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

[Whiskeyjack]

i sitll think there are those out there doubting his abilities. However, they realize how important he is to our depth.

As a LB project, he's not the 4-5 can't-miss stud we've been hoping for on the inside. But he's also unlikely to be a bust; as a high character kid with good size and athleticism, he should at least be a positive locker room influence and solid contributor on ST.

At this point, we need bodies at ILB, and Tranquill checks a lot of boxes for us. Do want.

 

[woolybug25]

As a LB project, he's not the 4-5 can't-miss stud we've been hoping for on the inside. But he's also unlikely to be a bust; as a high character kid with good size and athleticism, he should at least be a positive locker room influence and solid contributor on ST.

At this point, we need bodies at ILB, and Tranquill checks a lot of boxes for us. Do want.

I think it all depends on what level of performance would be considered being a "bust".

I think that Tranquill becoming a good special teams player and making the rotation for LB or even safety would be a good career for him. Some may consider that a bust, but I think expecting him to become an all american or even a standout is setting the bar too high. If he reached that level, I would consider that as outperforming expectations.

 

[50milesSE ND]

I think it all depends on what level of performance would be considered being a "bust".

I think that Tranquill becoming a good special teams player and making the rotation for LB or even safety would be a good career for him. Some may consider that a bust, but I think expecting him to become an all american or even a standout is setting the bar too high. If he reached that level, I would consider that as outperforming expectations.

Eifert wasn't highly rated either. I doubted that he would be as good as he was so anything is possible. Some great talent in Ft. Wayne.

 

[woolybug25]

Eifert wasn't highly rated either. I doubted that he would be as good as he was so anything is possible. Some great talent in Ft. Wayne.

2 things:

1) Eifert outperformed expectations.

2) It's not like guys like Eifert are common. To expect every 3 star kid to become an all american like Eifert is completely unfair to these guys.

 

[anarin]

2 things:

1) Eifert outperformed expectations.

2) It's not like guys like Eifert are common. To expect every 3 star kid to become an all american like Eifert is completely unfair to these guys.

You would be suprised at the number of 3 star or lower all americans.

 

[peoriairish]

Something interesting that was brought up on Power Hour was the position he's being recruited for. He was offered as a ILB, obviously, but apparently, he doesn't really want to play there. He seems like he really wants to play safety or a nickle DB stepping up in the box supporting the run only sometimes. This past weekend, Elston told him this weekend that he would be recruited as a defensive athlete now. Tranquill mentioned how he knows he's not tall enough to play OLB at ND, but he could play that role at Purdue, indicating he really wants to use more of his coverage skills than run stuffing constantly. That has eased his mind now and is another reason why Christian thinks he's Irish at the end.

I however, am not so positive. I think he really seems like he has just made so many connections at Purdue, that it will be very hard for him to flip. He loves the engineering program and spoke more highly of the Purdue game atmosphere than the ND atmosphere. We will see, but I'm thinking it's current 55/45 in favor of Purdue. But let's be honest. Christian knows more in his pinky than I do in my whole body about ND recruiting. Looks like we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[jimmymac]

You would be suprised at the number of 3 star or lower all americans.

Not with the quantity of three stars that come out of high school.

There are soooooo many three stars that some, i.e. Eifert, are bound to become All Americans.

 

[woolybug25]

You would be suprised at the number of 3 star or lower all americans.

Jimmy pretty much summed it up. The percentage of 3star guys becoming all americans is pretty low. Of course there are plenty of them out there, but as a percentage its not even close. So setting that as a standard of success for a 3 star kid is doing them a disservice. They are exceeding expectations if they reach that level.

 

[Luckylucci]

All Americans I agree but we don't need 22 all Americans. A fair percentage of contributing players at winning programs consist of 3 star players.

 

[woolybug25]

All Americans I agree but we don't need 22 all Americans. A fair percentage of contributing players at winning programs consist of 3 star players.

Exactly... that was my point. I was just saying that expectations shouldn't be that for guys like Drue. He wouldn't be a bust if he became a contributing player that we could depend on.

As I said, if he became a star, then he would have exceeded expectations.

 

[NDdomer2]

As a LB project, he's not the 4-5 can't-miss stud we've been hoping for on the inside. But he's also unlikely to be a bust; as a high character kid with good size and athleticism, he should at least be a positive locker room influence and solid contributor on ST.

At this point, we need bodies at ILB, and Tranquill checks a lot of boxes for us. Do want.

This is where I am too, I just was giving my opinion on the consensus here.

I think another angle with Drue's recruitment is AWP. We all know how much it sucks being on the outside looking in with sour6, I certainly don't want us to hamper what seems to be a good thing going with AWP.

