MIAMI, Fla., Sporting Alert – Florida quarterback Will Grier has been suspended for the rest of the college football season after returning a positive drug test, it was revealed on Monday.
Gridironnow.com reporter Mike Huguenin broke the news on Monday, while the University confirmed the story during a press conference.
The redshirt freshman Grier, who enrolled in January of 2014, was tested positive for a “performance-enhancing drug” after he purchased an over-the-counter supplement.
NCAA rules declare that any positive drug test comes with an automatic one-year ban from competition.
“I took an over-the-counter supplement that had something in it; I did not check with the medical staff before taking,” Grier said at a news conference Monday.
“I really hope people can learn from this and learn from my mistake,” he said.
Grier has thrown for 10 touchdowns and 1,204 yards, with three interceptions this season for the Gators, who are ranked No. 8 in the AP College Football Top 25 Rankings.
The 20-year-old from Davidson, North Carolina, according to ESPN Stats and Info, has the best completion percentage, pass yards per game, and TD-Interception ratio by a Gator since 2009.
According to the Gridiron Now report, Grier, who was listed at 6 feet 2 and 177 pounds as a senior in high school, is now is at 6-2 and he weighs 201 pounds.
He was very impressive in the win over Ole Miss, when passing for 24 of 29 for 271 yards and four touchdowns, with a 92.7 QBR.
Florida (6-0) will now have to make that trip to Death Valley on Saturday to face No. 6 LSU without Grier in a very importing SEC battle. The Gators are 4-0 in the SEC.
This now means sophomore Treon Harris will most likely be the starting quarterback in Baton Rouge.
ESPN Stats and Info reads for Harris’ career: 74 of 138 on passes for 1288 Yds, with 11 TDs, and 4 Int.
RECENTLY UPDATED NEWS:
Florida head coach Jim McElwain said at a press conference on Monday, following the news, that the school will appeal Grier’s suspension. However, as written, NCAA rules maintain that the player will remain ineligible pending the outcome of the appeal. It should also be noted that if Florida becomes unsuccessful in its appeal, then Grier will also be ineligible for the team’s opening 6 games in 2016.
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