Jim McElwain: Will Grier leads Florida quarterback competition

Florida coach Jim McElwain said redshirt freshman Will Grier is the leading candidate in the team’s quarterback battle.

Florida coach Jim McElwain said redshirt freshman Will Grier is the leading candidate in the team’s quarterback battle, according to Thomas Goldkamp of GatorBait.net.

Grier is competing with sophomore Treon Harris and redshirt junior Skyler Mornhinweg to be the Gators’ starter in their first season under McElwain.

Harris started six games last season for Florida, completing 49.5% of his passes for 1,019 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He missed part of spring practice, however, because of a death in the family, and McElwain acknowledged his absence played a role in Grier taking the lead.

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"You know, obviously Will’s ahead simply because he’s been here more," McElwain said.

Grier was the No. 2 quarterback and No. 46 player in the country in the 2014 recruiting class, according to Rivals.

Mornhinweg last played for the Gators in 2013, when he appeared in three games and completed 69.8% of his passes for 344 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Last season, Florida finished No. 11 in points allowed, but just No. 72 in scoring.

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