West Virginia University junior quarterback Will Grier has announced that he will return for his senior season in 2018.

 

“After much prayer and consultation with my family and coaches, I have decided to return to WVU for my senior season,” Grier said. “There is still a great deal that I want this team to accomplish and I look forward to helping lead us to success in 2018. I am completely focused and looking forward to building off the success we had this year and want to do even greater things next year. West Virginia is my home, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future here.”

 

Grier, who will graduate tomorrow with a degree in multidisciplinary studies, was the 2017 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year as selected by the league coaches, ESPN.com and the Associated Press. He has started 11 games this season, completing 250-of-388 passes for 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns. He has thrown for 300 or more yards in nine games and has had multiple touchdown passes in 10 games. He sustained a hand injury against Texas that forced him to miss the remainder of the regular season. 

 

In his first season at West Virginia, his top performances were 375 yards and five touchdowns at Baylor, 372 yards and four touchdowns at Kansas State and 371 yards and three touchdowns against Virginia Tech.

 

“Will’s decision to return next year certainly makes it a great day for West Virginia football,” WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen said. “He is a great leader for our program, and I know our fans enjoy watching his talents on the football field. His teammates and the coaching staff are certainly looking forward to his return, and this is positive news for all involved.”

 

Grier, who already is tied for No. 9 in school history in touchdown passes, was named a second-team All-Big 12 Conference performer by ProFootballFocus, a Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist and the league’s newcomer of the week five times. He was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 16 and was the Manning Award National Quarterback of the Week two times.

 

Nationally, Grier ranks No. 7 in passing touchdowns and pass efficiency, No. 8 in passing yards per game, No. 9 in points responsible for per game and yards per pass attempt, No. 10 in total offense, No. 11 in points responsible for, No. 13 in completions per game, No. 15 in passing yards, No. 16 in passing yards per completion and No. 20 in completion percentage.

 

He also ranks among the top three in the Big 12 statistics in passing touchdowns, total offense, passing yards per game, passing efficiency, completions per game, points responsible for, points responsible for per game and yards per pass attempt.

 

In the West Virginia single-season record book, Grier ranks No. 2 in passing touchdowns, is tied for No. 2 in touchdowns responsible for and is No. 5 in total offense and completions. He is No. 3 in junior passing and total offense.