University of Florida quarterback Rex Grossman has decided to forego his final season of college eligibility, ESPN.com has learned, and will formally announce that intention next week.

One of the leading passers in SEC history and a starter for most of the last three seasons, Grossman informed coach Ron Zook of his decision within the past two days, and will not reconsider.

"He has definitely made the decision to leave Florida,'' Grossman's mother, Maureen, told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Grossman, 22, is prepared to file the appropriate paperwork with NFL officials next week. Underclass players must declare their intentions and submit the relevant documents by Jan. 15. Grossman and his family have spent considerable time in the past weeks counseling with various football experts about his NFL potential.

His decision adds another highly regarded passer to what could be a solid quarterback draft class. Because he is an underclass player, scouts contacted Saturday by ESPN.com declined to comment for attribution on Grossman's likely draft status, but one general manager generically referred to him as "a first day guy." The top three rounds of the draft are held on the first day of the lottery.

Grossman struggled in the offense designed by Zook, but never complained. Despite Florida's struggles -- the Gators finished 8-5 -- Grossman said as recently as the Outback Bowl on Wednesday that he was having a hard time with the decision.

"It's a life change,'' he said after the game. "Whether to stay in college or go ahead and be a professional. There's a lot of things to consider, and I don't need to rush into anything. I honestly haven't made up my mind.''

Grossman made up his mind while on a vacation with his family.

"It was a tough decision,'' Maureen Grossman said.

Conventional wisdom is that two college seniors, Carson Palmer of Southern California and Marshall's Byron Leftwich, will be the first quarterbacks to go off the board on draft day. After that, it is anyone's guess as to how the other quarterbacks will be selected.

In three college seasons, Grossman completed 677 of 1,110 passes for 9,164 yards, with 77 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions. A Bloomington, Ind., native, Grossman was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2001 and posted a 23-9 record as a starter.

This season, Grossman completed 287 of 503 passes for 3,402 yards, with 22 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions.

As is the case with most players, Grossman will have an opportunity to display his talents for NFL scouts in postseason workouts. Scouts contacted Saturday said they expect, once Grossman officially commits to the draft, he will be invited to the predraft combines in February.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.