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

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Based off of Drue's tweets, evidently he is feeling a lot of heat/criticism over his decision to reconsider Notre Dame. Obviously these people are either Purdue fans or are simply ND haters.

I have a feeling it is somewhat directed at Mr. Davis from the News-Sentinel

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Carroll HS sr fb stud Drue Tranquill says he's "officially committed" to Purdue, yet there he is on Notre Dame sidelines wearing Irish gear.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381490725692514304">September 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>For the <a href="https://twitter.com/Carroll_HS_FB">@Carroll_HS_FB</a> fans sending me voice mails and emails, there is a big difference between criticizing Drue Tranquill as a person...</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802198117527553">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>and criticizing Drue Tranquill's handling of a situation (re: Purdue recruitment). There is a massive difference.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802332926664705">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>My only thought re: Drue Tranquill is that it is being disrespectful and dishonest to tell Purdue you are "committed" to them....</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802688511344641">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>when your actions (visiting Notre Dame frequently, hanging w/ their staff/players, and wearing Irish gear on sidelines) show differently.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802882401435649">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate">@ISDUpdate</a> What decision? He's "officially committed" to Purdue. And don't question that or you'll deal with it all day. Take my word.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/382028294524112897">September 23, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[NDBoiler]

I was a couple rows behind the recruit section and in his ear throughout the day lol

You sir, have an incredible knack for being in exactly the right place at all the right times. You had better start writing a book about it.

 

[NDBoiler]

I have a feeling it is somewhat directed at Mr. Davis from the News-Sentinel

QUOTE]

LOL, is this Mr. Davis' first day covering college football recruiting? Can you say chapped ***?

 

[NDdomer2]

I have a feeling it is somewhat directed at Mr. Davis from the News-Sentinel

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Carroll HS sr fb stud Drue Tranquill says he's "officially committed" to Purdue, yet there he is on Notre Dame sidelines wearing Irish gear.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381490725692514304">September 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>For the <a href="https://twitter.com/Carroll_HS_FB">@Carroll_HS_FB</a> fans sending me voice mails and emails, there is a big difference between criticizing Drue Tranquill as a person...</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802198117527553">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>and criticizing Drue Tranquill's handling of a situation (re: Purdue recruitment). There is a massive difference.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802332926664705">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>My only thought re: Drue Tranquill is that it is being disrespectful and dishonest to tell Purdue you are "committed" to them....</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802688511344641">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>when your actions (visiting Notre Dame frequently, hanging w/ their staff/players, and wearing Irish gear on sidelines) show differently.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802882401435649">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate">@ISDUpdate</a> What decision? He's "officially committed" to Purdue. And don't question that or you'll deal with it all day. Take my word.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/382028294524112897">September 23, 2013</a></blockquote>
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crazy world where a 40/50 year old man has to go to twitter to defend himself. If he didn't feel he did anything wrong why respond. Just keep writing.

On the other hand, sounds like this guy doesn't quite understand college recruiting and either dislikes ND or really likes PU.

 

[palinurus]

I have a feeling it is somewhat directed at Mr. Davis from the News-Sentinel

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Carroll HS sr fb stud Drue Tranquill says he's "officially committed" to Purdue, yet there he is on Notre Dame sidelines wearing Irish gear.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381490725692514304">September 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>For the <a href="https://twitter.com/Carroll_HS_FB">@Carroll_HS_FB</a> fans sending me voice mails and emails, there is a big difference between criticizing Drue Tranquill as a person...</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802198117527553">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>and criticizing Drue Tranquill's handling of a situation (re: Purdue recruitment). There is a massive difference.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802332926664705">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>My only thought re: Drue Tranquill is that it is being disrespectful and dishonest to tell Purdue you are "committed" to them....</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802688511344641">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>when your actions (visiting Notre Dame frequently, hanging w/ their staff/players, and wearing Irish gear on sidelines) show differently.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/381802882401435649">September 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate">@ISDUpdate</a> What decision? He's "officially committed" to Purdue. And don't question that or you'll deal with it all day. Take my word.</p>— Tom Davis (@Tom101010) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tom101010/statuses/382028294524112897">September 23, 2013</a></blockquote>
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I don't know either way, but maybe Purdue encouraged Drue to commit and he said, "look, I'm inclined to, but I want to look around and be sure." and Purdue said, "Fine, but you can commit and still do that," thinking that once he commits to Purdue, he'd be less inclined to look around or commit elsewhere.

