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

[Irish#1]

Purdue is a good school and Drue can get a good education there, but there's no comparison with ND's academics and football.

Drue, I know you committed to Purdue and we all admire your integrity. However, you made that decision early and only the 10K Purdue fans in the stands will hold it against you if you flip. It's pretty simple, come to ND and set yourself up for the rest of your life. Unless of course your ambition is to be an astronaut.

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Drue Tranquill previews upcoming <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ND&src=hash">#ND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Purdue&src=hash">#Purdue</a> visits. Said he "wouldn't be surprised" if decision came soon after <a href="http://t.co/A4cJPeawo6">http://t.co/A4cJPeawo6</a></p>— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshHelmholdt/statuses/390504889123500033">October 16, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[Domina Nostra]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Drue Tranquill previews upcoming <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ND&src=hash">#ND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Purdue&src=hash">#Purdue</a> visits. Said he "wouldn't be surprised" if decision came soon after <a href="http://t.co/A4cJPeawo6">http://t.co/A4cJPeawo6</a></p>— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshHelmholdt/statuses/390504889123500033">October 16, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Not sure I would accept Tranquil's commitment this weekend, if he is set on safety.

I like him at ILB, but we have a lot of safeties. If we win and get some recruiting momentum, I'd wait on JuJu. If we swing and miss with him and that scares Tranquil away, you still have Payton and can bring back Collinsworth.

 

[Grahambo]

Purdue is a good school and Drue can get a good education there, but there's no comparison with ND's academics and football.

Drue, I know you committed to Purdue and we all admire your integrity. However, you made that decision early and only the 10K Purdue fans in the stands will hold it against you if you flip. It's pretty simple, come to ND and set yourself up for the rest of your life. Unless of course your ambition is to be an astronaut.

I'm cool with this as long as you don't get mad the next time ND has a de-commitment.

 

[Chi_IRISH]

Not sure I would accept Tranquil's commitment this weekend, if he is set on safety.

I like him at ILB, but we have a lot of safeties. If we win and get some recruiting momentum, I'd wait on JuJu. If we swing and miss with him and that scares Tranquil away, you still have Payton and can bring back Collinsworth.

It doesnt matter if he is set on safety or not! The key is getting him on board then in camp make the position switch. If he is set on safety let him compete at safety, he will soon figure out that he cant play safety with teh talent we have at that position. Im assuming he is smart enough that he will figure out that he is needed and will play more at another position. Just my two cents!

 

[Domina Nostra]

I'm cool with this as long as you don't get mad the next time ND has a de-commitment.

I generally don't. The only thing that drives me crazy about ND recruiting is when we passs up on a borderline 4-star D-Lineman in the name of holding out for a stud.

It doesnt matter if he is set on safety or not! The key is getting him on board then in camp make the position switch. If he is set on safety let him compete at safety, he will soon figure out that he cant play safety with teh talent we have at that position. Im assuming he is smart enough that he will figure out that he is needed and will play more at another position. Just my two cents!

To me, he seems like a Nicki Barratti. I think he'll be good enough to stay in the mix, whether or not he ever starts. That's why I don't see him making the move unless he has a change of heart.

I certainly won't mind if we take hi--he's fast and talented--but Safety is one of the real deep spots on the current roster. That, not D-Tackle, is where we need to be holding out for studs.

 

[Irishman77]

I am fine with him at safety or LB. we will have one of the best potential ILB prospects in Luatua IMO.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I am fine with him at safety or LB. we will have one of the best potential ILB prospects in Luatua IMO.

Does he play LB in addition to TE?

 

[IrishLax]

Not sure I would accept Tranquil's commitment this weekend, if he is set on safety.

I like him at ILB, but we have a lot of safeties. If we win and get some recruiting momentum, I'd wait on JuJu. If we swing and miss with him and that scares Tranquil away, you still have Payton and can bring back Collinsworth.

I think you take him 100%. Can be used as a big safety for power teams, or a speedy linebacker for spread teams... or in the "star" position how they used Jamoris Slaughter for awhile.

