Former Florida Gators quarterback Will Grier is currently serving a one-year suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, and he announced back in December that he would be transferring from the University of Florida.
The former Gators starting quarterback has found a new home in West Virginia, but he will have to sit out the 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
West Virginia head football coach Dana Holgorsen announced Grier's decision to transfer to the Mountaineers program on Wednesday, and the new West Virginia quarterback will still have two years of eligibility starting in 2017. There are multiple questions surrounding the talented quarterback, as it's unknown how the NCAA plans to handle his suspension considering the fact that he was suspended in October of 2016.
West Virginia has said that they plan to appeal or request a waiver so that he will be immediately allowed to play following his transfer season, but nothing at this point has been determined in terms of his eligibility for the 2017 season. While it's unknown when the Mountaineers new quarterback will get to suit up, one thing is certain, which is that West Virginia just landed a very talented young player.
The former Gators quarterback completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 1,204 yards with 10 touchdowns to three interceptions in six games for Florida, and he led the Gators to a 6-0 starting record before being suspended. Listed at 6-foot-2, 201-pounds, Grier is a dual-threat behind center, as he rushed for 116 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns as a freshman.
The Mountaineers transfer quarterback could be walking into the starting job at West Virginia with Skyler Howard entering his junior season in 2016. Grier will likely be the most talented quarterback in the Mountaineers program in 2017, as he received plenty of accolades coming out of high school, including Parade National Play of the Year and Maxwell Player of the Year.
West Virginia finished the 2015 college football season with an 8-5 record but struggled in conference play, finishing the year with a 4-5 Big 12 record. Holgorsen is looking for the program to take a big step forward with Howard under in center in 2016, but the future may look even brighter for the Mountaineers progam, as landing Grier is a significant transfer that could have a huge impact on the program down the road.
