By DAVID JONES
Florida Today

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida junior quarterback Rex Grossman came within just a couple of clutch passes of possibly winning the Heisman Trophy and playing for the national championship a year ago.

He came back in 2002 to try to accomplish both and came up empty on both cases. But on Saturday, the Bloomington, Ind., native decided to chase his dream of the NFL rather than come back for one more season with the Gators.

"I have made my decision to enter the 2003 NFL draft and forgo my senior year at the University of Florida," Grossman said in a statement issued by the school.

"It was a very difficult decision for me because I love being a Gator and the whole program has been so good to me.

"I would like to thank Coach (Ron) Zook, Coach (Steve) Spurrier, and (athletic director) Jeremy Foley for the opportunity they have given me. I would also like to thank the fans and all my teammates for all of their support. Once a Gator always a Gator."

Grossman, who has scheduled a Monday press conference to further explain his decision, was 23-8 as a starting quarterback.

In his three-year career, he completed 677 of 1,110 passes for 9,164 yards and 77 touchdowns. His pass efficiency rating of 147.25 ranks him 17th all-time in NCAA Division I-A, just ahead of Tennessee's Peyton Manning (147.1 in 1994-97).

His finished his college career third in Southeastern Conference history in TD passes and had a school record 17 300-yard passing games.

"I got close to him in a short period of time," Zook said. "I'm appreciative of what Rex has done for this university. We know he'll be successful in his new endeavor."

Junior defensive end Clint Mitchell may also be close to announcing that he is leaving for the NFL.

Florida could be getting an immediate replacement for Grossman.

At halftime of Sunday night's U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio for high school seniors, Chris Leak of Charlotte, N.C., will announce his college choice on ESPN2. It's expected to be Florida.

Grossman passed for 3,402 yards and 22 touchdowns this season while setting school records for attempts (503) and completions (287) but struggled adjusting to a new offense after the departure of Spurrier for the NFL's Washington Redskins.

The Bloomington, Ind., native threw for 3,896 yards and 34 TDs in 2001 while finishing runner-up in the Heisman Trophy race.

Grossman's departure would put Leak in immediate competition for the Florida quarterback job with freshmen Gavin Dickey and Patrick Dosh and sophomore Ingle Martin.

Iowa, Florida State, Texas and Southern California are also on Leak's list of top five schools. He passed for 5,193 yards and 64 touchdowns - both state prep records - and was named the North Carolina Associated Press state high school player of the year on Friday in a unanimous vote.

He has hinted in various interviews that Florida is the leader to win his services.

This weekend is a "quiet" period for recruiting at the conclusion of bowl season. College coaches are allowed to call recruits but can't have them on campus for visits. Next weekend, however, the final push for national signing day heats up.

Florida is scheduled to have visits from about a dozen of its top recruits next weekend, including Tampa wide receiver Andre Caldwell - the brother of former Gator Reche Caldwell.

Among those expected in Gainesville next week for a final look at the program, in addition to Caldwell: Defensive end Richard Cook (6-4, 265), defensive back Quinton Culberson (6-2, 205), defensive tackle Andre Fluellen (6-4, 270), linebacker Robert Killebrew (6-2, 205), offensive lineman Carlton Medder (6-7, 220), tight end D.J. Norrris (6-3, 240), defensive back Miguel Scott (6-1, 180), defensive tackle Carnell Stewart (6-6, 297), running back Demetris Summers (6-1, 200) and running back Skyler Thornton (6-0, 195).

It will be the most important weekend to date for the Gators' recruiting hopes.

Palm Bay High School defensive end Joe Cohen has scheduled a visit for Jan. 17. The Gators were a long shot to get him coming into January. But they will make a big push. Defensive linemen are a priority - made even more important after losing Ian Scott, who announced Friday he's leaving for the NFL.

Florida went into the weekend with 11 commitments, including five junior college players that were able to sign during the JUCO period in mid-December.

If Leak selects the Gators as expected, it would be the second time in four years Florida has signed the USA TODAY national prep player of the year.

In 2000, Brock Berlin signed with the Gators but after failing to win the starting quarterback job from Grossman after two seasons, transferred last spring to Miami and redshirted this past season. He will be eligible to play for the Hurricanes next fall as a junior.