West Virginia transfer QB Will Grier will be eligible for the start of the 2017 season, the school announced on Tuesday.
The former Florida quarterback incurred a one-year suspension from the NCAA midway through the 2015 season after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He sat out the last six games of UF's season under that suspension before transferring to West Virginia. Under NCAA transfer rules, Grier had to sit out last year, leading to speculation on whether the remainder of his suspension could be served concurrently. WVU obtained a waiver to allow Grier to play the entire 2017 season rather than sitting out six more games.
"We are pleased that Will has been cleared to play in our season opener by the NCAA," Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen stated in a WVU release. "Since he enrolled here last year, he's done everything he is supposed to do. He has been an outstanding teammate and leader on and off the field. Now that this decision is behind him, Will can turn his attention and preparation for the upcoming season."
The outcome was what Holgorsen expected all along; Grier worked with the Mountaineers' first team throughout spring practice. College Football 24/7 ranked Grier as the nation's No. 2 impact transfer earlier this month.
As a freshman, Grier played in Florida's first six games of 2015, starting five of them. The Gators began that season with a 6-0 record. He completed 106 of 161 passes for 1,204 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions before his suspension.
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