One of the most devastating story lines in recent Gator history has been given the worst possible conclusion.
QB Will Grier will transfer out of the program, per multiple reports and sources. Grier was suspended in October for failing a PED test for one full calendar year, and lost his appeal to shorten the length of the suspension last month. And after that failed appeal, a source told me, everything was pretty much set.
Here’s where things get interesting. I can tell you that Grier did not want to leave Florida. Transferring was absolutely not his choice; it came from UF’s end. But it’s not a decision I can necessarily blame them for. Grier’s suspension means that he would not be eligible to play the first six games of next season, which would have thrown the QB situation into complete and utter chaos. Florida’s 2016 QB battle will feature Feleipe Franks, Luke Del Rio and possibly even Treon Harris. To pull one of them in favor of Grier six games into the 2016 season would be completely screwing up their rhythm, and to take reps away from any of them in favor of a QB who wouldn’t even play the first half of the year would be even worse. So I do get it.
It’s also time to point out that Grier and Florida were at odds with each other leading up to their meeting. Florida didn’t feel like Grier was entirely truthful about what he took, and Grier didn’t feel like UF was fair to him. Combine that with what his suspension does to the QB battle, and, when you try to put yourself in UF’s shoes, can you blame them for forcing him to transfer?
Nevertheless, I wish Grier the best going forward. He’s a kid, and aside from the whole mess of his drug use, a good one that’s very friendly and loves his teammates. I do believe in second chances, and I do hope Grier gets one somewhere.