Grier taking on multiple roles

There’s been some in-house fighting in the West Virginia football program but it’s not the type you’d expect in the midst of the season.

Head coach Dana Holgorsen is on one side, defensive coordinator Tony Gibson the other and in between is where exactly Florida transfer quarterback Will Grier will spend most of his time this fall.

For Gibson, the answer is simple as he refers to the redshirt sophomore as one of the best scout team quarterbacks available and it’s easy to see why.

During his redshirt freshman season at Florida, Grier played in six games tossing for 1,204 yard and ten touchdowns with only three interceptions before being suspended for the remainder of the season due to a banned substance.

So with Grier, Gibson gets whatever look he wants in the talented quarterback in order to help prepare his defense for whatever they will see on a week-to-week basis. No harm, no foul in taking advantage of a quarterback that must sit out the entire season due to NCAA transfer rules.

“Gibby loves him and he said he wants him with him the whole time,” Holgorsen said.

And while that is fine sometimes, the head coach has other plans. Grier will be one of several quarterbacks in the mix for the starting role next season after the departure of senior Skyler Howard so there must be a balance as well when it comes to his overall progression.

While live practice reps are off the table because those are necessary for the quarterbacks that are playing this season, it does mean that Grier will sit in meetings and do individual drills.

“He’s going to be with us as much as he possibly can. He’s doing a great job,” Holgorsen said.

The Parade National Player of the Year as a senior at Davidson Day in North Carolina, Grier has become accustomed to the expectations that follow him. And while some players struggle with a year away from the game of football, he has fully embraced the opportunity to get better on and off the field.

Holgorsen simply referred to Grier as a “natural,” when it comes to being a starting quarterback.

“He gets in the huddle and is great on the sidelines and really does a great job. Happy he’s here and happy with his progression at this point. Hopefully he can rub off on some of these other guys as well,” Holgorsen said.