Grier clearance makes for a happy West Virginia Day
It’s unquestionably symbolic that West Virginia received word that redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier had been formally cleared by the NCAA for the season opener on the state’s namesake holiday.
After months of hand wringing, more by fans than those in the program, Grier will in fact be eligible to take the field as the starting quarterback for the Mountaineers against Virginia Tech Sunday Sept. 3 inside Fed-Ex Field.
It’s a sigh of relief for some, for others it’s an opportunity to finally flip the page and close this chapter with the focus now shifting fully to the rival Hokies.
Grier was the Parade National Player of the Year as a senior at Davidson Day School in North Carolina capping off an impressive career where he tossed for 14,565 yards and 195 touchdowns. A U.S. Army-All American selection, Grier would sign with Florida out of high school.
Grier was suspended by the NCAA for one season due to testing positive for a banned-substance derailing a promising start to his redshirt freshman season at Florida.
During that time, Grier appeared in six games, starting five while throwing for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns while completing over 60-percent of his passes. But he elected to leave the Gators program and eventually found his way to Morgantown where he sat out last season.
Even while on the sidelines, Grier still attracted attention with his play for the scout team. While the Mountaineers defense was ranked as the top unit in the Big 12 Conference, Grier would fit the ball into tight windows and create havoc for defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.
At first it caused some panic, but then the coordinator started thinking.
“But then I’d think that quarterback is pretty good,” Gibson said. “I don’t know if we’re going to face a guy this week that’s better than that guy. So we’ll be O.K.”
Grier only continued to impress during spring drills, taking the entirety of the first team reps for the Mountaineers while showing the ability to recognize the coverage, identify how to attack it and execute where the ball needs to go. A feat not nearly as easy as it sounds.
He capped off a strong spring by completing 12-18 passes for 202 yards, while showing a complete command of the offensive system. The only hurdle left was whether he would indeed receive clearance from the NCAA in time for the start of the year.
While head coach Dana Holgorsen continued to express complete confidence, there was always set to be some doubts until an official announcement was made. That came Tuesday.
“We are pleased that Will has been cleared to play in our season opener by the NCAA,” Holgorsen said. “Since he enrolled here last year, he’s done everything he is supposed to do. He has been an outstanding teammate and leader on and off the field. Now that this decision is behind him, Will can turn his attention and preparation for the upcoming season.”
That brings to a close the questions and allows the Mountaineers to enter the season with a proven commodity at the quarterback spot with a laundry list of credentials.
What better way for Mountaineers to celebrate West Virginia Day?
