'14 IN OLB/S Drue Tranquill (Notre Dame Man)

woolybug25

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Ironically, I was one of the guys that wasn't big on AA. Even before he decommited, I had the same concerns with him as I do Drue.

I disagree that competition doesn't matter. Kids that play weak competition don't have tape against sophisticated offenses or fast/strong players. It was easy to see that Deeb wasn't smoke and mirrors because he wasn't doing it against inferior talent, he was doing it with/against other D1 talent. There is miles of difference between the level of football Drue is playing, and powerhouse south FL ball. It's easy for cream to rise to the top in Drue's case.

I think you're missing point on Stanford too. I haven't seen the tape on those guys, but if they are similar to Drue, then a big congrats to them for finding moldable gems. But for every Stanford, there are the majority of other college football teams that can't compete with that level of talent.

Another thing that irkes me about this situation is that we were just in the title game, led by on of the finest seasons I've seen out of an ILB, and our solution to Manti's heir is a recruiting battle against Purdue for a 3 star ATH in which we would convert into a LB.
 
NDinFL

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woolybug25 said:
Ironically, I was one of the guys that wasn't big on AA. Even before he decommited, I had the same concerns with him as I do Drue.

I disagree that competition doesn't matter. Kids that play weak competition don't have tape against sophisticated offenses or fast/strong players. It was easy to see that Deeb wasn't smoke and mirrors because he wasn't doing it against inferior talent, he was doing it with/against other D1 talent. There is miles of difference between the level of football Drue is playing, and powerhouse south FL ball. It's easy for cream to rise to the top in Drue's case.

I think you're missing point on Stanford too. I haven't seen the tape on those guys, but if they are similar to Drue, then a big congrats to them for finding moldable gems. But for every Stanford, there are the majority of other college football teams that can't compete with that level of talent.

Another thing that irkes me about this situation is that we were just in the title game, led by on of the finest seasons I've seen out of an ILB, and our solution to Manti's heir is a recruiting battle against Purdue for a 3 star ATH in which we would convert into a LB.
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I think that's quite a stretch to imply Drue is Manti's heir...
 
IrishLax

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woolybug25 said:
Ironically, I was one of the guys that wasn't big on AA. Even before he decommited, I had the same concerns with him as I do Drue.
Click to expand...

Then that's not ironic. That's consistent. And I respect that.

I disagree that competition doesn't matter. Kids that play weak competition don't have tape against sophisticated offenses or fast/strong players. It was easy to see that Deeb wasn't smoke and mirrors because he wasn't doing it against inferior talent, he was doing it with/against other D1 talent. There is miles of difference between the level of football Drue is playing, and powerhouse south FL ball. It's easy for cream to rise to the top in Drue's case.

I think you're missing point on Stanford too. I haven't seen the tape on those guys, but if they are similar to Drue, then a big congrats to them for finding moldable gems. But for every Stanford, there are the majority of other college football teams that can't compete with that level of talent.

Another thing that irkes me about this situation is that we were just in the title game, led by on of the finest seasons I've seen out of an ILB, and our solution to Manti's heir is a recruiting battle against Purdue for a 3 star ATH in which we would convert into a LB.
Click to expand...

The Stanford guys were all developmental prospects with questionable tape (or no tape at all) at their projected position. Harbaugh evaluated their mindset and athletic profile and picked them for what he thought they could develop into. No different really than what we did with Matuska or Kinlaw last year. Or under Weis, Zbikowski was listed by Rivals as the #9 dual-threat QB but he projected him as a safety.
 
TheTurningPoint

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woolybug25 said:
Ironically, I was one of the guys that wasn't big on AA. Even before he decommited, I had the same concerns with him as I do Drue.

I disagree that competition doesn't matter. Kids that play weak competition don't have tape against sophisticated offenses or fast/strong players. It was easy to see that Deeb wasn't smoke and mirrors because he wasn't doing it against inferior talent, he was doing it with/against other D1 talent. There is miles of difference between the level of football Drue is playing, and powerhouse south FL ball. It's easy for cream to rise to the top in Drue's case.

I think you're missing point on Stanford too. I haven't seen the tape on those guys, but if they are similar to Drue, then a big congrats to them for finding moldable gems. But for every Stanford, there are the majority of other college football teams that can't compete with that level of talent.

Another thing that irkes me about this situation is that we were just in the title game, led by on of the finest seasons I've seen out of an ILB, and our solution to Manti's heir is a recruiting battle against Purdue for a 3 star ATH in which we would convert into a LB.
Click to expand...



I dont disagree with Deebs tape being better and playing better competition. Deeb's jr film though is night and day compared to his Senior Film.

Michael Deeb #42 LB C/o 2013 American Heritage (Plantation) Mid-Season - YouTube

Deeb isnt the fasters, strongest in this 'highlight' tape but he flows well and most of the time wraps up. Drue flows well and they both initiate contact.

