Will Grier was offerless and virtually unknown outside the state of North Carolina when he competed in the VTO Sports Prep 100 in Charlotte last spring.
Four-star QB Will Grier is a U.S. Army All-American.
When he returns for the camp's 2013 version Sunday at Mallard Creek High, he will do so as a Florida Gators commit, U.S. Army All-American and national record-holder.
"I've been so blessed this past year," Grier told 247Sports. "I've had a lot of support from my family and friends. I've just worked as hard as I could to get here. It's been countless hours on the field. And it's been a team effort."
The 6-feet-3, 180-pound Grier committed to the Gators in December over Tennessee and North Carolina. Although he recently met the N.C. State staff after attending a photo shoot in the area, Grier insisted he is "strong to Florida."
At last year's VTO camp, Grier showed off a big, accurate arm, excelling throughout the day but particularly during one-on-ones. Not long after the event, Grier was offered by East Carolina. In June, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Florida followed. In July, Tennessee joined the club.
During his junior season, Grier, the No. 43 overall prospect and No. 2 quarterback in the 247Composite, posted ridiculous numbers.
On Oct. 26, he went 26 of 34 for 514 yards and seven touchdowns in a game. A week later, he passed for 421 yards and six touchdowns.
Then, Grier made history.
On Nov. 9, just hours after taping a video interview with 247Sports, Grier threw for 837 yards to break the national single-game passing record of 764 yards, set by Pacific Palisades (Calif.) QB David Koral in 2000.
He would finish the season with a state-record 68 touchdown passes, a state title and the Gatorade Player of the Year award for North Carolina.
Despite this success, Grier, who plans to early enroll at Florida, does not consider himself a finished product.
And that's part of the reason he will camp Sunday.
"I don't want to lose my competitive edge," Grier said. "Competing with other guys and throwing to some other guys will help. I just want to go out there and compete. I wan't really prepared for that camp last year physically at all. I think I'm better prepared now."
Grier also hopes he can help some of his teammates get noticed.
"I've got four or five kids from my team going," Grier said. "I'm supporting them and doing my best to promote them."
Six more to watch Sunday
*Cameron Mattison, S, Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek -- The 6-feet, 182-pounder has an offer from Ball State.
*Kalen McCain, S, Durham (N.C.) Hillside -- Georgia Tech, Louisville and N.C. State have offered the 6-feet-1, 175-pounder.
*Trip McNeill, OT, Mocksville (N.C.) Davie County -- McNeill, who has several offers, is one of the top linemen in the Carolinas.
*Isaiah Robinson, RB, Charlotte (N.C.) Independence -- A 5-feet-10, 200-pounder, he has offers from East Carolina, Louisville and Wake Forest.
*Mike Stevens, WR/DB, Davidson (N.C.) Davidson Day -- One of Grier's top targets has interest from programs such as Kentucky.
*Isaac Stewart, LB, Matthews (N.C.) Butler -- A member of a state-power program, he claims an offer from N.C. State.
- Keith Niebuhr
- National Recruiting Analyst - 247Sports