Will Grier helped Florida get off to a 6-0 start and a 3-0 conference record before being suspended for the LSU game. His best games were against Tennessee (a come from behind 4th qtr win) and against top 10 Ole Miss (4 first quarter TD's.) who had defeated national champ Alabama a week before. He was suspended for the Florida-LSU showdown which the Gators lost narrowly on the road - a fake FG trick play helped Les Miles beat the gators again.
Last year, Florida (10-4, 7-1) relied upon a top 10/20 defense and a 1000+ yard runner for their wins and just needed a game-manager type at quarterback. I thought Grier protected the ball well, has a quick release and throws the pass early to the receivers where they can make a play afterwards. I think Grier throws an accurate deep ball, too. Florida had a weak offensive line and this is where Grier was a little shakey. Grier looks awkward when the pass protection breaks down. He can scramble for yards but is not always durable if he gets hit (see the Missouri game).
Had he stayed at UF, Grier could have played at Florida by the 7th-game this season but his QB position would be in question by then. Grier would have faced stiff competition for the open QB position starting in the Spring from veteran transfers Luke Del Rio (local kid from Jax), Ryan Appleby (from Purdue) and true freshmen Kyle Trask and Felipe Franks. I think Grier may have been ineligible for both the Spring and the Summer practices. That PED suspension handed down by the NCAA was very severe and damaging to Will Grier's college career.
Next season, one of the four guys above will start for Florida and another would be the back-up. There was no way that Coach McElwain would have just handed the starting QB position to Grier after the season had already started. The only way Grier would have had a chance to compete at UF next season is if there were injuries at QB or ineffectiveness at QB. This is entirely possible because of Florida's young offensive line and pass protection becomes an issue.
Had Grier stayed at Florida, he would have had 2.5 years to compete in college. At his new school, it may have been only 1.5 years. So, what would have been the best decision by Will Grier? Stay or transfer? Who knows.
There is thought that even if Grier transferred to a new school like West Virginia, he would have to still sit out seven games at his new school after he becomes eligible even after the one-year sitting out during the transfer. The NCAA may not allow Grier to escape NCAA punishment even after transferring and sitting out the year. This is why many Florida fans have an ambivalent attitude for Will Grier even after his heroics and promising start at Florida. It comes down to Grier's judgment - how hard can it be to ask a Florida trainer if what he eats/drinks is all right with the rules? Also, when Grier got suspended last year, he went away from his team and became an on-line student to get away from the pressure. Instead of supporting the back-up quarterback, Treon Harris, and the team, Grier chose to leave the team.
