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

[connect the dots]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats to my lil bro <a href="https://twitter.com/d_TraNquill">@d_TraNquill</a> For Making the best decision for HIM! ������ <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoIrish&src=hash">#GoIrish</a></p>— Jaylon Smith (@JaeeSmiff9ENT) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaeeSmiff9ENT/statuses/402998552541925376">November 20, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Jaylon's the man with the plan, and there is a lot to be said about player chemistry here. Athletes are often the best judge advocates of their peers. The posted interview with Drue is worth a listen.

 

[Irish#1]

Not trying to be unrealistic or overly optimistic here, but I think he's a little better than you're giving him credit for. ESPN has him as an OLB, Scout has him as an OLB, Rivals has him has a safety, and 247 has him as an ILB/Safety. You think there's a chance they're evaluating different things, which would lead to different scores? Plays that will get you noticed as a stud safety aren't usually the same sort that'll get you noticed as a stud LB.

Second, he fits the NFL prototype for an ILB pretty well. 6'-1"(+) and about 210 with just a little bit of growing left to do, and he runs a 4.50. He might not be ideally positioned in High School, but if he's got that kind of athleticism (which we sorely lack) and plays the most complex position in the defense, I think he's got plenty of potential as an ILB. Hell, he's a full .3 seconds faster in the 40 than Raekwon McMillan, who we can all agree is pretty good.

This isn't the staff picking up a scrub. It's them evaluating a guy who plays in the middle of nowhere in a state not exactly known for its football, and projecting him into a different (you might use the word 'better' imo) than most recruiting services and other schools, who have barely noticed his existence. There's nothing to say he will or won't fulfill that potential, but basically calling him a scrub or a desperation pickup isn't accurate.

Not exactly true. Fifteen years ago probably, but the last 10 years HS football in Indiana has blossomed. More Indiana kids then ever are getting D1 offers. Don't remember the publication, but earlier this year an article had HS football in Indianapolis rated #2 in the country for 2013 behind LA. True he's in FW, but FW has generally been recognized as having the best HS football in IN after Indy. Lots of good teams up there.

Regardless, a solid pickup.

 

[rikkitikki08]

That Purdue board is sad, i couldn't even laugh about it. I actually genuinely feel for those dudes lol

 

[#1rish]

Jaylon = future captain

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Great pick up. Glad to have him on board.

 

[irishpat183]

Not exactly true. Fifteen years ago probably, but the last 10 years HS football in Indiana has blossomed. More Indiana kids then ever are getting D1 offers. Don't remember the publication, but earlier this year an article had HS football in Indianapolis rated #2 in the country for 2013 behind LA. True he's in FW, but FW has generally been recognized as having the best HS football in IN after Indy. Lots of good teams up there.

Regardless, a solid pickup.

Find that publication. I call bullshit.

 

[NDohio]

Not exactly true. Fifteen years ago probably, but the last 10 years HS football in Indiana has blossomed. More Indiana kids then ever are getting D1 offers. Don't remember the publication, but earlier this year an article had HS football in Indianapolis rated #2 in the country for 2013 behind LA. True he's in FW, but FW has generally been recognized as having the best HS football in IN after Indy. Lots of good teams up there.

Regardless, a solid pickup.

I wonder what the criteria was? That seems way out there.

 

[chubler]

Not exactly true. Fifteen years ago probably, but the last 10 years HS football in Indiana has blossomed. More Indiana kids then ever are getting D1 offers. Don't remember the publication, but earlier this year an article had HS football in Indianapolis rated #2 in the country for 2013 behind LA. True he's in FW, but FW has generally been recognized as having the best HS football in IN after Indy. Lots of good teams up there.

Regardless, a solid pickup.

That's gotta bbode well for our future recruiting, but I was just making the point about Drue possibly flying under the radar. My point is, I don't understand the perception of some in this thread that this was a desperation pickup, not someone to be excited about. He's 15 pounds lighter and .3 seconds faster than Nyles Morgan, and there's no film whatsoever of him playing the position we recruited him for. That's the kind of pickup I want us to make, even if we don't whiff on the top guys. There's crazy potential, and the worst case scenario is a very athletic backup.

