Oct 12, 2015 03:35 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The rest of Will Grier's season is in jeopardy after the NCAA suspended the Florida Gators' starting quarterback for taking a banned performance-enhancing drug.

According to The Orlando Sentinel, Grier and Florida head football coach Jim McElwain addressed the suspension at the team's weekly press conference Monday. The newspaper and other publications confirmed the suspension from their own sources as well.

"I took an over-the-counter supplement that had something in it," Grier emotionally told reporters. "I did not check with the medical staff. "I'm really sorry to everyone. Really, really sorry."

McElwain took a moment to hug his starting QB before taking the podium himself. Neither he nor Grier confirmed what triggered the positive PED test, but an unnamed source told The Sentinel it was ligandrol, which builds lean muscle mass.

"Look guys, obviously this is hard," McElwain told reporters. "We're in this for these young men. We feel for him. We feel his pain."

The NCAA does not hand out PED suspension often, but they carry an automatic term of one calendar year and the loss of one year's eligibility, ESPN noted. This means Grier would miss the rest of this season and the first six games of next season, at which time he would be considered a redshirt junior.

Grier began the season by splitting playing time at QB with Treon Harris, before separating himself as the lone starter. Through six games, the freshman passer threw 1,204 yards, 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Four of those touchdowns came during the Gators' 38-10 drubbing of Ole Miss two weeks ago.

At 6-0, Florida is ranked eighth in the nation and sits atop the SEC East and is scheduled to play LSU (sixth overall, 5-0) this Saturday in Baton Rouge.

ESPN learned the University of Florida plans to appeal the suspension on Grier's behalf.

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