WASHINGTON – Maryland Terrapins football coach Randy Edsall said Monday that quarterback Danny O’Brien can transfer to any school he chooses. It’s a reversal of Edsall’s previous decision to limit the schools O’Brien could consider.
“While at first I thought it was important to limit the institutions to which they could transfer, I have since reconsidered my decision,” Edsall said in a statement. “At the end of the day, I want what’s best for these guys and I wish them well in their futures.”
Edsall was criticized for restricting O’Brien from transferring specifically to Vanderbilt University where former Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin heads the football program. O’Brien says he will now consider Vanderbilt, but did not name a top choice.
During his freshman season in 2010, the ACC named O’Brien rookie of the year. But he struggled last season under Edsall’s direction and was eventually benched in favor of backup quarterback C.J. Brown. Read more about O’Brien’s player history here.
It is fairly common for coaches to block their players from transferring to rival schools or those in the same conference. But WTOP’s George Wallace says, that logic does not apply to Edsall’s previous reasoning that prevented O’Brien from transferring to Vanderbilt.
Edsall also granted former offensive lineman Max Garcia and linebacker Mario Rowson full releases from the football program and scholarship commitments at Maryland.
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WTOP’s Megan Cloherty contributed to this report.
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