I admit I don't know what Purdue told Drue, but I doubt Davis knows, either. As it is, Davis's criticism is hollow, and he sounds defensive and looks like a blowhard and a bully.

 

[ab2cmiller]

I have a feeling it is somewhat directed at Mr. Davis from the News-Sentinel

He must be hanging out to much with Ben Smith from the Journal Gazette.

 

[md_bennett]

The guy is a local writer with 1237 followers total. I don't really care what he has to say. This sounds like B1G butthurt all day to me, and they better get used to it because when a coach can sell a program and school he will not stop recruiting just because of an arbitrary commitment. If you want to run with the big dogs you better learn to recruit with them. If you want players that nobody else fights for that's your problem to deal with later. If you want the best players then be prepared to fight tooth and nail to get them and keep them.

 

[koonja]

listening to one foot down they stated that we have bulked our linebackers up too much (kuenja) and are not fast enough...they feel someone like Tranquil is more along the lines of what we need in the middle...someone more longer/faster

Ha!

 

[Emcee77]

I've been thinking this for a while now (at least a month), but now it seems as if Drue could be ready to flip to ND, so I need some reassurance. I am having a hard time getting excited about his potential commitment. He is a consesus middle of the road 3-star recruit, yet many seem to imply he is destined to be a big time player. Is his upside that huge that just no one in the recruiting world sees it just yet? Help me out here, as I want to be excited, but I'm just not seeing the reasons for excitement yet.

Maybe. Wiltfong seems to think so. He was just saying last week that Tranquill is a great athlete (he cited his combine scores; I forget the exact numbers) who is being underrecruited.

Reminds me of C.J. Prosise or Chris Brown or Romeo Okwara ... elite athleticism, but for some reason he isn't being recruited like an elite guy.

LOL, is this Mr. Davis' first day covering college football recruiting? Can you say chapped ***?

Yep. Drue isn't doing anything wrong.

I get the writer's confusion; I used to say similar things when I first started following recruiting: "How can a guy be 'committed' when he is clearly undecided?"

But that's just getting wrapped up in semantics. If you look at the context, it makes sense. He committed to Purdue. Then he got a late offer from ND. Now he's doing his due diligence. If this writer's son got into school A, accepted the offer of admission, then got in off the wait list to school B, wouldn't he do the same thing? Give the kid a break.

 

[arrowryan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Man I just love all my supporters and fans who have helped me through this process!</p>— Drue Tranquill ✈ (@d_TraNquill) <a href="https://twitter.com/d_TraNquill/statuses/382195227294834690">September 23, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[Kak7304]

I am excited because all reports are that he is a fantastic athlete. The big downside as I see it is the fact his body as it is currently is a tweener.

Does he show up on campus and become a safety or does he add some muscle and move to ilb. Regardless of what the staff has plans for there is no guarantee he becomes the ilb we all HOPE he does.

I most certainly welcome him to be a member of this recruiting class (not that i have any say but do like his upside) but do think we might be looking at his recruitment with green tainted eyes because of the hole he potentially fits is one of our bigger ones and we arent sitting pretty with anyone else at the position.

The last time we had a 3-star tweener from Fort Wayne turned out pretty well for us. Drue might not contribute at ILB right away as he may need a year or two to bulk up but after watching Calabrese, I'm all for safety athleticism at LB. Kelly has a history of taking tweener types at multiple positions and moving them to the less athletic position to upgrade the athleticism at that position. Examples include big TEs to LT (Joe Staley, Tate Nichols), CBs to safeties (Hardy, Shumate), safeties to LBs, etc.

 

[NDdomer2]

The last time we had a 3-star tweener from Fort Wayne turned out pretty well for us. Drue might not contribute at ILB right away as he may need a year or two to bulk up but after watching Calabrese, I'm all for safety athleticism at LB. Kelly has a history of taking tweener types at multiple positions and moving them to the less athletic position to upgrade the athleticism at that position. Examples include big TEs to LT (Joe Staley, Tate Nichols), CBs to safeties (Hardy, Shumate), safeties to LBs, etc.