 

[Luckylucci]

Agree completely, I think if we can find guys that want to be here and fill roles then sprinkle in the occasional freak we'll be great.

 

[BeauBenken]

Some great talent in Ft. Wayne.

Have to agree. Kids and THE teams in Ft. Wayne can straight up ball.

 

[fightingirish26]

So I personally don't really want him as a "defensive athlete." He could play a similar role at Purdue and see the field. He's not going to see the field at safety or dog, in my opinion. The only way he makes a big contribution to us is if he's at ilb. If he's not willing to do that then he'll do great at Purdue. I don't want another chrisbadger John turner type where it's doubtful if they'll make a great contribution.

For the record, drue is probly going to be a lot better than turner and badger

 

[Emcee77]

Yeah let's not give up on John Turner ... he got some praise from Kelly in fall camp.

 

[fightingirish26]

Mostly everybody on the team has received praise from Kelly at one point in their careers

 

[Junkhead]

He loves the engineering program and spoke more highly of the Purdue game atmosphere than the ND atmosphere.

I went to Purdue. (before transferring) I root for them when they are playing anyone other than ND. The Purdue game atmosphere compared to ND is night and day though. The only time Purdue's atmosphere is exciting is when ND is there.

 

[pkt77242]

Jimmy pretty much summed it up. The percentage of 3star guys becoming all americans is pretty low. Of course there are plenty of them out there, but as a percentage its not even close. So setting that as a standard of success for a 3 star kid is doing them a disservice. They are exceeding expectations if they reach that level.

Success for the typical 3 star for me is a couple of years contributing on special teams and as a backup and then 1-2 years starting. That would be success for the typical 3 star on a good team.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Another way to look at it is, that under BK, the 3 star talent he has signed has massive amounts of potential surrounding them. I agree with Wooly in that you cant put expectations on them bc it truly is a dis-service to them. Under Kelly, the 3 stars he has recruited offer unique skills sets and have the potential to become impact players. I know you can say that about any kid that signs D1, but if you break it down, most of the 3 stars he has signed offer something that most 3 stars dont.

Just look at this years class..

Blankenship - Pass rush is on a very high level, its his run game that needs work..BUT what does ND lack this year? Pass rush.

Bonner - Pass Rush is on a high level, along with just athleticism for his size. Getting his weight up and fixing technique are going to be his biggest hurdles to see the field.

Martini - D1 size now, and has speed for a ILB. The question is his strength, but he has the intangibles to play at ND.

Trumbetti - Just like Blankenship, a great pass rusher and adds a tremendous amount of speed and athleticism to the position. I mean he is playing running back right now haha. Also like Blankenship, he is going to need that weight and learn how to hold the point of attack in the run game, but the pass rush is something that you have or you dont.

Weishar - Elite size and runs his routes at a advanced level. The kid is a more physically ready Heuerman, where he still needs weight and needs to work on strength. But his pass game skills are advanced beyond most his age.

Tranquill- Would add speed and athleticism that 90% of inside backers dont have. But he needs 20-25lbs.

Thats why they are 3 stars bc they arent checking off all the boxes across the board, or havent the played position they will play in college yet. If you look at some of the other 3 stars in the nation...they are good football players but do not have a skill set that would set them apart. NDs recruiting kids that do have a part of their game that would be considered a 4-5 star level, and its on the staff/longo to get their weaknesses up to par.

 

[woolybug25]

Success for the typical 3 star for me is a couple of years contributing on special teams and as a backup and then 1-2 years starting. That would be success for the typical 3 star on a good team.

That's exactly what I said in my original post.

 

[eNDzone]

Another way to look at it is, that under BK, the 3 star talent he has signed has massive amounts of potential surrounding them. I agree with Wooly in that you cant put expectations on them bc it truly is a dis-service to them. Under Kelly, the 3 stars he has recruited offer unique skills sets and have the potential to become impact players. I know you can say that about any kid that signs D1, but if you break it down, most of the 3 stars he has signed offer something that most 3 stars dont.

Just look at this years class..

Blankenship - Pass rush is on a very high level, its his run game that needs work..BUT what does ND lack this year? Pass rush.

Bonner - Pass Rush is on a high level, along with just athleticism for his size. Getting his weight up and fixing technique are going to be his biggest hurdles to see the field.

Martini - D1 size now, and has speed for a ILB. The question is his strength, but he has the intangibles to play at ND.

Trumbetti - Just like Blankenship, a great pass rusher and adds a tremendous amount of speed and athleticism to the position. I mean he is playing running back right now haha. Also like Blankenship, he is going to need that weight and learn how to hold the point of attack in the run game, but the pass rush is something that you have or you dont.

