Casey Kelley didn't mince words when discussing his unofficial trip to Knoxville last weekend.

"It was awesome," the 6-foot-4, 195-pound quarterback from Sarasota (Fla.) High School said. "It was definitely good to make that trip. The whole weekend was good."

Kelley said he's never seen a college atmosphere like Tennessee's, and that includes a trip to Gainesville to see Florida host the Vols.

"That didn't compare," Kelley said. "108,00 people in the stands wearing orange. That was just ridiculous."

Kelley calls UT the leader for his services. But that position must be considered tenuous until he completes unscheduled official visits to Oregon and North Carolina.

"Tennessee's on the top of my list right now," said Kelley, who plans to announce a decision in late January or February.

Even if Kelley signs with UT on national signing day, it doesn't mean he's destined to be a Vol. As a standout shortstop/pitcher, Kelley also figures to be selected in June's amateur baseball draft. Just where he'll be selected is the question.

"If it's life-changing money," Kelley said, "you can't turn that down."

Kelley has seen the good and bad of baseball. Kelley's father is a minor league coach and his brother has been toiling in the minors for years.

Even if Kelley declines whatever offering baseball makes next summer, it doesn't mean that's the last time UT's football team would have to be wary of the diamond's lure with Kelley.

For instance, if Kelley becomes UT's quarterback of the future while starring for the baseball Vols, the baseball pros will assuredly come calling again in 2010.

The Vols will have three years invested in Kelley on the gridiron and may have scared off another highly touted quarterback, but still could lose Kelley to a baseball draft pick and guaranteed money.

"I've got enough to think about right now," Kelley said with a chuckle. "I'll let that come when it comes."

Kelley threw for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing more than 60 percent of his passes this season before a staph infection ended his high school career. Surgery was required causing Kelley to miss Sarasota's last three regular-season games and the playoffs.

Kelley said the ailment caused no structural damage.

"It wasn't career ending or anything like that," Kelley said, "but it definitely scared me."

Because Kelley plans on being a two-sport athlete, his relationship with first-year UT baseball coach Todd Raleigh will be as important to his decision as his relationship with offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, who is leading the charge for the football team.

"He's an awesome guy," Kelley said of Raleigh, "Definitely a players' coach."

Baseball-wise, UT has some ground to make up, as Kelley said he's already a bit enamored with the baseball programs at Oregon and North Carolina.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.