GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida quarterback Brock Berlin said Monday it's almost a sure thing he'll transfer after the season.

"It's more than likely," Berlin said. "I'm looking around at some different places and trying to find the best place for me."

Coach Steve Spurrier has granted Berlin permission to look elsewhere. The sophomore from Shreveport, La., was the nation's most highly touted quarterback coming out of high school, but has landed on the second team at Florida, behind Rex Grossman.

"I'm proud to be here as a Florida Gator," Berlin said. "It didn't work out the way I really thought it would. But I'm just going to kind of look around and look at my options."

He declined to say which schools he was considering.

Berlin didn't completely rule out sitting out one season as a redshirt to stagger his graduation date with that of Grossman, who is also a sophomore.

"I'm considering it, a little," Berlin said.

But more likely, Berlin said he will transfer. He said he'll make the decision soon after Florida plays Maryland in the FedEx Orange Bowl on Jan. 2.

Also, Grossman reiterated his decision to stay at Florida for the 2002 season. Last month, Grossman said he planned to stay, and he confirmed that again when asked Monday.