The quarterback position for the Badgers Football Team got a boost Wednesday when Maryland QB Danny O’Brien announced he was transferring to Madison for the fall semester. O’Brien will be eligible to play from day one as he will graduate in May from Maryland.
O’Brien first made noise at Maryland in 2010 as a Freshman when passed for 2438-yards and 22-touchdowns earning FWAA Freshman All-American and ACC Rookie of the Year honors. An injury and a new coach and offensive system lead to O’Brien playing just 5-games in 2011.
Badgers Head Coach Brett Bielema released this statement today on UWBadgers.com…
“We’re excited that Danny has chosen to attend Wisconsin,” Bielema said. “The first thing we did when we were aware of Danny’s interest was to try and find out what type of person he was and if he would fit into our program. From our dealings with him and all the things I have heard from those who have been around him, he is a tremendous person and has great character. He had a fantastic visit and our current players who met him came away impressed. Having graduated from Maryland in just three years, you know right away that he is a smart kid.
“As is the case with any player who joins our program, we have not promised Danny anything other than the chance to come in during the fall and compete for the starting quarterback position. He understands that and is excited for that opportunity.”
O’Brien will compete with the current crop of players in the fold this fall: Joel Stave, Joe Brennan, Bart Houston, Jon Budmayr and Curt Phillips. Houston will be a Freshman this fall while Budmayr and Phillips are currently battling injury. Brennan and Stave are the lone healthy quarterbacks working in Spring Practice.