Florida Gators quarterback Will Grier has been suspended for the rest of the season after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. The redshirt freshman has seized the starting job from Treon Harris who started the final six games of the Gators 2014 season. It is now assumed Harris will be the starter in Grier’s absence for the remainder of 2015.
In recent weeks Will Grier has really inspired a Florida program as he produced a stunning comeback at home to Tennessee despite the Gators being down by 14 points in the fourth quarter. He followed that up with a nearly flawless performance as Florida destroyed Ole Miss with Grier throwing for four touchdowns. Overall this season he has thrown for ten touchdowns and three interceptions for a total of 1,204 yards. He also became the first Florida quarterback since Tim Tebow to pass for more than 200 yards in three consecutive games.
It’s clear that Will Grier was the best quarterback that the Gators have had since Tebow left for the NFL. The Gators had struggled mightily under Jeff Driskel who transferred to Louisiana Tech and Treon Harris provided a spark last season, but lacked consistency over the six starts he had. With the Gators currently unbeaten and the front-runners to win the SEC East this news is a big blow for a team hoping to make a surprising run at the college football playoff.
They travel to Death Valley to face LSU on Saturday and will have to alter their game plan as they play without Grier. After the visit to Baton Rouge they face a key SEC East home game against Georgia who is also struggling after losing their star running back Nick Chubb for the season. The other key game remaining is a home game against in-state rivals Florida State on the final week of the regular season. Will Grier had been efficient at getting the ball to his receivers and scoring enough points to give the superb Gator defence a chance to shut down their opponents. He was clearly growing in confidence by the game; but this suspension could be a big blow to his development as well as Florida’s chances in 2015.
Gridironnow.com had the initial report of the suspension.
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