Profile for 2012 U of M Recruit Dan O’Brien

2012 Football Recruiting Board

Name: Dan O’Brien
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height & Weight: 6’2” 285 lbs.
High School: L.M. Powers (MI)

COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS

INTERVIEW

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j59T6fjKubE[/tube]

QUOTES

On Himself: “I’ve got a great first step off the ball. I’m very explosive and play hard-nosed and go after the ball. I pursue the quarterback hard. I want to get stronger and quicker. I really want to improve my 40-speed (says he runs a 5.1).”

Comparing his game to Jared Allen: “That’s because of his intensity and his just going crazy. I love to hit. There ain’t nothing like it. Any sport I play, I always play with intensity. I always go nuts. I think that is the way to do it. You just throw your body out there. That’s the way to play football.”

On His Fandom: “I grew up a fan of Ohio State and Michigan. I was a Michigan fan when I was real young and then I turned to Ohio State. My brother is always saying stuff like, ‘Michigan is looking good this week.’ I’m always saying stuff back to my brother and my dad. They are both big Michigan guys. They are always definitely bugging me.”

ANALYSIS

Sean O’Connell, UMGoBlog.com: “Danny O is a very intense, high energy football player. His motor is second to none and has a very quick, explosive first step. To put it simply, he is just a straight up football player. Danny is the type of kid who will come into your program and work very hard to be the best he can. He’ll need to add a little weight and strength, but O’Brien has the potential to be a very solid player wherever he ends up.”

Scouts Inc., ESPN.com: “This guy is one of those overachieving, snot blowing yard dawgs that every team would love to have because he plays with a great motor, he is relentless in his effort and he is actually a pretty darn good football player … Plays with a low base and can anchor. He is an inside plugger, on-gap guy that is extremely disruptive, but limited in terms of top end speed and play pursuit. With O’Brien you know what you are going to get and his effort is awesome. He is a non-BCS/BCS level ‘tweener.”

Jack Slice, TheWolverineBlog.com: “He’s very fundamentally sound, and is consistently in the backfield. While registering only 3 sacks last year, he managed to disrupt the offense’s progress consistently. He has a great motor and keeps his feet churning. He plays low and gets great leverage. Uses his hand well in shedding blockers. Explodes off the snap. Shows above average instincts. Played both the 3-tech DT and DE for his high school this year. Has phenomenal athleticism for his size.”

Allen Trieu, Scout.com: “I don’t think O’Brien is a "wow" guy in terms of size. He’s a nice sized defensive tackle at 6’2, 280-lbs, but it’s his quickness off the ball and relentless nature that make him special. He has excellent agility and doesn’t seem to know how to play any other way but full board.”

STATS