WVU football and VT’s new quarterbacks will tell the story
Will Grier and Josh Jackson will be leading the WVU football and Virginia Tech football team, respectively. They are two key figures in figuring out how successful both the Mountaineers and the Hokies will be this season.
It’s the first time both of these quarterbacks will be playing for their respective teams. However, Will Grier and Josh Jackson arrived at this point in two different directions.
The saga of Will Grier has been told time and time again. The Mountaineers are lucky to have him after what could have been a fruitful career at Florida. Grier’s past troubles allowed him to transfer to the WVU football team and he is now ready to play for the old gold and blue.
Still, it’s been two years since Grier has played a down of organized, collegiate football. He was suspended after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2015. Then, he sat out for a full season after transferring from Florida to West Virginia.
Can he get back into a groove early on? Has he developed a good rapport with his offense? Did he learn the playbook right away?
These questions will be answered right away once the WVU football team hits the playing field against Virginia Tech. Also, how will new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital gel with his unit. He and Grier have been working well together in the offseason, but can the two make adjustments when needed come game time?
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There’s just as many questions out there about Josh Jackson and Virginia Tech. Hail WV called him one of the players who could hurt the Mountaineers.
Jackson can disrupt the WVU football defense in a number of ways. He is a true dual-threat quarterback who is just as good at running the ball as he is throwing it. He has not been able to showcase this in a game yet. Jackson is a redshirt freshman so the same questions apply to him as they do to Grier.
Nothing can replace actual game reps, but both quarterbacks have been able to sit back, watch, learn and listen. They’re both true gamers who have the respect of their teammates.
VT wide receiver Cam Phillips was very complimentary of his new quarterback in an interview with USA Today.
"“I think mentally he’s a really, really good guy. I think he always knows what to expect from a defense. He always knows where to go with the ball and I think him and the coaches are always on the same page. They communicate well. … I think he’s definitely preparing the right way.”"
Will Grier has no bigger fan than his father, Chad. Last year, Chad talked with WV Illustrated and gave his son a super high billing.
"“He may be the best scout team quarterback in America this year. He’ll do what he does and hopefully when the season’s over, he’ll be in a position where he’s earned the respect of his teammates, his coaches, and he can go be the guy and have a great two years on the field at West Virginia.”"
All the hype as come to a crossroads. Only one of these quarterbacks can win their debuts. Whichever QB makes the least mistakes and gains control of their offense will win the game. They’ve both proven themselves worthy to be starting quarterbacks at the Division I level.
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A lot is riding on this game. A lot is riding on these quarterbacks. Their teammates are expecting them both to get them the ball and be the leader on the field. One game won’t define their legacy, but it wouldn’t hurt either to get started on the right foot.