Spavital: Grier ready to play
To get to where we are today, we first have to go back to Oct. 10, 2015.
Florida had just dispatched Missouri 21-3, while Will Grier tossed for 208 yards and completed 20-33 passing attempts. But, why take that little trip down memory lane?
Well, that was the last time that Grier was on the field playing in an actual meaningful football game. That’s a span of almost two full years and a lot has happened since including his eventual transfer to West Virginia.
Grier appeared in six games during his redshirt freshman campaign that was cut short in Gainesville throwing for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns while leading the Gators to an undefeated start.
Since then, Grier was suspended for a full-season due to testing positive for a banned substance, left Florida and subsequently enrolled in Morgantown.
After sitting out a full year due to NCAA transfer rules, Grier impressed throughout the spring and summer earning the starting job without ever really facing a challenge from the other options on the depth chart.
From the minute Grier stepped foot on campus, expectations around him have been high. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say his debut against Virginia Tech is one that many have had circled on their calendars for quite some time in order to see the quarterback in action.
And there’s a good reason behind that.
Coaches and players alike have praised the signal caller for his accuracy, arm strength and leadership. But the time for talk has passed and now Grier will be stepping onto the field for the first time.
The potential remains high, but even the West Virginia coaches are anxious to see him perform.
“I’ve never seen him in a live situation. I’ve seen him plenty in practices and watched him on video as far as live stuff goes, so I’m anxious to finally see him in a live setting where he can cut it loose a little bit,” head coach Dana Holgorsen said. “He’s our quarterback.”
But even with the long-lay off, offensive coordinator Jake Spavital believes that his quarterback is ready to take the field against Virginia Tech. Based on his demeanor and how he has handled his preparation.
It doesn’t hurt matters that Grier is a coach’s son, which only aids in his preparation to the game and keeping himself sharp both throwing the football and mentally, Spavital said.
Granted the season opener is against a very talented Virginia Tech defense, but Spavital, who works with the quarterbacks, has been encouraged by what he has seen out of Grier in the build up to the game.
“Just being around him, he is ready to play,” Spavital said.
Looking at Grier, Spavital has been impressed in practice with his ability to make all of the throws necessary in the offense as well as his overall agility. Grier possesses nimble feet and has the ability to extend plays if he needs to or sit in the pocket and go through his progressions.
One of those pass-catchers on the other end of those progressions is former quarterback turned wide receiver David Sills. The junior has worked extensively with Grier on cultivating timing with the signal caller and has been impressed with his command of the offense.
“The ball is on the wide receiver before he’s even out of his breaks,” Sills said. “He’s always checking into the right plays. I think he has all the attributes.”
Those in the West Virginia program have become accustomed to watching Grier go to work in practice settings. Now, it’s time to broadcast the show for the rest of the world in an actual game with the showdown between top 25 teams.
And it couldn’t come soon enough for all involved.
