2018 Position Preview: Quarterback

Expectations surrounding the West Virginia football program are reaching an all-time high, and most of that pressure rests on the shoulders of senior quarterback Will Grier. The one-time Florida recruit is not just tasked with competing for a Big XII title — he’s heralded as West Virginia’s latest candidate for a Heisman Trophy.

Let’s break down and preview the quarterback situation for the Mountaineers heading into the 2018 season.

Starter: Will Grier (RS Sr.)

As long as he remains healthy, Grier is about the surest thing Dana Holgorsen has on his entire team. After putting up 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, Grier enters 2018 as arguably the best quarterback in all of college football. His Heisman campaign and potential first-round draft status have many believing he may even be one of the best signal callers to ever come out of Morgantown, and it’s hard not to see why. Grier will have All-American receiver David Sills, Gary Jennings and TJ Simmons at his disposal and boasts a veteran offensive line to keep him upright. It truly seems as if Grier is due for a historic senior season.

Backups – Jack Allison (RS So.), Trey Lowe III (Fr.)

Holgorsen turned to sophomore Chris Chugunov last season when Will Grier went down with his injury, but “Chugs” has since transferred. As a result, the Mountaineers with zero starting experience behind Grier. In the event the unthinkable happens and Grier is sidelined once again, West Virginia will look to Jack Allison to shoulder the load. Allison — a transfer from Miami and former 4-star recruit — spent last season soaking up the offense and learning what will be expected of him once Grier is gone.

Behind him sits true freshman Trey Lowe III from Memphis, TN. Though it may be some time before Lowe makes his mark as a Mountaineer, Holgorsen has called him “important to what the future is here.”