OBrien has new offer and two leaders

Quarterback Danny O'Brien had been sitting on two offers from in-state schools and recently a third program joined the mix. Who is his new offer from and what are his thoughts on the recruiting process?

Up until recently Duke and East Carolina were the two offers held by the Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth signal caller, but O'Brien has received good news from another program in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"Maryland told me they would offer me (Friday)," O'Brien said. "After they saw me play I called Coach Franklin and he said he felt good about offering. He talked to Coach Friedgen and they called my coach this morning. They said the offer would be in the mail.

"I'm pumped, they're definitely one of my top schools. They and Duke are the two in the clear lead right now. Now that they've offered it's really solidified them at the top. Coach Franklin runs a pro-style offense and that appeals to me a lot. He's had a lot of success wherever he's been, and Coach Friedgen is a great guy."

While Maryland and Duke are at the top of his list, O'Brien is having a hard time deciding which school is really number one. That's important, because he may make his decision before too long.

"I'd say they're pretty close to the same right now," he explained. "I like a lot of different things about them. I haven't really put any plans to camp down yet, but if I don't commit before camps I'll definitely go to those two. East Carolina has offered too so I might go there as well.

"I think I'll commit as soon as I know I'm ready. I don't have a timetable, but I want it to be before my senior year."

The 6-foot-4, 198-pound rising senior from East Forsyth has firmly established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in North Carolina's Class of 2009.