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The 2017 Heisman trophy was presented to Baker Mayfield this weekend and it wasn’t soon after that many publications began looking at who could be standing at the podium in a year. National publications are now getting a good look at Mountaineer signal caller Will Grier.
Grier, along with Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph were the best trio of quarterbacks in the Big 12. Mayfield and Rudolph will be graduating this year but Grier, if he elects to return, could be looking at very special season.
Here is what ESPN.com had to say
West Virginia QB Will Grier: The junior could enter the NFL draft. After all, other than winning a Big 12 title, what does he have left to prove? He threw for 3,490 yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season. He even ran for a couple of touchdowns, stating his case along with Mayfield as one the most productive quarterbacks in college football. But if he returns, he could be looking at a Mayfield-like Heisman run in 2018. If he posts similar numbers and wins a conference championship, he should get a trip to New York.
Not to be outdone, SI.com’s Andy Staples had this to say
Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
Grier’s college career was interrupted by a suspension for a positive test in an NCAA drug screen while at Florida. His breakout season as a redshirt junior was interrupted by a broken finger on his throwing hand. Should Grier and frequent touchdown collaborator David Sills V return for one more season in Morgantown, they could put up some absurd numbers in a wide-open—in every sense of the phrase—Big 12.
It would take a special season from the Mountaineers to see Grier up on the podium in New York. Not only would Grier need to be north of 40 touchdowns and 4,200 yards passing but the team would have to at least win a Big 12 title and be in play for a New Years 6 bowl or College Playoff Berth.
The schedule for the Mountaineers may not set up as nicely for West Virginia. WVU opens with Tennessee in Charlotte and two weeks later will play NC State. Tennessee with a new head coach will be a mixed bag and not likely to help the Mountaineers in the out-of-conference SOS.
West Virginia will benefit from having a light Big 12 schedule up front. The final four games are against the teams expected to be in the top 5 of the Big 12: at Texas, vs. TCU, at Oklahoma State then a Friday (night??) capper against the Oklahoma Sooners. If Grier is going to win the Heisman, he will need a spectacular performance in those final four games.