Schools making OBrien a priority
Flint (Mich.) Powers Catholic defensive tackle Danny O'Brien was recently named the No. 222 prospect on the Rivals250, so as you might expect, he's a priority recruit for several schools.
With offers from schools throughout the Big Ten, SEC and elsewhere, O'Brien has heard flattering remarks from coaches throughout the process.
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The 6-foot-3, 293-pound prospect doesn't have any favorites yet, as that will come later, but can already identify two schools that have singled him out as being essential to their recruiting efforts.
"Tennessee is probably recruiting me the hardest," O'Brien said. "They've told me I'm the number one guy on the board for all positions because they're trying to rebuild that defensive line.
"Same thing for Michigan State. They're trying to get some inside guys for the defensive line. They said if they get me they'll probably get another end or inside guy and then they'll be done on the line."
That said, again, O'Brien has no favorites. Plenty of other schools are recruiting him almost as hard as the Vols and Spartans.
This summer O'Brien is likely to visit Tennessee, Michigan, Michigan State, Alabama and Iowa. After those trips, later in the summer, he will probably put together a list comprised of his five favorites.
O'Brien now has 13 total scholarship offers. Vanderbilt offered him last week and the week before that Alabama, Arkansas and Iowa all offered him.
As you might expect, O'Brien is very familiar with the Big Ten schools that are pursuing him. Do the SEC schools have much of a shot?
"Location has nothing to do with my decision," he said. "Wherever I go, across the country or here at home, I have to feel comfortable. It's about academics, facilities and coaches. It's got to be good for me. I'm the one that's got to be there for four or five years. It's just about being comfortable."