Will Grier’s playing days at the University of Florida have come to an end.
The quarterback informed the staff this week of his decision to transfer from Florida. He is currently serving a one-year suspension for violating NCAA drug policy.
“Will came to me about exploring his options to transfer,” Florida head coach Jim McElwain said in a statement released by the team’s Twitter account on Saturday. “We will always support him and help him in any way we can. This has been very difficult for him and obviously he is looking for a fresh start. We will always be there for him as will all Gators.”
When asked about Grier earlier this week, McElwain had said Grier would return to the team on January 5th though he wouldn’t join the team for their Citrus Bowl match up against Michigan.
If Grier is to transfer to another Division I program, he would have to sit out a whole season to addition to the six regular-season games he has been suspended for, per NCAA transfer policy. He can play immediately if he transfers to a junior college program.
Grier is the sixth Gator quarterback in the past three years to transfer, following Jacoby Brissett, Max Staver, Tyler Murphy, Jeff Driskel, and Styler Mornhinweg.
The redshirt freshman was considered an integral part of Florida’s early success as the Gators jumped to a 6-0 start to this season. In six games, Grier threw for 1204 yards and 10 touchdowns, completing 65.8% of his passes.
In Florida’s 28-27 come from behind win win against Tennessee, Grier hit freshman receiver Antonio Callaway on a crucial fourth-and-long to complete a 63-yard touchdown with just over a minute left in the game that secured the win for Florida.
The week after, Grier completed four touchdowns to four different receivers in the first half to upset nationally ranked Ole Miss 38-10 in the Swamp.
Moving forward, the quarterback competition for next season is expected to be wide open. Lined up to fight for the job will be then-junior Treon Harris, transfer Luke Del Rio, incoming freshman Feleipe Franks (Wakulla, Florida), and incoming freshman Kyle Trask (Manvel, Texas).
Bob Redman of Scout.com first broke the news of Grier’s request to transfer.