Not all fort wayne 3 star tweeners are created equal

I don't think anyone is expecting him to contribute right away. maybe special teams.

By no means am i against taking this kid so i hope that isn't how it came across.

I would also say that a wr/te can translate to college success way easier than a lb/s.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Crazy that Drue is our top realistic ILB prospect.

 

[IrishLax]

Crazy that Drue is our top realistic ILB prospect.

Martini. Hopefully he doesn't suck. Makes a lot of big plays, but people question his athleticism.

 

[irishff1014]

Crazy that Drue is our top realistic ILB prospect.

Yup my exact thoughts

 

[DCIrish]

Martini. Hopefully he doesn't suck. Makes a lot of big plays, but people question his athleticism.

I think he's talking about uncommitted recruits. The fact Tranquill is the only ILB they seem to have a shot at is not good.

 

[IrishLax]

I think he's talking about uncommitted recruits. The fact Tranquill is the only ILB they seem to have a shot at is not good.

Gotcha.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Crazy that Drue is our top realistic ILB prospect.

4 - 3

 

[Rack Em]

Martini. Hopefully he doesn't suck. Makes a lot of big plays, but people question his athleticism.

I think this might be Diaco's criteria in recruiting ILBs

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Martini. Hopefully he doesn't suck. Makes a lot of big plays, but people question his athleticism.

Their 247 Composite Scores are nearly identical (Tranquill v. Martini). And it's probably uncontroversial to say that Tranquill's ceiling is higher given his superior athleticism.

 

[IrishLax]

Their 247 Composite Scores are nearly identical (Tranquill v. Martini). And it's probably uncontroversial to say that Tranquill's ceiling is higher given his superior athleticism.

Yeah. I dunno though... Martini's sophomore highlights were Manti-esque when it comes to causing turnovers and making big plays. Back then he also looked like this:

Instead of this:

So he's definitely been growing and adding weight. The reason his composite is low is because Rivals HATES him. He's a legit 6'3" 230 now and 247, Scout, and ESPN all have him as a 4.

His main question mark will be that next level speed/athleticism. Typical. I'm not sure he's got it. Ultimately, might end up being a better SAM for a 4-3.

 

[IrishLax]

Here's his junior year highlights. Got to say, his ability to get vertical on some passing plays is at least encouraging on the athleticism front. Most of the questions about him have to do with when Farrell saw him as a sophomore and said he was slow. He didn't do many combines and I think had a poor showing in the 40 at the one he did.

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[arrowryan]

Crazy that Drue is our top realistic ILB prospect.

We need to land a gem at MLB in the 2015 class, as well as a QB

 

[IrishLax]

We need to land a gem at MLB in the 2015 class, as well as a QB

I want 5 ILBs and 3 QBs. I'm only half kidding.

 

[arrowryan]

I want 5 ILBs and 3 QBs. I'm only half kidding.

I was thinking about both of these positions yesterday...

My prediction for the depth chart going into the 2014 season...

QB- Golson, Zaire, Hendrix, Kizer

MLB- Grace, Deeb, Moore, Randolph

Idk about MLB, but I want two quarterbacks next cycle

 

[NDdomer2]

We need to land a gem at MLB in the 2015 class, as well as a QB

dt could be useful

 

[Luckylucci]

We need to land a gem at MLB in the 2015 class, as well as a QB

Justin Hilliard is near the top of my board

 

[ryno 24]

He right now is the top of my board, he can fly and he hits hard. Perfect for our system and he plays tough competition

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Interesting read from <a href="https://twitter.com/SWiltfong247">@SWiltfong247</a> on some midwest recruits, including <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NotreDame&src=hash">#NotreDame</a> target Drue Tranquill <a href="http://t.co/iwRt2fBK6R">http://t.co/iwRt2fBK6R</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/BGInews">@BGInews</a></p>— Blue and Gold News (@BGInews) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGInews/statuses/382871361384742913">September 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[Luckylucci]

As of Sunday evening it seemed as though ND had inched in front of Purdue but after speaking with the Purdue staff this week he is still struggling to come to a decision. Elston has also been in contact with Drue this week and Wiltfong wouldn't be surprised to see a decision this week. He still predicts ND.