Will Grier

Will Grier is a former professional football quarterback known for his progression from a record-setting high school athlete to an NFL draft pick. As a junior in high school, Grier threw for a national record 837 yards in a single game, surpassing the previous record of 764. In his senior year, he recorded 4,989 passing yards with a nation-leading and North Carolina record 77 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,251 yards and 13 additional scores. Grier was named Parade All-American Player of the Year and Mr. Football USA, establishing himself as a highly sought-after quarterback prospect.

Grier began his college football career at the University of Florida, where he quickly became a key playmaker. During his redshirt freshman season, he led the Gators to a 6-0 start, including a comeback win over Tennessee and a decisive victory over then-No. 3 Ole Miss. After facing a year-long NCAA suspension and with no guarantee of regaining the starting role, Grier transferred to West Virginia University. At West Virginia, he threw for more than 7,000 yards and 70 touchdowns, contributing to the Mountaineers' national ranking during his tenure. Grier concluded his college career as the NCAA's active career leader in passing yards per game and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. He was a finalist for the Maxwell, Manning, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards, and received the Senior CLASS Award for FBS football. Grier graduated with a bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies, focusing on journalism, communications, and sport and exercise psychology, and pursued additional studies in sociology.

Grier was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the NFL draft. He served as a backup quarterback for several teams, including the Panthers, Cowboys, Bengals, Patriots, Chargers, and Eagles. Grier spent his longest tenure with the Cowboys, where he contributed as a backup and practice-squad quarterback. Notable among his professional performances was a preseason game in which he completed 29 of 35 passes for 305 yards and four total touchdowns against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Carolina Panthers placed Grier on the team's reserve/retired list after he announced his retirement from the NFL at age 31. Following his retirement, Grier joined the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff as an offensive assistant for the 2026 season. Throughout his football career, Grier demonstrated adaptability and a consistent commitment to the sport, contributing both on the field and within team environments.