 

[irishfan]

I can't understand having any pride in your team and saying "have fun sitting on the bench at ND." In other words, the player who you guys thought would be a stud for Purdue is someone who wont even play at ND? Purdue has lost by 7 and by 3 to us the last two years. Take some pride in your team.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Not exactly true. Fifteen years ago probably, but the last 10 years HS football in Indiana has blossomed. More Indiana kids then ever are getting D1 offers. Don't remember the publication, but earlier this year an article had HS football in Indianapolis rated #2 in the country for 2013 behind LA. True he's in FW, but FW has generally been recognized as having the best HS football in IN after Indy. Lots of good teams up there.

Regardless, a solid pickup.

I'm from Fort Wayne.

It is not that special.
Very average.

 

[PerthDomer]

This is the difference between Weis and Kelly. Kelly takes athletes and finds them a position, Weis could only recruit for a specific position, so a 3 star meant a poor athlete who knew how to play LB.

 

[irishpat183]

I wonder what the criteria was? That seems way out there.

There is so many good ones down here in TX (Dallas is really good) and CA...

I mean, could they be in the top 10 or even sneak into top 5? Sure. And it's all subjective. Even is some blogger put them up there, I still don't put them above a city like Dallas, Chicago, Houston, or even Atlanta.


But yeah, I'd like to see the criteria.

 

[chubler]

There is so many good ones down here in TX (Dallas is really good) and CA...

I mean, could they be in the top 10 or even sneak into top 5? Sure. And it's all subjective. Even is some blogger put them up there, I still don't put them above a city like Dallas, Chicago, Houston, or even Atlanta.


But yeah, I'd like to see the criteria.

I'd bet its a result of how they defined the boundaries of each area for that specific publication. I wouldn't be surprised to see the schools within the city limits of Indianapolis be better than a lot of other metro areas, but as soon as you include the first suburbs it's not even close. Suburbs and small towns where the real power football programs are could easily have been excluded that way.

 

[NDohio]

There is so many good ones down here in TX (Dallas is really good) and CA...

I mean, could they be in the top 10 or even sneak into top 5? Sure. And it's all subjective. Even is some blogger put them up there, I still don't put them above a city like Dallas, Chicago, Houston, or even Atlanta.


But yeah, I'd like to see the criteria.

Every major city in CA, FL, TX, and GA would come to mind before Indianapolis.

 

[woolybug25]

I'd bet its a result of how they defined the boundaries of each area for that specific publication. I wouldn't be surprised to see the schools within the city limits of Indianapolis be better than a lot of other metro areas, but as soon as you include the first suburbs it's not even close. Suburbs and small towns where the real power football programs are could easily have been excluded that way.

Still doesn't make sense. All of these cities produce way more D1 talent than Indy.

- LA
- Chicago
- Miami
- Sherman Oaks
- Baton Rouge
- Dallas
- Houston
- New Orleans
- Jacksonville
- Youngstown, OH
- Honolulu

I have no idea how Indy could be put in the same room with those cities. Especially if it were based per capita.

 

[BeauBenken]

I'm from Fort Wayne.

It is not that special.
Very average.

...that's because you're from Fort Wayne.

Those private schools have some dudes. Trust me, I went to a prominent 4A school, and I coach at a 1A school now.

 

[dublinirish]

i think the article ranked the "suburban" areas of major cities..

 

[irishpat183]

Still doesn't make sense. All of these cities produce way more D1 talent than Indy.

- LA
- Chicago
- Miami
- Sherman Oaks
- Baton Rouge
- Dallas
- Houston
- New Orleans
- Jacksonville
- Youngstown, OH
- Honolulu

I have no idea how Indy could be put in the same room with those cities. Especially if it were based per capita.

Great call. I didn't even mention those.

I'm still curious to see the article.

 

[Kak7304]

There is so many good ones down here in TX (Dallas is really good) and CA...

I mean, could they be in the top 10 or even sneak into top 5? Sure. And it's all subjective. Even is some blogger put them up there, I still don't put them above a city like Dallas, Chicago, Houston, or even Atlanta.


