Florida starting quarterback Will Grier will reportedly be suspended for violation of the NCAA’s banned substances policy.
If true, Grier will be ineligible to compete for all regular and postseason games and will be suspended for a full calendar year, according to NCAA Bylaw 18.4.1.5.1,
“Requests for reinstatement of eligibility will not be considered,” the bylaw reads, “until the student-athlete has remained ineligible for a minimum of one calendar year (365 days) after the student-athlete has tested positive for a banned substance and after the student-athlete has been withheld from the equivalent of an NCAA season, the student-athlete retests negative by the NCAA (notice of which is provided to the student-athlete reinstatement staff by The National Center for Drug Free Sport), and the institution submits a request for reinstatement of eligibility via AMA Online.”
Through six games — including five straight starts — Grier has thrown for 1,204 yards on a Southeastern Conference-leading 65.8-percent completion percentage.
He has thrown 10 touchdown passes against just three interceptions while also 116 rushing yards and rushing for a pair of touchdowns.
Grier has excelled in SEC play, averaging 221.8 yards per game and throwing eight touchdowns to just two interceptions.
He threw four first-half touchdowns in Florida’s 38-10 upset victory over then-No. 3 Ole Miss, the first UF quarterback to do so since Chris Leak in 2005.
With Grier benched, sophomore Treon Harris will be the No. 8 Gators’ starting quarterback against No. 6 LSU on Saturday, with Vanderbilt transfer Josh Grady likely serving as the backup signal caller.
Harris started the season opener for the Gators this year and played in four total games, going 19-of-27 for 269 yards and two touchdown passes.
Last season, Harris’ freshman year, he started the final six games of the season, going 55-of-111 for 1019 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
UF quarterback Will Grier runs onto the field prior to Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.
