CHARLOTTE - For the first time since 2011, the Panthers have drafted a quarterback.
Carolina selected Charlotte native Will Grier with the 100th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on Friday night, using its third-round compensatory pick on the West Virginia product. Grier is the first quarterback drafted by the Panthers since they took Cam Newton with the first overall pick in the 2011 draft.
Grier starred locally at Davidson Day School, once leading his school to a seven-on-seven championship in dramatic fashion on the Bank of America Stadium practice fields. He began his college career at the University of Florida before starting the past two seasons for the Mountaineers.
In 2018, the 6-foot-2, 217-pounder Grier lit up opposing defenses for 37 touchdowns passes against eight interceptions, finishing fourth in the Heisman race. Over a half-season as Florida's starter in 2015 and his two years in West Virginia, Grier piled up 8,556 passing yards with 81 passing touchcdowns and 23 interceptions. He added seven touchdowns on the ground.
Carolina will enter the final day of the NFL Draft on Saturday with three picks in hand - one each in the fourth (115th overall), fifth (154) and sixth (187) rounds. Carolina doesn't hold a selection in the seventh and final round.
