On Wednesday, the school announced it was backing off its original decision and would not restrict the transfers of departed quarterback Danny O’Brien, offensive tackle Max Garcia and linebacker Mario Rowson.

When the trio left last week, the Terps stipulated that the players were barred from transferring to several schools, including Vanderbilt, where former Terps assistant James Franklin is now the coach.

“While at first I thought it was important to limit the institutions to which they could transfer, I have since reconsidered my decision,” Maryland coach Randy Edsall said in a statement. “At the end of the day, I want what’s best for these guys and I wish them well in their futures.”

However, Vanderbilt officials revealed Wednesday that the ACC had filed a formal complaint with the SEC against the Commodores’ football team on behalf of one of its members. The school did not go into further detail.

After a disastrous 2-10 season in which he received heavy criticism for blaming the team’s failures on previous coach Ralph Friedgen, Edsall came under more fire last week — much of it from national media outlets — for his handling of the transfer situation.

In last week’s release announcing the departure of the players, Edsall took what was construed as a parting shot at each, saying that O’Brien admitted he wasn’t “all in,” that Garcia was “homesick” and that Rowson was unhappy with a position change.

Wednesday’s press release even went to the extent of providing statements from O’Brien and Garcia.

“I am pleased to be able to move on and pursue a graduate degree and continue my athletic career at a school of my choosing,” O’Brien said in the statement. “I would like to thank Coach Edsall for his support throughout this process.”

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