William Fleming football standout Darryl Gresham, orally committed to Virginia since July14, said Tuesday night that he is weighing his options.

Gresham, named to SuperPrep's preseason All-America team as the sixth-rated prospect in Virginia, described himself as "a soft commit" and said he will visit Virginia Tech, Florida and Tennessee. Gresham has been offered scholarships by all three schools and said he plans to visit all of them officially. As his schedule allows, he may make unofficial visits to one or more of the schools for games.

"I just want to make sure I make the right decision," said Gresham, a 6-foot-4, 238-pound linebacker. "I didn't take any visits before I committed."

Gresham had been to Virginia for its junior day last winter, as well as for the Nike All-Star Camp held in Charlottesville in April. He said he still plans to visit UVa officially and go to at least one game. He put the chances that he will sign with Virginia at 50-50.

As to whether he called the other schools, Gresham said he had let it be known that he was wavering and the other schools found out "through word of mouth." He said he also informed UVa assistant Danny Rocco, who recruits Roanoke for the Cavaliers, of his plans.

"I didn't want him to hear it from somewhere else," Gresham said. "I didn't want to be a butt and not be up front about it."

Rix to bullpen

Many Virginia football fans probably had turned off the television Saturday night by the time Florida State quarterback Chris Rix came on the field with 5:08 remaining, his first appearance since suffering a knee injury Sept.25 against Clemson.

Rix, a fifth-year senior in his fourth year as a starter, will remain the Seminoles' back-up as long as Florida State keeps winning with sophomore Wyatt Sexton performing at a high level.

"If you had a pitcher that had a no-hitter going, would you take him out?" Florida State coach Bobby Bowden asked. "The way I approached Chris before that game [Saturday] was, 'Chris, you're a relief pitcher. If our starter can't get them out, you be ready to go - knowing you might not get in.'

"I'm not interested in any, 'You play a quarter and you play a quarter.' Not now. But, we do have the luxury of having a quarterback that's really a veteran - five years - and another one that has helped stabilize our offense. It's nearly a good problem, but it is a problem ... because it seems unfair to Chris."

Handicapping 101

People who try to pick the winners of college football games might take some advice from Bowden, who compared Florida State's 36-3 victory over then-No.6 Virginia to a 45-7 setback suffered Saturday by unbeaten and then-No.15 Arizona State at Southern California.

"A team plays like us against Syracuse, makes mistake after mistake and doesn't deserve to win, but then wins," Bowden said. "The other team played that team and beat them handily, then they come down and play at your place. That's a trap waiting to happen.

"To me, Miami ... they had their Syracuse game, too. Somebody better watch out next week."

The Hurricanes, who beat Louisville 41-38 after trailing 31-14, visit North Carolina State on Saturday.

Change imminent

After a second straight game with fewer than 100 yards in total offense, Maryland (3-3, 1-2 ACC) appears close to replacing ineffective sophomore quarterback Joel Staham with freshman Jordan Steffy.

"I'm not saying that won't happen this week," said coach Ralph Friegden, whose Terps visit Clemson. "If I thought he could handle it and we could win the game, I'd do it in a heartbeat. He's getting close; he really is."

Recruiting

In another sign that North Carolina will soon return to a position of men's basketball prominence under Roy Williams, the Tar Heels have received an oral commitment from Danny Green, a 6-5 swingman from St. Mary's in Manhasset, N.Y., who is the fourth top-50 player to announce plans to sign with Carolina in November.

North Carolina State landed Brandon Costner, a 6-8 forward from Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, N.J., who is the son of former St. Joseph's standout Tony Costner. Costner, once a Virginia recruiting target, is rated the No.33 prospect in the country by Prep Stars.

Harvey Hale, a 6-3 combination guard from Albuquerque, N.M., has committed to Wake Forest. ... Georgia Tech has taken a commitment from 6-1 Austin Jackson from Denton, Texas. Jackson is the third Texan to commit to Georgia Tech in four seasons and is one of three being recruited by the Yellow Jackets this year.

Uche Echefu, a small forward from Montrose Christian in Rockville, Md., postponed a visit scheduled for Virginia Tech this past weekend as the result of illness. Echefu is not expected to make a decision until the spring. ... Virginia, whose next scholarship opening will be for 2007-2008 unless an underclassman leaves, has dropped off 6-8 Nigerian Alred Aboya from Tilton (N.H.) Prep.