QB O'Brien confirms visit to the Badgers

MADISON - They are eight words that Wisconsin fans are anxious to hear and put some clarity to the level of interest former Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien has with the University of Wisconsin. "Yes, I will be visiting this coming weekend," said O'Brien in a message to Badger Nation. The 6-3, 215-pound quarterback formally a three-star QB ranked No.58 in the 2009 recruiting class by Scout.com probably wouldn't be the kind of quick fix former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson was for the Badgers last season, but he'll certainly be in the mix considering the quarterback position is the biggest question mark heading into the start of spring practices on Saturday. With the graduation of Wilson and injuries to current UW quarterbacks Jon Budmayr (arm), Bart Houston (shoulder) and Curt Phillips (knee), the Badgers will go through spring ball with only two healthy quarterbacks - redshirt sophomore Joe Brennan and redshirt freshman Joel Stave who don't have any collegiate starting experience. Inexperience is not one word to describe O'Brien. Named the ACC rookie of the year and a freshman All-American after passing for 2,438 yards, with 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions, O'Brien went 7-3 as a starter in 2010 and had an efficiency rating of 134.5 in the Terps' pro-style offense. O'Brien took a step back last season as he struggled under the spread offense instituted by new head coach Randy Edsall and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, who was fired after the Terps finished 2-10. O'Brien completed just 56.4 percent of his passes for 1,648 yards seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His season ended when he suffered a broken bone in his non-throwing arm on Nov. 12 in a loss to Notre Dame. He proclaimed himself 100 percent recover and his career numbers are 342 of 603 (56.7 percent) for 4,086 yards and 29 touchdowns with 18 interceptions certainly provide an attractive option. After he graduates from Maryland, O'Brien will have two years of eligibility remaining and can transfer to any school after being granted his full release. FightOnState.com reported O'Brien visited Penn State last weekend and Bruce Felman of CBSSports.com is visiting Ole Miss Monday afternoon. It's not publically known if O'Brien is taking more visits before or after Wisconsin.