Weishar - Elite size and runs his routes at a advanced level. The kid is a more physically ready Heuerman, where he still needs weight and needs to work on strength. But his pass game skills are advanced beyond most his age.

Tranquill- Would add speed and athleticism that 90% of inside backers dont have. But he needs 20-25lbs.

Thats why they are 3 stars bc they arent checking off all the boxes across the board, or havent the played position they will play in college yet. If you look at some of the other 3 stars in the nation...they are good football players but do not have a skill set that would set them apart. NDs recruiting kids that do have a part of their game that would be considered a 4-5 star level, and its on the staff/longo to get their weaknesses up to par.

Looks like most of these guys just need a little Longo Time.

 

[ThePiombino]

Looks like most of these guys just need a little Longo Time.

But I thought he had to go?

 

[Luckylucci]

But I thought he had to go?

He does, clearly he has no idea what he's doing. Tranquill's only a 3 star.

 

[NDWorld247]

Re: star rankings...this is how Rivals and 247 define a 3-star:

Rivals: 5.7-5.5 All-Region Selection; considered among the region's top prospects and among the top 750 or so prospects in the country; high-to-mid-major prospect; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team

247 Sports: 89-80 = Three-star prospect. These are the players who will develop into reliable starters for the college teams. They are among the best players in their region of the country, and are generally among the top 750 players in the nation.

I personally don't think there is any difference between a 3 and 4 star player. I also respect college staff evaluations a lot more than some of the jokers that are responsible for star rankings.

Re: the ND's staff ability to recruit...you can probably count on one hand the number of "busts" (i.e. very little impact) this staff has had in four recruiting cycles. Their batting average is as high as anyone in the nation.

 

[Kak7304]

4 TDs off 5 touches in the first half tonight.

 

[ThePiombino]

4 TDs off 5 touches in the first half tonight.

Pft. A 4-star would have been 5 for 5. Don't want.

 

[NDdomer2]

i just found out my old hs beat carroll the other week...wouldn't have happened if he were committed to nd

 

[stlnd01]

I personally don't think there is any difference between a 3 and 4 star player. I also respect college staff evaluations a lot more than some of the jokers that are responsible for star rankings.

Re: the ND's staff ability to recruit...you can probably count on one hand the number of "busts" (i.e. very little impact) this staff has had in four recruiting cycles. Their batting average is as high as anyone in the nation.

I know what you're trying to say. But, really? A low three-star is, per Rivals and 247, one of the 750 best high school players in the country. A high four-star is in the top 40. There's a big difference.
I agree that coaching staffs often have a better sense of a player's talent than the recruiting web site gurus. More importantly, they know how that player fits in to their teams culture, system and depth chart in ways the recruiting web sites can't possibly measure.
We all know of two and three star recruits who play on Sundays, and of five-star flameouts. But let's not pretend there's no difference. I agree Kelly's had few "busts" in recruiting - at least among the kids who stick around - but there's a reason Jaylon Smith and Cole Luke are playing right now and Michael Deeb and Devin Butler aren't. Why Manti Te'o was all-world while Carlo Calabrese just isn't. Talent matters. We need to keep upgrading it if we want to beat good teams.

 

[NDWorld247]

I know what you're trying to say. But, really? A low three-star is, per Rivals and 247, one of the 750 best high school players in the country. A high four-star is in the top 40. There's a big difference.
I agree that coaching staffs often have a better sense of a player's talent than the recruiting web site gurus. More importantly, they know how that player fits in to their teams culture, system and depth chart in ways the recruiting web sites can't possibly measure.
We all know of two and three star recruits who play on Sundays, and of five-star flameouts. But let's not pretend there's no difference. I agree Kelly's had few "busts" in recruiting - at least among the kids who stick around - but there's a reason Jaylon Smith and Cole Luke are playing right now and Michael Deeb and Devin Butler aren't. Why Manti Te'o was all-world while Carlo Calabrese just isn't. Talent matters. We need to keep upgrading it if we want to beat good teams.

That's a good point. In most cases, a high four star turns out better than a low 3-star and I was wrong to say there isn't any difference. I probably should have said there isn't any (or much) difference between the #254 player in the country (the last 4-star according to 247 composite) and the #354 player (Drue according to 247 composite). At some point, and I don't know exactly where that point is, there's very little difference between a 4-star and 3-star.

 

[OCIrish]

i just found out my old hs beat carroll the other week...wouldn't have happened if he were committed to nd

Did you go to New Haven????? I went to Homestead, who plays Carroll this coming Friday......I'm going to try to make it to the game!!!!