Will Grier might not be available for West Virginia in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, but the Mountaineers will have their quarterback in 2018.
The school creatively announced Grier’s return, posting a brief video with the theme song of 1970s sitcom, “Welcome Back, Kotter.”
“West Virginia is my home, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future here,” Grier said.
This is excellent news for the Mountaineers, who recorded a 7-3 record prior to his injury and enter bowl season at 7-5.
Grier is talented enough that pursuing the NFL was a legitimate option, but he’s not viewed as a top-tier prospect at this time. Another season in Morgantown could help change that outlook.
After transferring from Florida due to a performance-enhancing drug suspension, Grier landed at West Virginia. He was ineligible during the 2016 campaign but took over the offense in 2017.
Prior to a broken finger ending his regular season, Grier passed for at least 300 yards in nine of his healthy 10 appearances. As it stands, Grier has 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns. Those single-season totals rank fourth and second, respectively, in program history.
Grier is questionable for the Heart of Dallas Bowl against Utah. But the Mountaineers will be thrilled to have Grier leading the offense next season in a Big 12 that will no longer include Baker Mayfield, Mason Rudolph or Kenny Hill.