Florida coach Ron Zook. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Even before recruiting season resumes, Florida coach Ron Zook is trying to sell the Gators — to quarterback Rex Grossman.

        The new Florida coach talked to the sophomore quarterback for the second time Thursday and said he still hadn't gotten the commitment he's hoping for from the Heisman Trophy runner-up, who might jump to the NFL now that Steve Spurrier is gone.

        “The thing I tried to do is explain to Rex is what it was going to be like,” Zook told The Associated Press. “He had concerns about what we were going to do offensively, and rightfully so. It's a tough decision for him. We want him back. The University of Florida wants him back. But the football team understands this is a decision Rex has to make.”

        Grossman's father, Dan, said his son hadn't decided as of Thursday evening whether to return or enter the NFL draft. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is today.

        • Brock Berlin, the Florida quarterback who rode the bench most of the last two seasons behind Grossman, said Thursday night he is transferring to the University of Miami.

        “I've decided to leave the University of Florida and head down to the University of Miami,” Berlin said at a hastily called news conference in his hometown. “I just wanted to make sure I was making the right choice. I felt good about it. I was looking for the best situation for me.”

        The announcement wasn't unexpected, but the timing was. Berlin had said earlier that he would make the decision soon after Florida played Maryland in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 2.

        But all decisions were put on hold when coach Steve Spurrier unexpectedly resigned last week.

        Also, receiver Jabar Gaffney said Thursday night he will leave the Gators and enter the NFL draft. Gaffney, an All-American who caught 67 passes for 1,191 yards in his sophomore season, is a likely first-round draft pick.

        DECISIONS, DECISIONS:

        As today's deadline for underclassmen to declare themselves eligible for the draft approached, numerous players around the country announced their decisions.

        Leading the group of players who announced they would enter the draft was LSU wide receiver Josh Reed, whose average of 145.0 yards a game led the nation.

        Reed won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver and established two Sugar Bowl records — 14 catches for 239 yards — in the Tigers' 47-34 win over Illinois.

        Among those joining Reed were T.J. Duckett, Michigan State's fifth-leading career rusher; Boston College running back William Green, a consensus second-team All-America pick in 2001 and the country's second-leading rusher (1,559 yards); and Tennessee receiver Donte Stallworth, who had 41 catches for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns.

        By contrast, Jimmy Kennedy, a two-time All-Big Ten defensive tackle, said he will return to Penn State for his senior season.

        INDIANA:

        Gerry DiNardo wants to change the way football works at IU.

        DiNardo, named the Hoosiers' new coach Tuesday, intends to visit every high school in Indiana over the next two to three years.

        He will use a balanced offensive attack, rather than the option attack of the last four years, and will place much greater emphasis on player evaluation.

        “We are going to have a system in place that will be on the cutting edge of evaluating high school talent,” DiNardo said Thursday. “We are going to try to develop, within the rules, a personnel department.”

        DiNardo's plans are a direct result of his previous head coaching stint, with the Birmingham Bolts of the XFL.

        DiNardo will make at least $530,000 a year and could earn as much as $780,000 if the Hoosiers win a national championship, the university has announced.

        SENIOR COACHES:

        Seattle's Mike Holmgren will coach the North team in the Jan.26 Senior Bowl, and Arizona's Dave McGinnis will lead the South.

Sports Stories

Florida's Zook tries to get QB to stay Duke rebounds with 25-point win Sanders leads NKU men to 10th victory, 70-55 Shaky Wildcat team looks to right ship Women: NKU 82, Wisconsin-Parkside 67 Ducks sink Admirals behind Zinger's goals Turfway Park cancels races Bruins shut out Kings Malone, Jazz beat Rockets Coming up this week

DAUGHERTY: Have local prep stars slipped by?
Maxiell says best yet to come
XU plan: No foul, no harm
Coach Crable denies allegations
Anderson follows correct path
Aviators' flight has been surprise
Basketball team bonds off court
New programs hope to hit growth spurt
Chaminade-Julienne hands Springboro first loss
McAuley's Rust honored
Oak Hills triumphs in summit meeting
Kentucky girls basketball
Ohio girls basketball
Wrestling: Many schools battling to become area's best in Division I
Pokey's return not ruled out
Reds notebook
Yankees sign David Wells
Baseball notebook