Will Grier: Florida Gators quarterback is transferring

Florida Gators suspended quarterback Will Grier is transferring.

Will Grier is transferring out of the Florida program, according to Bob Redman of FightinGators.com, the Florida affiliate on the Scout.com network.

Grier is serving a year-long suspension for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs and he began serving after leading the Gators to a win over the Ole Miss Rebels and with Florida sitting at 6-0 and ranked in the top 10. He’s been away from the team while he serves the suspension so he wouldn’t serve as a distraction to the team but head coach Jim McElwain said Grier would be rejoining the team after their Citrus Bowl on Jan. 5.

However, according to the report, Grier approached McElwain and the coaching staff about a transfer last week instead of attempting to reclaim his starting quarterback job with Florida midway through next season.

In six games (five starts), Grief completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 1,204 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Without Grier, the Florida offense has struggled mightily with Treon Harris under center, but they were still able to win the SEC East in an admittedly down year for the division.

With Grier out of the picture for next year, Harris will compete with Oregon State transfer Luke Del Rio and incoming freshman Feleipe Franks for the starting quarterback job.

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Regardless of where Grier transfers he will have to sit out the mandated first six games for his failed drug test, but if he transfers to a FCS or JUCO he would be eligible after that sixth game. But if he transfers to another FBS school he won’t be eligible until 2017 when he’d be a junior.

It’s likely Grier won’t be allowed to transfer to another SEC school or any school on Florida’s future schedules while Grier would have eligibility.