Personally, I love what Drue brings to the table.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I think you take him 100%. Can be used as a big safety for power teams, or a speedy linebacker for spread teams... or in the "star" position how they used Jamoris Slaughter for awhile.

Personally, I love what Drue brings to the table.

Makes sense. I guess I was giving too much credence to his offer sheet and those who have been questioning his speed at safety. His 40 times are excellent, but people who have seen him play seem to be a little hesitant to say he has great speed.

 

[Ironman8]

I think you take him 100%. Can be used as a big safety for power teams, or a speedy linebacker for spread teams... or in the "star" position how they used Jamoris Slaughter for awhile.

Personally, I love what Drue brings to the table.

I agree. That sounds great, and that is not even including the possibility of him growing / bulking up and being a speedy full time ILB.

Combine those factors with his noted exemplary intangibles, and I want this kid to be Irish.

 

[ryno 24]

I do not see his problem with growing into an ILB. Dan Fox was an overgrown safety that became an ILB. IT takes work, but if he wanted it easy he will stick with Purdue. He will be able to cover and go sideline to sideline.

 

[PANDFAN]

hmmmmm kinda reminds me of a certain person

hmmmmm kinda reminds me of a certain person

Ht:6'2"verified
Wt:201 lbs

 

[FLDomer]

Ht:6'2"verified
Wt:201 lbs

I dont know if thats good or bad, especially if they want to move Drue to LB...I remember that not working out so well for Harry.

 

[PANDFAN]

I dont know if thats good or bad, especially if they want to move Drue to LB...I remember that not working out so well for Harry.

but this is the same scenario w/ smith when he was recruited..and their measurables are almost identical

 

[FLDomer]

but this is the same scenario w/ smith when he was recruited..and their measurables are almost identical

So do you think Drue stays at and is best suited for safety? Just wondering cause I am lost with where I think he fits. I love his athletic potential at LB but if he puts on the beef, does he loose the speed, and playing LB and having to mix it up with the big boys every play takes a special mental strength too.

 

[Luckylucci]

So do you think Drue stays at and is best suited for safety? Just wondering cause I am lost with where I think he fits. I love his athletic potential at LB but if he puts on the beef, does he loose the speed, and playing LB and having to mix it up with the big boys every play takes a special mental strength too.

I think Lax's explanation above answer this question very well.

 

[PANDFAN]

So do you think Drue stays at and is best suited for safety? Just wondering cause I am lost with where I think he fits. I love his athletic potential at LB but if he puts on the beef, does he loose the speed, and playing LB and having to mix it up with the big boys every play takes a special mental strength too.

if he comes in and trains specifically at LB then i would be more comfortable...with harrison he was sooo undersized in our def but w/ the use of a 3-4 def now and teams being more spread like, i would prefer ND going to more quicker/athletic linebackers vs big stout backers...his athleticism/ceiling to me is much greater at linebacker than safety..

 

[ryno 24]

I think that you need both the principle of our defense is to have a stout front seven. Our D-line are not designed to be pass rushers, that is particularly our cat and Dog backers. The Dline is there to to be two gap players. Our middle Linebackers are supposed to be able to take on offensive lineman. If they are not at least 240 it will be difficult for them to compete in our system. 20-25 pounds would not be difficult for him to put on during his first year at ND.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Athletic "tweeners" like Tranquill, Fox, Baratti, Zbikowski and Harrison Smith are always good takes because they've got high floors. They'll at least produce on ST and provide quality depth.

Toss in Tranquill's intangibles, and taking him is a no-brainer.

 

[woolybug25]

Sorry... don't kill me for my opinion, not asking for it to be yours...

I would tell Drue to "$hit or get off of the pot". We will have 5-7 spots left and we don't have the time/resources to keep recruiting a 3star kid that wants to play a position that we don't think he fits best at. Regardless of how "athletic" he is, there are plenty of other guys on the board with as much, or more, potential.

If he wants to play LB, officially commit to ND and end all visits... then great. If he isn't ready to do that. Then I would prefer our staff use those resources on someone else.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

If he wants to play LB, officially commit to ND and end all visits... then great. If he isn't ready to do that. Then I would prefer our staff use those resources on someone else.