I dont think Drue is a burner, but he is plenty fast for middle linebacker, thats why he doesnt hold an offer at safety. That's where I draw the line on offering him. LB, let him develop for 2 years and 1. get the weight 2. get to the know the position, much like Fox....in 3 years you have someone that can make a difference. Fox struggled early bc he was figuring out the position and probably played meaningful snaps a year early. Drue will more than likely have ample time to develop if he flips to the Irish. Deeb/Randolph/Martini/Grace will still be there.

I think that is what the staff sees, is that sure its a risky take based off what they look for in a middle linebacker, but the reward is great enough down the line to take a chance with them having some quality prospects there as well. Then when ND goes BCSing this year, then maybe a prospect pops up ala Redfield, Vanderdoes, Bryant. Jaylon Johnson is still supposed to visit and is high on ND, so don't forget about him too.

There will be a spot or two opened up with transfers so ND in all reality could get 25-26 in the class when push comes to shove.
 
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koonja

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How do you guys think Drue compares to Greer Martini? Greer is listed at 6'3", 207, almost exactly what Drue is.
 
NDWorld247

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IrishLax said:
The Stanford guys were all developmental prospects with questionable tape (or no tape at all) at their projected position. Harbaugh evaluated their mindset and athletic profile and picked them for what he thought they could develop into. No different really than what we did with Matuska or Kinlaw last year. Or under Weis, Zbikowski was listed by Rivals as the #9 dual-threat QB but he projected him as a safety.
Click to expand...

Recruiting is all about projection. HS coaches don't really give a crap about what position college coaches see their players playing. They are just trying to win games and put players in the best position to help their team. My HS team is facing this "issue" right now. There's a division 1 fan base out there right now that's going to see their incoming star safety playing OLB all season. You think we give a shits? Most of the time the position is consistent from HS to college, but definitely not the case 100% of the time.

Also, I wonder if we'd be having this conversation if 247 and Rivals didn't project Drue to safety? Based on Drue's highlights, he was lined up at OLB on almost every play. He never played that high safety position. If those services listed him more accurately (OLB), would some people be concerned about his ability to move to ILB? My guess is no.

The thing I really like about Drue is his position flexibility. I like the projection of him to ILB, but he could also be a great DOG for us. Let's say we get a 5-star ILB in the next 1-3 cycles, Drue could easily move outside and start for two years (redshirt as a freshman, take over for Jaylon when he leaves). You can't say that about a lot of ILB prospects.
 
PANDFAN

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom">@GoldandBlackcom</a>: Drue Tranquill visiting <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Purdue&src=hash">#Purdue</a> Thursday, per a source.</p>— Jake Brown (@Jake_Brown) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jake_Brown/statuses/370592434771611649">August 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Whiskeyjack

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Probably wants to tell them he's decommitting in person. Stand-up guy.
 
beryirish

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or maybe just a reassurance visit then make a solid commitment to whichever school.
 
Luckylucci

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IIRC, he told II that he was going to be making another visit to Purdue prior to his final decision. To give them another chance. Now that doesn't mean he won't commit next week but this has been the plan.
 
Emcee77

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Luckylucci said:
IIRC, he told II that he was going to be making another visit to Purdue prior to his final decision. To give them another chance. Now that doesn't mean he won't commit next week but this has been the plan.
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Right, I thought I remembered reading the same. He was always going to take another visit to Purdue.
 
rtrn2glory

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Prister on II had a breakdown of his film recently and stated that he didn't think he projected will at MLB for us.
 
Irishnuke

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“@AnnaHScout: RT @AllenTrieu: How bout this? Drue Tranquill just threw a 31-yard TD pass. And he returns punts but will play LB in college.”
 
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koonja

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Irishnuke said:
“@AnnaHScout: RT @AllenTrieu: How bout this? Drue Tranquill just threw a 31-yard TD pass. And he returns punts but will play LB in college.”
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Purdue wants him at safety, right? If so, that's a telling tweet.
 
Irish#1

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Luckylucci said:
IIRC, he told II that he was going to be making another visit to Purdue prior to his final decision. To give them another chance. Now that doesn't mean he won't commit next week but this has been the plan.
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To me that sounds like he's Irish unless Hazell can pull a rabbit out of his hat.
 
STLDomer

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Honesty expected him to be Irish by now. We'll see what if he follows through with all of his plans which I believe included a visit for the Temple game
 
CanadalovesND

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rtrn2glory said:
so has he already visited purdue again? or is it this Thursday?
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He was at Purdue on this past Thursday. He did say after he visited ND he would visit Purdue one more time before coming to a final decision. Probably sometime next week we'll know his decision.
 
A

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I saw a video report from a local TV station that claimed he was going to be there on Sunday, not Thursday.

247 shows an unofficial visit to Purdue on Sunday as well.
 
Ironman8

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Drue Tranquill will visit <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Purdue&src=hash">#Purdue</a> for ND game and ND for Michigan State game. 'No timetable on this,' he said.</p>— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom/statuses/371775713331789824">August 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
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