Wisconsin Football: Danny O'Brien Commits to Wisconsin

While it was once known as a running back and offensive line factory, the University of Wisconsin is quickly becoming a hot spot for transferring quarterbacks. 

Today, a torrent of reports, set off by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, rampaged throughout online news sites, declaring ex-Maryland Terrapin quarterback Danny O'Brien was "poised" to transfer to the Badgers.

Those hesitant speculations then turned official when the university released an announcement welcoming O'Brien into the fold in Madison. 

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"We're excited that Danny has chosen to attend Wisconsin," Bielema said. "The first thing we did when we were aware of Danny's interest was to try and find out what type of person he was and if he would fit into our program. From our dealings with him and all the things I have heard from those who have been around him, he is a tremendous person and has great character. He had a fantastic visit and our current players who met him came away impressed. Having graduated from Maryland in just three years, you know right away that he is a smart kid."

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That proclamation ended a memorable quarterback saga, made complete with a whirlwind recruiting tour that saw the collegiate free agent visit Ole Miss, Wisconsin and Penn State (twice).

O'Brien will be seen as an immediate upgrade at the position and breathes new life into a program bracing for a hard fall after back-to-back trips to the Rose Bowl.

He is due to graduate this spring, which makes the former Minnesota/North Carolina-native eligible to play right away. What's more, O'Brien has two years to play thanks to a combination of an early redshirt season and the fact he graduated from Maryland in just three years. 

This latest move also allows highly-touted recruit Bart Houston time to acclimate to college life and learn under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada without the pressure to play right away. That time will afford the Badgers a much more secure future at the quarterback position. 

While most fans, casual or diehard, can clearly see this is a huge boon to the Badgers, only time will tell whether O'Brien can step into the void left by his predecessor Russell Wilson.