I understand the sentiment, but our continued pursuit of Tranquill is due, in part, to our board at ILB looking depressingly sparse. It's not like there are a bunch of 4 ILBs beating down Diaco's door at the moment. The only guy on our board who's clearly a better fit is Morgan, and he's a long shot.

 

[woolybug25]

I understand the sentiment, but our continued pursuit of Tranquill is due, in part, to our board at ILB looking depressingly sparse. It's not like there are a bunch of 4 ILBs beating down Diaco's door at the moment. The only guy on our board who's clearly a better fit is Morgan, and he's a long shot.

Then, again in my opinion, they should be out getting in the door with those recruits. Instead, a kid that is committed to Purdue and wants to play safety is getting multiple visits to his home and games from our coaches.

The fact that we aren't in with other LB's shouldn't be the the specific reason we want Tranquill. That's like putting all of your time into bucketing water off the kitchen floor instead of addressing the real problem... that you need to turn off the overflowing sink.

 

[STLDomer]

Worth mentioning most of the work with Tranquill is being done by Elston. Not like he has a ton of other MLBs in Indiana that he'd be working on. Tranquill is Elston's guy and has been his focus for months

 

[PANDFAN]

Then, again in my opinion, they should be out getting in the door with those recruits. Instead, a kid that is committed to Purdue and wants to play safety is getting multiple visits to his home and games from our coaches.

The fact that we aren't in with other LB's shouldn't be the the specific reason we want Tranquill. That's like putting all of your time into bucketing water off the kitchen floor instead of addressing the real problem... that you need to turn off the overflowing sink.

great analogy

 

[ResLife Hero]

I understand the sentiment, but our continued pursuit of Tranquill is due, in part, to our board at ILB looking depressingly sparse. It's not like there are a bunch of 4 ILBs beating down Diaco's door at the moment. The only guy on our board who's clearly a better fit is Morgan, and he's a long shot.

Not to mention we let him leave campus without an offer and let him commit to another school only to come in less than 2 weeks later with the very offer he wanted most. Recruiting is a harsh game so I'm not faulting anyone, but we didn't simplify his decision and timeline at all.

 

[woolybug25]

Worth mentioning most of the work with Tranquill is being done by Elston. Not like he has a ton of other MLBs in Indiana that he'd be working on. Tranquill is Elston's guy and has been his focus for months

Literally last week...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Hearing Coach Kelly has been at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, IN for most of the day. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoldenArmy14&src=hash">#GoldenArmy14</a></p>— The Turning Point (@TheIrishTP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheIrishTP/statuses/388770395182338048">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile... Niles Morgan was sitting 15 minutes closer to South Bend with no coaches visiting him.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Then, again in my opinion, they should be out getting in the door with those recruits. Instead, a kid that is committed to Purdue and wants to play safety is getting multiple visits to his home and games from our coaches.

The fact that we aren't in with other LB's shouldn't be the the specific reason we want Tranquill. That's like putting all of your time into bucketing water off the kitchen floor instead of addressing the real problem... that you need to turn off the overflowing sink.

That involves some uncharitable assumptions about the staff's competence. When it comes to recruiting, I think they've earned the benefit of the doubt.

247 has rated 17 ILBs as 4 or higher. One of them, Martini, is already committed to us. Only 4 of them remain uncommitted, and we're recruiting Morgan hard despite the Core6 douche baggery. So how can we argue that it's a strategic mistake to go after Tranquill as a project ILB? Dan Fox turned out pretty well, and there aren't any obviously better options out there.

 

[Luckylucci]

Coach Kelly took the helicopter to visit Nyles and his family, which they were extremely happy with.

 

[STLDomer]

Literally last week...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Hearing Coach Kelly has been at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, IN for most of the day. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoldenArmy14&src=hash">#GoldenArmy14</a></p>— The Turning Point (@TheIrishTP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheIrishTP/statuses/388770395182338048">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile... Niles Morgan was sitting 15 minutes closer to South Bend with no coaches visiting him.

That is one day, Elston has been his primary recruiter for months and the fact still remains that where else do u want Elston to go? Drue is one of the top players in IN, the state he recruits. And Kelly did visit Morgan.