Is the Danny O’Brien 2012 Free Agent QB Tour about to come to an end? Based on the reports and photos coming out of Happy Valley, it very well could be.
Penn State held its first spring practice session of the Bill O’Brien era Monday, and the former Maryland quarterback was a very high-profile viewer of the proceedings -- in PSU gear. It was O’Brien’s second visit to Penn State in the past couple of weeks.
The head coach, unlike earlier this month, would not address the QB’s presence at the practice, let alone what it meant to the program’s chances of landing the experienced signal caller.
“As far as the other question you asked me,” O’Brien said in quotes distributed by the school, referring to a question about “the kid from Maryland”, “that’s like a prospect question, so I’m not commenting on that right now. It’s NCAA rules.”
The second trip to the school comes on the heels of visits to Wisconsin over the weekend and Ole Miss prior to that. Vanderbilt, whose head coach is the former Terps offensive coordinator and maintains a close relationship with the player, has long been perceived as the front-runner, although today’s developments have led some to suggest O’Brien, the QB, is O’Brien’s, the HC, to lose.
O’Brien is expected to make a decision on his next collegiate destination by the end of April, with a selection perhaps coming by the middle of next month.
If O’Brien were indeed to sign on with the Nittany Lions, he would join what the head coach described today as a three-way, open competition at the position among Matt McGloin, Rob Bolden and Paul Jones. Then again, if O’Brien is tossed into the mix, he would be viewed by most as the instant front-runner based on the past success he had with the Terps.
Because he will be graduating in May from Maryland, O’Brien will be eligible to play immediately and have two years of eligibility beginning this season.