Will Grier Cleared To Begin Throwing

According to Jake Trotter at ESPN.com, West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier has been cleared by doctors to resume throwing. Grier, who suffered a dislocated finger and broken middle metacarpal on his right (throwing) hand early in the first quarter against Texas, is one of the early players with good Heisman odds.

Will Grier and quarterback-turned-receiver David Sills were a lethal combination in the first 9 games of the season. Grier was leading the nation in touchdown passes at the time of his injury while David Sills led all receivers with 18 touchdown receptions.

Grier’s injury changed the complexion for the Mountaineers. Backup quarterback Chris Chugunov completed only 35 passes in the 2.75 games he played after Grier’s injury, never completing more than 53% of his passes and steadily getting worse. Chugs’ struggles highlighted the massive difference in talent between Grier and anyone else on the roster, leading many fans to question head coach Dana Holgorsen and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital why such a disparity existed and how no viable option had shown itself in years.

The good news for WVU is that both Grier, Sills and left tackle Yodny Cajuste have all announced their return for 2018. The bulk of the offense will return, including three of Grier’s four favorite receivers, Sills, Gary Jennings and Marcus Simms. The defense loses Kyzir White, the brother of former Mountaineer receiver Kevin White, to the NFL draft after graduating as a senior, and senior linebacker Al Rasheed-Benton, but returns Dravon Askew-Henry and David Long. Long could be a candidate for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and possibly Butkus Award.

West Virginia will open the 2018 season in Charlotte, North Carolina, Will Grier’s home state, against the Tennessee Volunteers on September 1, 2018 at Bank of America Stadium. The Mountaineers have opened as 7.5-point favorites.