The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh receiver Larry Fitzgerald sidestepped questions Wednesday about whether he will return next season or try to enter the NFL draft.

In what might have been a telling comment, though, Fitzgerald emphasized Pitt's offense will be in transition next season without quarterback Rod Rutherford - possibly an indication the NFL is becoming more and more attractive to Fitzgerald, who has 87 receptions for 1,595 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.

Asked about his future at Pitt, Fitzgerald talked only about the near term - his role as a recruiter, not a receiver. He said finances won't enter into the decision because he can afford to remain in school without any immediate money worries.

"This team is going to be in a rebuilding year next year, (but) I think I can be a piece of the puzzle in attracting some big-time recruits," he said. "We have a lot of guys coming on visits this week that can impact the program. I want to help the program any way I can."

The NFL allows college players into the draft once they've been out of high school for three years. Fitzgerald is a sophomore at Pitt, but his high school class graduated in 2001 and he spent a year at a prep school before enrolling at Pitt in 2002.

HEISMAN FINALISTS: Fitzgerald, Oklahoma quarterback Jason White, Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning and Michigan running back Chris Perry officially were named finalists for the Heisman Trophy. The winner will be announced Saturday at the Yale Club in New York.

MACKEY AWARD: Miami's Kellen Winslow Jr. won the John Mackey Award for best tight end, finishing ahead of Florida's Ben Troupe and Pitt's Kris Wilson in voting. Winslow, whose father, a former tight end, is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, leads Miami with 55 catches, 11 shy of the school season record.

LOUISIANA-MONROE: Todd Berry, fired as Army's coach, was hired as offensive coordinator. He will work under Charlie Weatherbie, who coached Navy from 1995-2001.