Syracuse football: West Virginia QB Will Grier won't play in Camping World Bowl - syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. -- West Virginia quarterback Will Grier will not play against Syracuse football in the Camping World Bowl, WVU Athletics announced on Saturday.

A senior in the Heisman Trophy conversation throughout the year, Grier is viewed as one of the top quarterbacks in this year's NFL Draft class. He released a statement through WVU Athletics: 

Dear Mountaineer Family:
 
"Since arriving in Morgantown, Jeanne and I have been welcomed into the Mountaineer Family and we, along with Eloise, have been so blessed by the support and love of so many. I hope that, in return, you know that I have given my all and worked hard each and every day to help our football program and University.  
 
"While we did not win every time we took the field, and I shoulder that responsibility, I can assure you that we tried. After discussions with Jeanne and my family, and after receiving professional input, I have decided not to participate in our upcoming bowl game and focus on preparing myself and my family for what I hope is the next step in our journey. I want to thank Coach Holgorsen, Coach Spavital and all of our coaches for believing in me and, most importantly, to my teammates, who are now lifelong friends who taught me the true meaning of TEAM.  
 
"It has been an honor to wear the WVU uniform, and I sincerely thank all of Mountaineer Nation for allowing my family and I to be a part of something so special. Country roads, take me home..."

Through 11 games this year, Grier has completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,864 yards, 37 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He's also rushed for three scores as the 16th-ranked Mountaineers (8-3, 6-3 Big 12) jockeyed for a spot in a New Year's Six bowl before losing their last two contests. Grier sits among the top 10 nationally in 11 statistical categories.

"Will and I spoke at length about the bowl game, and I am fully supportive of his decision to begin preparing for the NFL Draft," WVU coach Dana Holgorsen said in a statement. "While we will miss him in Orlando, Will's commitment and service to WVU Football over the last three years will be talked about for many years to come.  He led us with class, hard work and a willingness to learn, and set a high standard for his teammates. He will always be part of our family, and we wish him, Jeanne and Eloise all the best in pursuit of their dreams."

Without Grier, the Mountaineers are expected to start redshirt sophomore Jack Ellison, a Palmetto, Florida, native who redshirted at Miami in 2016 before transferring in 2017 and sitting out last fall due to NCAA rules. The former four-star recruit has played sparingly in six games this season, completing 6-of-10 passes for 75 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Allison will be without All-Big 12 left tackle Yodny Cajuste, who announced on Friday that he too would sit out the bowl game in anticipation of the draft process.

The 20th-ranked Orange (9-3, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) and Mountaineers will kick off in Orlando on Dec. 28 at 5:15 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

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Stephen Bailey covers Syracuse football for The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can also be reached anytime via email. 

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