Earlier this week, it was reported that Florida quarterback Will Grier was still awaiting a decision from the NCAA on his appeal of a one-year suspension. The wait is over for Grier, although it’s doubtful this is the outcome for which he was hoping.
While there’s nothing official yet from the school, the player or the NCAA, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Grier’s appeal has been shot down by The Association. Grier had been seeking to reduce a 12-month suspension for using a performance-enhancing drug to the remainder of the 2015 season.
As the appeal has apparently been denied, Grier will now be forced to serve a suspension for the first six games of the 2016 season on top of the at least eight games -- six regular season, SEC championship, bowl -- he’ll miss in 2015. That appeal denial came after Grier, his lawyer and UF’s University Athletic Association stated their case during a conference call with the NCAA this past Monday.
Grier has repeatedly claimed that he took an over-the-counter supplement and was unaware the substance he took was on the banned list issued by the NCAA. He has, though, acknowledged that he didn’t consult with UF’s training staff prior to ingesting it.
After Treon Harris started and won the first two games of the 2015 season, Grier started and won the next four. Harris has been the starter since Grier’s suspension, and the Gators have gone 3-1 in becoming both the SEC East champs and the No. 8 team in the country in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
Grier will be a redshirt sophomore (probably) in returning for his truncated 2016 season. Oregon State transfer and former Alabama quarterback Luke Del Rio will also join the mix next year.