Penn State Football: Danny O’Brien Attends Spring Practice

Danny O’Brien will attend Wisconsin, the school announced Wednesday. To read an updated report, click here.

UPDATED @ 5:30 p.m. March 26

Maryland transfer quarterback Danny O’Brien attended spring practice Monday wearing a blue Penn State jacket, handed to him by PSU recruiting coordinator Bill Kavanaugh.

It’s O’Brien’s second visit to Penn State in less than two weeks. A redshirt junior, O’Brien would have two years of eligibility remaining.

He just finished a weekend trip to Wisconsin and is expected to make a final decision sooner than later. O’Brien also visited Ole Miss last week.

Penn State coach Bill O’Brien declined to comment on Danny O’Brien (no relation) at his Monday news conference. Danny O’Brien also declined comment.

Earlier report @ 2 p.m.

First-year coach Bill O’Brien just wrapped up addressing the press prior to his first spring practice Monday afternoon in the Beaver Stadium media room.

Among the highlights:

• Redshirt junior Wildcat/wide receiver Curtis Drake has been moved to cornerback.

• Running back Curtis Dukes will not be with the team in the spring so he can focus on academics. He’ll return to the team in the summer, O’Brien said.

• O’Brien did not address Maryland transfer quarterback Danny O’Brien but shed light on the quarterback competition: ‘I’ll be real clear on that, it’s an open competition. There is no starter and there won’t be a starter until possibly the night before the Ohio game.’

• Paul Jones ‘has turned a corner’ academically and will take first-team reps as if he’s going to be able to play this fall.

• Linebacker Mike Mauti will be held out of contact drills during the spring. Defensive end Pete Massaro will participate in spring drills. Both are coming off torn ACL injuries.

• O’Brien hasn’t watched offensive game film because he wants to evaluate each position in his system. He has watched some defensive film, however.

• O’Brien did not comment on the status of wide receiver Devon Smith after Monday’s news that police searched his apartment for drugs.

• Garry Gilliam, Kevin Haplea and freshman Jesse James have impressed at the tight end position.

• O’Brien will call offensive plays, but will let quarterbacks coach Charlie Fisher handle series-by-series adjustments in-game. O’Brien is unsure what coaches will be in the booth and on the sidelines.

• Don’t be surprised if players frequently change positions during the spring. O’Brien has compared spring practice to an NFL mini camp in that it’s a time to experiment with players at different positions.

• O’Brien will treat the Blue-White Game as a real game, with him calling offensive plays and defensive coordinator Ted Roof handling the defensive calls. ‘That’s very much of a business day for us.’

• O’Brien said the defensive staff has met everyday since Super Bowl ended. ‘We’ll probably be lucky to get a first down,’ he quipped.

Related coverage:

• StateCollege.com’s Penn State football page

• Penn State Football: Bill O’Brien Says Danny O’Brien Interested in Nittany Lions