Nov 4, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier (7) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia will not kick off the 2018 campaign for nearly two months, but the football program already is in midseason form — at least on social media.
The Mountaineers are going all out to promote returning starting quarterback Will Grier for the Heisman Trophy, launching a website on Saturday devoted to hype his candidacy.
The university touted the website — http://www.grier7heisman.com — on its athletics website along with the accompanying hashtag “willtowin.”
Grier, who started his college career at the University of Florida, passed for 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns against 12 interceptions for West Virginia in 2017.
A dislocated finger on his throwing hand, sustained on Nov. 18 against Texas, forced Grier to sit out the regular-season finale against Oklahoma and the Heart of Dallas Bowl matchup against Utah on Dec. 26.
The 6-foot-1, 218-pound Grier started five games for Florida as a redshirt freshman in 2015 before he received a one-year suspension for use of performance-enhancing substances.
Grier sat out the 2016 season after transferring to Morgantown and wound up leading the Big 12 Conference in passing touchdowns per game (3.1) in 2017.
In assessing his chances at the next level, NFLDraftScout.com senior analyst Dane Brugler said Grier enters his senior season as a possible second-day draft pick in 2019.
“Assuming he stays on the field, the passing production should be among the best in the country,” wrote Brugler. “However, consistency (specifically with his decision-making, mechanics and pocket awareness) will be the key to his NFL scouting report.”