But yeah, I'd like to see the criteria.

Could be a per capita thing.

 

[BeauBenken]

Took a look at his highlights not bad nice motor . I don't know what competition is like there but i didn't notice a heck of a lot black players during highlights . i know that's not a perfect barometer but it was noticed .

We seriously just had a similar racist remark that resulted in a user receiving a week long ban. I'm using this post to make this statement before I eventually delete it.

We will not accept racist remarks on this website. This is one of Pham's intolerable offenses. Just remember that.

 

[woolybug25]

Could be a per capita thing.

Even if it's per capita, there is no way its better than cities like Honolulu, Sherman Oaks and Youngstown, OH.

No way.

 

[chubler]

At the end of the day, it's gotta be based on some kind of a wonky sample, assuming it's not flat out wrong.

 

[Irishfan33]

Talked to a couple of my scouting buddies up north and they all say the same thing...
"nothing special"

good player...not great

let's see whyat happens

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Talked to a couple of my scouting buddies up north and they all say the same thing...
"nothing special"

good player...not great

I can't recall anyone arguing that Tranquill is likely to be a "special" or "great" player; but plenty here think he's likely to be better than his rankings indicate. He seems like a high character kid with borderline elite athleticism, which should put a high floor on his career at ND-- at least a solid contributor on ST, with the potential to grow into a sideline-to-sideline ILB. And we really need bodies at ILB. I'm very happy with the verbal.

 

[NDohio]

I thought that it was interesting that all the highlights they showed during the TV interview were on the offensive side of the ball. Not one single defensive play.

Just something I noticed.

 

[ThePiombino]

I can't recall anyone arguing that Tranquill is likely to be a "special" or "great" player; but plenty here think he's likely to be better than his rankings indicate. He seems like a high character kid with borderline elite athleticism, which should put a high floor on his career at ND-- at least a solid contributor on ST, with the potential to grow into a sideline-to-sideline ILB. And we really need bodies at ILB. I'm very happy with the verbal.

Agreed - if he can be a 3-4 year ST contributor and someone who sees the field at ILB on obvious passing downs, I would consider this a good use of a schollie. If he turns into anything more, BONUS!

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

...that's because you're from Fort Wayne.

Those private schools have some dudes. Trust me, I went to a prominent 4A school, and I coach at a 1A school now.

So schools like dwenger would match up how with elite schools in Texas and California?

I said it's not special.
I never said it was a joke.

 

[BeauBenken]

We don't need to talk about this guys. Just know that from this point out it, we can't tolerate it. It's our job. Just watch what you say and try not to bring race into the discussion.

 

[BeauBenken]

So schools like dwenger would match up how with elite schools in Texas and California?

I said it's not special.
I never said it was a joke.

I think they can match up athletically better than some might give them credit for. Of course, you have to match schools of simliar sizes up with each other. And of course there are schools that have FREAKISH amounts of high level D1 talent. John Curtis, La Mirada, Don Bosco, American Heritage...I can't argue that the Fort Wayne schools are better than those guys. But you did call Fort Wayne "average" and considering that Fort Wayne is arguably Indiana's best football city, I'd say you're wrong.

This all being said, after last year, talent seemed to take a considerable dip compared to years past.

 

[irishpat183]

I can't recall anyone arguing that Tranquill is likely to be a "special" or "great" player; but plenty here think he's likely to be better than his rankings indicate. He seems like a high character kid with borderline elite athleticism, which should put a high floor on his career at ND-- at least a solid contributor on ST, with the potential to grow into a sideline-to-sideline ILB. And we really need bodies at ILB. I'm very happy with the verbal.

Then his ranked right where he should be. Special and great players are generally, 4 and 5 stars.

He's 3 stars. Right where he should be.

Not that people aren't happy for the kid, but let's stop with this

"guys!! he's truly better than every single recruiting service says...because I've watched the same game tape and come to a different conclusion. Oh, and he's a nice kid"

I really hope he proves them all wrong and outperforms his rankings...but I'll wait to call him a "breakout" until he, you know, actually breaks out.