Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry said. "This is a big blow to our football team. He possesses a tremendous passion for the game and we're very proud of what he accomplished while he was a part of Falcon football."