QB Will Grier transfers from Florida to West Virginia

ByTravis Haney ESPN logo
Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Former Floridaquarterback Will Grier is transferring to West Virginia, the school announced Wednesday.

Per the NCAA's transfer rules, Grier will sit out the 2016 season and work with the Mountaineers' scout team. But there's also the complicating factor that in October, the NCAA suspended Grier for one calendar year after a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance.

At the time, Grier said publicly that the positive test was related to an over-the-counter supplement. Sources told ESPN that WVU officials were satisfied with Grier's explanation.

What is still unclear, sources say, is how much of a punishment Grier will ultimately be required to serve. Before Grier's decision to transfer, ESPN reported that Florida intended to appeal whether Grier would have to sit out any games this fall. Sources told ESPN that West Virginia will work toward Grier being eligible to play in the 2017 opener as a redshirt junior.

Whenever Grier is deemed eligible, he figures to be a nice fit to take over for Skyler Howard, WVU's second-year returning quarterback.Grier has two years of eligibility remaining.

Inserted into Florida's lineup in 2015, Grier led the Gators and Jim McElwain's first-year staff to a 6-0 start. At the time of the suspension, Grier had thrown for 1,204 yards (65.8 completion percentage) and 10 touchdowns and had just three interceptions.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Grier reportedly decided to transfer after McElwain would not guarantee him that he'd return to the starting role after the suspension.

Grier was an Elite 11 selection and the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the 2014 recruiting class while playing for his father at Davidson Day School outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.