MORGANTOWN —Christmas came early for the WVU football team and head coach Dana Holgorsen, as quarterback Will Grier announced Dec. 14 that he will return for his senior season next year.
“After much prayer and consultation with my family and coaches, I have decided to return to WVU for my senior season,” Grier said in a statement. “There is still a great deal that I want this team to accomplish and I look forward to helping lead us to success in 2018. I am completely focused and looking forward to building off the success we had this year and want to do even greater things next year. West Virginia is my home, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future here.”
In his first season as the Mountaineers’ starter, the Florida transfer had one of the best seasons for a quarterback in school history, throwing for 3,490 yards, along with 34 touchdowns in 10-plus games. He broke his hand in the first quarter in the 11th game, against Texas, and missed the following game, at Oklahoma.
That did not keep Grier from claiming several awards, including Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, as well as being was named a second-team all-Big 12 player, by ProFootballFocus. He was also a Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist and the league’s newcomer of the week five times. He was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 16 and was the Manning Award National Quarterback of the Week twice.
“Will’s decision to return next year certainly makes it a great day for West Virginia football,” head coach Dana Holgorsen said. “He is a great leader for our program, and I know our fans enjoy watching his talents on the football field. His teammates and the coaching staff are certainly looking forward to his return, and this is positive news for all involved.”
Grier’s status for the Dec. 26 Heart of Dallas Bowl, against Utah, is still unknown. Off the field, he will graduate Dec. 15 with a degree in multidisciplinary studies.
