Wisconsin won't miss O'Brien
Danny O'Brien didn't have quite the same effect on Wisconsin as NC State graduate transfer Russell Wilson had in Madison, so the former ACC newcomer of the year at Maryland is leaving the program.
Foxsportswisconsin.com reported Monday that O'Brien is no longer with the Badgers, and O'Brien confirmed the news to badgernation.com.
Despite starring in College Park as a redshirt freshman, O'Brien could not reclaim his 2010 success with the Badgers after a rough 2011 campaign with the Terrapins. He finished 2012 with 523 passing yards on 52-of-86 passing with three touchdowns and an interception. He also lost three fumbles and relinquished his starting job. He does have one final season of eligibility remaining, but it remains to be seen if he continues his playing career.
His decision to leave Wisconsin does not come as a surprise after first-year Badgers head coach Gary Andersen said Curt Phillips and Joel Stave were the frontrunners for the starting quarterback job following spring practice. Redshirt freshman Bart Houston is considered a future starter, and junior-college recruit Tanner McEvoy will arrive this summer. McEvoy's dual-threat capabilities certainly are intriguing in Andersen's offense.
Because O'Brien didn't fit into the Badgers' plans this fall, the team will not be affected by his departure. It will be interesting, however, to see if Phillips can beat out Stave for the starting job in preseason camp and if McEvoy can make an immediate impact upon arrival.
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This story originally appeared on Nationalfootballpost.com
