This wasn’t supposed to be the way Will Grier ended his first season at West Virginia.
Quarterback Will Grier was one of the best in the country the first 10 games of the regular season. He showcased his powerful arm any chance he got.
Not known as a true-to-form rusher, Will Grier was injured horrifically on a run play early in the game against Texas on Saturday. The decision, which head coach Dana Holgorsen questioned in his post-game press conference, is what ultimately caused him to get injured.
On Monday, Holgorsen said, “That was a pretty devastating play,” on the Big 12 teleconference, according to DieHards.com. It was a questionable play call, but it was ultimately Grier’s decision to put himself in a bad, awkward position. He reached out with his throwing hand and couldn’t control the ball as it hit the ground.
Grier was trying to reach at the pylon and get the tip of the ball over the end zone. He failed to do so and it cost the WVU football team a touchdown and gave the ball to Texas on the 20-yard line as it was ruled a fumble.
So, as Holgorsen said, it was a pretty devastating play that injured Grier, but it also put the team in a bad position by leaving points on the field when it should have been converted.
On Monday, it was announced the Grier had successful surgery, although it will keep him out for the remainder of the season. Grier not only dislocated the middle finger on his throwing hand, he also broke a band in his hand, according to WVUsports.com. The injury will sideline him four to six weeks, costing him a chance to play in the bowl game.
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The injury will also mean Grier won’t find a potential spot in the WVU record books for his first season with the Mountaineers. This year, Grier has thrown for 3,440 yards which is third-best in the country. According to WVUstats.com, that would place him at fourth all-time in school history. Geno Smith has that record by throwing 4,385 yards in the 2011 season.
This year, Grier has 34 touchdown passes, which is highest in the country. In WVU football history, he would be second behind Smith again. In 2012, Smith had 42 passing touchdowns.
Grier could still come back for his senior season to potentially be the hands-down best quarterback in the Big 12 and maybe even the best in the nation. He could automatically lift the Mountaineers to the top spot in the conference and be ranked highly in the preseason polls.
Grier may be able to improve his draft stock by coming back for his senior season. The time off will give him ample opportunity to contemplate his future. He may need even more time to rehab the injury and get back to full strength.
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Even though it was reported by multiple outlets, including Blue Gold News, that the surgery was successful, Will Grier has a lot of work ahead of him to get back on the field.