Will Grier’s future with the Florida Gators football team

Suspended Florida Gators quarterback Will Grier will not practice with the team as they prepare for the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. Grier has not practiced with the team since he was suspended for violating the NCAA’s policy of performance enhancing drugs.

“He won’t [practice]. He can’t go to the bowl site anyway,” Jim McElwain said. “But he’ll join us back up in, what is it, Jan. 5. I think that’s the first day we’re going, so he’ll be ready to roll.”

Grier was suspended in October and had the appeal of his suspension denied in late November.

“It’s tough on everybody. The poor guy, walking on campus ain’t easy,” said McElwain. “I just feel sick about it. Yeah, it’s not easy, and yet when you learn things when they don’t go well they really make you stronger.”

Grier came in as a backup in Florida’s first game but started the second week against ECU. Although Jim McElwain never came out and said it, Grier obviously had won the starting quarterback competition, starting every game after the season opener. The redshirt freshman completed 65% of his pass attempts for 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Grier’s suspension runs through the first six games of next season (UMASS, Kentucky, North Texas, at Tennessee, at Vanderbilt, LSU). He would be eligible to return to the playing field on October 15, when Florida hosts Missouri.

Despite not doing so, Grier has been able to practice with the team since his suspension started. McElwain has defended Grier publically, saying he has a lot going on outside of football. Grier will return to the team and plans to go through all of the offseason conditioning and practice with them following the bowl game.

“Look, you can sit and cry over it or you can move forward and make the best of it,” McElwain said. “That’s one thing I think he’s doing.”

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC

1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks Nick, we sure need to find out what we can look for in Will Greer next Year. Every one of us have made mistakes in our lives. Will did, he did not deny it. So we need to encourage him that he has a lot of talent to contribute to his team in the right way. I agree with Coach Mac, what a price he has paid!!!!!! Now lets move on.!!!!