Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien, center, looks on during a game against Boston College on Oct. 29. Credit: AP

SHARE

By of the

Madison - If former Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien eventually transfers to Wisconsin, the UW staff should send a note of thanks to Terrapins coach Randy Edsall.

Although Maryland officials Monday released O'Brien from his scholarship so he can sign with another school, they reportedly excluded Vanderbilt from that list.

That move would mean O'Brien could not receive athletic aid at Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin was the offensive coordinator at Maryland under then-head coach Ralph Friedgen in 2010, O'Brien's redshirt freshman season.

According to the Baltimore Sun, O'Brien's list of schools includes UW, Michigan State, Stanford and Vanderbilt.

O'Brien reportedly is on track to graduate in the spring and would be eligible to play immediately in 2012, just as Russell Wilson did at UW last season after transferring from North Carolina State.

O'Brien would have two seasons of eligibility remaining but, according to a college football source, he has yet to contact UW. The Badgers, however, expect to have a scholarship available if needed.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound O'Brien was named a freshman All-American by the Football Writers' Association of America in 2010.

He went 7-3 as a starter and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the year after passing for 2,438 yards, with 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

His efficiency rating of 134.5 was fourth in the ACC, fifth nationally among Bowl Subdivision freshmen and 45th overall nationally.

O'Brien struggled last season under new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, who was fired after the Terps finished 2-10.

O'Brien passed for 1,648 yards in nine games, with 10 interceptions and seven touchdowns. He eventually lost his starting job and saw his season end when he suffered a broken bone in his non-throwing arm on Nov. 12 in a loss to Notre Dame.

UW will enter spring practice with more questions than answers at quarterback.

Joe Brennan played in six games last season as Wilson's backup and completed six of 15 passes for 48 yards.

Joel Stave, a talented walk-on from Whitnall High School, will be a redshirt freshman next season.

Jon Budmayr (elbow) and Curt Phillips (knee) are question marks because of persistent injury issues.

Perhaps the biggest advantage UW has over the other teams on O'Brien's list is the success Wilson enjoyed in his one season in Madison.

Wilson led UW to the Big Ten championship and a berth in the Rose Bowl. He passed for 3,175 yards and 33 touchdowns with only four interceptions as UW finished 11-3.

Although UW coach Bret Bielema had to replace his entire offensive staff after the Rose Bowl, the Badgers will feature a pro-style offense that meshes with O'Brien's skills and goals.