Junior quarterback Will Grier from Day High School in Davidson, N.C., has committed to Florida.

I am committed to the university of Florida!! If you ain’t a gator your gator bait!! #Gators #chompchomp #SWAMPLIFE

— Will G (@willg7533) December 19, 2012

Grier chose Florida over North Carolina. Tennessee and North Carolina State had been in heavy pursuit but recent coaching changes ended their contention for Grier.

Grier’s father, Day offensive coordinator Chad Grier, told ESPN RecruitingNation that Florida head coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Brent Pease were big factors in his son’s decision.

“I spoke with Coach Muschamp and Coach Pease (Tuesday) and I am very proud that Will is going to play for men who care about him as a young man and who believe in him as a player,” Chad Grier said.

Will Grier is Florida’s third commitment for the class of 2013.

Late last month, senior Florida punter David Lerner was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a serious inflammatory disease of the intestines.  When Will Muschamp called him to check up on him, Lerner says he told his coach, “My insides feel terrible, but my leg still works.”

As it turns out, Lerner never had to worry about his place on the Gator team:


“Two days after I was diagnosed, Coach called me and said, ‘Whatever you need, we’ll get for you.  We want you.’  He was very supportive.

I was definitely depressed with everything that was going on.  That kind of gave me hope.  That was really helpful and nice of him.

I was definitely worried at first.  The doctors and Coach Muschamp and the training staff and all the coaches were very supportive.  They said, ‘We’ll get you through this.  If you can’t practice, that’s fine, we want you here.’  It was very emotionally helpful.”


Muschamp has equally warm comments for Lerner.  “He has never asked to leave the field,” the coach said.  “He certainly is an inspiration to me just watching him and how he’s handled himself.”

Lerner is currently battling true freshman Kyle Christy for first-team punting duties.

Our best wishes go out to the young man.

Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins has surprised Gator Nation by announcing his decision to return to Gainesville for his senior season.

“After careful consideration, I’ve made a decision to return to school for my senior year,” he said via press release.  “I spent some time with my family and Coach Muschamp and came to the conclusion it was in my best interest to return to school.  Coach Muschamp was very supportive throughout the whole process, regardless of my decision, but he wanted to make sure I had all the facts.  I’m looking forward to working towards my degree, completing my rehab and getting back on the field with my teammates.”

Jenkins had been projected as a first-round pick in April’s NFL draft.  He has been ranked as high as the third-best cornerback in the draft.  He was also the Gators’ best punt returner in 2010.

Last week, ESPN.com’s Joe Schad wrote that a source had told him that Jenkins would be turning pro.

Jenkins missed the Outback Bowl due to shoulder surgery, thus the comment about completing his rehab.

SEC fans should hope Florida’s corner can remain healthy in 2011.  Anytime a star SEC player passes up sure dollars in the pros in order to stay in college, it’s a bonus for league fans.  Best of luck to Jenkins in the year ahead.