O'Brien signs with Dickinson State

Scott O'Brien said didn't think he would be a student-athlete on the collegiate level next year.

But Division II Dickinson State of North Dakota came calling and liked what they saw in O'Brien. So the Carson High senior signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to play football and participate in track at the school.

The 6-1, 180-pounder was recruited by the school in recent weeks and he took a recruiting trip to the campus. O'Brien said he also considered Southern Oregon, but one trip to Dickinson State was enough for him to make his decision.

Dickinson State's football team has had 27 straight winning seasons and the track team is consistently among the best in the nation.

O'Brien, who played quaterback and cornerback for Carson last season, will be a cornerback for Dickinson State.

"They liked my speed and size back there," said O'Brien, whose time has approached 4.5 in the 40.

O'Brien said he should redshirt next year in football so he can beef up in the weight room and become used to the atmosphere. "I guess they have an awesome weight program," O'Brien said.

In track, O'Brien will compete in the 400-meter hurdles and the 4x400 relay. With Carson this spring, he has been part of the 4x200 relay that set a school record and a 4x400 relay that has Northern Nevada's top time. "We look pretty good right now," O'Brien said.

O'Brien said the school has offered to what amounts to be a half scholarship that could eventually lead to a full scholarship.

"I was thinking of just not playing next year and just going to UNR and going to school," said O'Brien, who plans to become a teacher and a coach. "It's great to have a future, four more years to play at a different level. A lot of kids dream about that and I get the chance to do it."