Maryland Backs Off Initial Transfer Ruling
By Paul Myerberg // Feb 22, 2012
In a reversal of his original decision, Randy Edsall will allow three former players, led by quarterback Danny O’Brien, to transfer to another F.B.S. program without any stipulations. According to his new ruling, O’Brien can now transfer to any A.C.C. school in addition to Vanderbilt, where he would be reunited with James Franklin, his former offensive coordinator at Maryland. The same can be said of offensive lineman Max Garcia, who had the Commodores in his final two as a high school senior before opting for the Terrapins, and linebacker Mario Rowson. The central figure in this transfer saga remains O’Brien, who was a breakout star as a redshirt freshman in 2010 before taking a back seat in Edsall’s offense over the second half of last season.
“While at first I thought it was important to limit the institutions to which they could transfer, I have since reconsidered my decision,” said Edsall in a university-issued statement. “At the end of the day, I want what’s best for these guys and I wish them well in their futures.”
Edsall is doing the right thing, albeit one week behind schedule and after the little-needed negative attention paid to his program. The one major difference between Connecticut and Maryland is now clear: Edsall might have been able to play this game at his old stop, but moving up the prestige ladder comes with its drawbacks – everybody is watching. Playing bad cop, as Edsall did, drew the sort of scorn he could ill afford after his disastrous debut.
If you recall, the initial transfer stipulations were abnormally harsh: O’Brien, Garcia and Rowson could not transfer to any A.C.C. school, West Virginia, Temple or Vanderbilt. The final stipulation underlined the idea that Edsall was unfairly limiting his players’ potential landing spot over a perceived competition with Franklin, who was fresh off a bowl berth in his first season with the Commodores.
While it seems as it Edsall is extending an olive branch to all the parties involved – O’Brien, Garcia, Rowson, Franklin and Vanderbilt – the saga, such as it is, should continue behind closed doors. According to The Washington Post, Maryland “has filed a formal complaint with the A.C.C.” over what it views as improper contact between Franklin and O’Brien before the latter “made his decision to transfer.”
In turn, the A.C.C. has turned the complaint over to the SEC, according to The Post, and the SEC is “expected to review the matter.” In essence, while Edsall and Maryland will allow O’Brien and his teammates to transfer to Vanderbilt, the complaint may, should the A.C.C. and SEC find any improper dealings between Franklin and O’Brien, ultimately prevent the trio from enrolling in Nashville.
For his part, Franklin has denied any wrongdoing. And the complaint’s allegations, that contact was made prior to O’Brien making his decision to leave Maryland, leaves room for interpretation. O’Brien officially informed Maryland last week of his decision to leave, but if he informally declared his decision to Edsall prior to that point and then spoke with Franklin, did Vanderbilt undertake in any wrongdoing?
For now, it seems as if the road is now open for O’Brien to depart for Vanderbilt. Thanks to an N.C.A.A. transfer loophole, O’Brien, who will graduate before the fall begins, is eligible to play immediately rather than sit out a season like a normal transfer. If he does chose Vanderbilt – and it would be shocking if he doesn’t – O’Brien will become an immediate favorite to claim the starting job currently held by Jordan Rodgers.
Not that Vanderbilt is his only option, nor even the leading contender for his services. O’Brien will be an appealing alternative for several B.C.S. conference programs, each of which might view O’Brien as its own Russell Wilson, the former N.C. State quarterback who took Wisconsin to another level in his one-year-rental season last fall. It even makes sense that the Badgers, who might be wary of handing the reins over to Jon Budmayr, would consider reaching out to gauge O’Brien’s interest.
Garcia will also draw interest from several national title-contending programs. Four SEC programs have already offered a scholarship: Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida. The rest of the league might follow, especially a program like South Carolina, which is always in need for able-bodied offensive linemen.
Tags: Danny O'Brien, James Franklin, Jon Budmayr, Mario Rowson, Maryland, Max Garcia, Randy Edsall, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin
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