Florida starting QB Will Grier suspended for at least 2015 after taking banned substance

Florida's star redshirt freshman quarterback Will Grier is suspended for the remainder of the 2015 season for a violation of NCAA rules, per multiple reports. Head coach Jim McElwain confirmed part of the news Monday, adding that the Gators found out on Sunday that Grier failed an NCAA drug test.

Coach McElwain says Will Grier won't play due to taking an OTC supplement that had something banned by the NCAA.

— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 12, 2015

Grier: "I took an over-the-counter supplement that had something in it. And I did not check with the medical staff." #Gators

— Only Gators .com (@onlygators) October 12, 2015

NCAA rules require a full-year suspension, so next year, Grier could miss the first six games as well. Florida will appeal the length of the suspension, and Grier will still practice with the team, McElwain said. The NCAA hasn't commented.

The school is denying reports that the banned substance is Ligandrol, described as a treatment to combat muscle-wasting, but will not name the specific supplement.

This is a major blow to the Gators' College Football Playoff and SEC hopes, as Grier had recently come into his own. He dominated Florida's breakout game against Ole Miss, and most recently, he helped the Gators' offense roll to 6-0 with a win over a tough Missouri defense.

Now, the reigns of Florida's offense likely go back to Treon Harris, who started the Gators' first game of the season but has struggled since last year. That's bad news for the Gators, who were just starting to get some sense of stability at quarterback.

No. 8 Florida plays at No. 6 LSU this week.

PED suspensions in college football are rare, despite the seeming prevalence of the drugs in the sport. In the offseason, some reported Grier had added about 40 pounds to his frame, but that's dubious.