MORGANTOWN — His finger straightened, his receiving unit intact and his Heisman website pumping out mountains of hype, Will Grier stands tallest in the pocket of the Big 12’s summertime splendor.
The conference confirmed as much Wednesday July 11, when reporters chose West Virginia’s quarterback as the preseason offensive player of the year.
Grier racked up 3,490 passing yards during 2017, the fourth-highest single-season total in Mountaineers history, even though he missed the final 10 quarters of action with a fractured throwing hand.
Those 34 touchdowns were second-most in school history, and despite 12 interceptions, Grier finished the year No. 5 nationally in passing efficiency.
He helped the Mountaineers finish 20th in total offense and 22nd in scoring, with an escape-the-pocket style that left secondaries vulnerable to deep bombs. Such highlight throws make eye-popping propaganda for the school’s recently launched campaign at Grier7Heisman.com.
With Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph graduated, Grier wears the golden boy crown in a league trademarked by outrageous passing numbers.
Biletnikoff Award finalist David Sills, the nation’s 2017 leader in touchdown receptions, also represented WVU on the all-preseason offense, as did senior left tackle Yodny Cajuste. Junior outside linebacker David Long made the preseason defensive team.
The Big 12’s preseason team predictions are due to be released Thursday July 12, with the Mountaineers expected to be among the list of contenders behind Oklahoma.
