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

[Sherm Sticky]

It's what some of us have been calling for. Throw an additional 10lbs on Drue, play him at 6-2/240 at Buck and move Coney to Mike. That way you get JOK at Rover if he's ready, Bilal if not until he's up to speed. Watch out for JGH too. He definitely has some multi-position flexibility.

And Jamir Jones sits on the bench?

 

[Crazy Balki]

It's what some of us have been calling for. Throw an additional 10lbs on Drue, play him at 6-2/240 at Buck and move Coney to Mike. That way you get JOK at Rover if he's ready, Bilal if not until he's up to speed. Watch out for JGH too. He definitely has some multi-position flexibility.

I'm more confident that JOK or JGH are ready to man the ROVER spot than Bilal. He simply hasn't impressed me at all. Just doesn't possess quality LB instincts.

I don't think Tranquill has to bulk up to 240 to optimally man the BUCK. He's already 230+, which is fine for that spot, especially if it doesn't detract from his athleticism.

I think it really depends on what gets us our 3 best out there. I think Tranquill can be equally as dynamic regardless of his position, provided it's close to the line. If JOK/JGH/Simon at Rover is best, then I say move Tranquill to Buck. If Jonathan or Jamir Jones can man the BUCK or MIKE, keep Tranquill at ROVER.

 

[NorthDakota]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Like the idea of Coney and Tranquill as Notre Dame’s interior linebackers next year. Asked Tranquill about it in Orlando and he was more than open to that shift, should help Notre Dame and his NFL tape. <a href="https://t.co/KkxTkK2B0e">https://t.co/KkxTkK2B0e</a></p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/953077750176370690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Has anyone else seen this? Could be huge imo. If Drue can slide to LB and someone else steps in at rover, our D could be legit.

Tranquill plays the game like a boss. Has the attitude to succeed as a relatively "undersized" guy there.

 

[irishff1014]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly confirms during the NSD coverage today that Tranquill is moving from ROVER up to a LB.</p>— One Foot Down (@OneFootDown) <a href="https://twitter.com/OneFootDown/status/961257921731579905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Wild Bill]

Bilal at Rover with Simon pushing for PT if he's as good as advertised?

 

[dang227]

My concern is ILB is a whole different animal and I have seen great football players move inside and look lost and vice versa. Some can make the reads inside and react instantly and some struggle. I am not saying Drue can't do it but it is more difficult than you might think. I believe he is always been a safety/OLB even in HS correct? For some background, I coached ILB for 12 years.

 

[Domina Nostra]

My concern is ILB is a whole different animal and I have seen great football players move inside and look lost and vice versa. Some can make the reads inside and react instantly and some struggle. I am not saying Drue can't do it but it is more difficult than you might think. I believe he is always been a safety/OLB even in HS correct? For some background, I coached ILB for 12 years.

I agree. Maybe give him a shot in the Spring, and see what happens.

 

[dublinirish]

Bilal at Rover with Simon pushing for PT if he's as good as advertised?

God i would hope Bilal never sees the field, the guy cant tackle and plays like he has no idea what he is doing. I'll go with JOK or Simon any day of the week.

 

[IrishLax]

Bilal at Rover with Simon pushing for PT if he's as good as advertised?

I think it's going to be Owusu-Kamara and Simon pushing for PT next year. Think Bilal gets passed up.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

My concern is ILB is a whole different animal and I have seen great football players move inside and look lost and vice versa. Some can make the reads inside and react instantly and some struggle. I am not saying Drue can't do it but it is more difficult than you might think. I believe he is always been a safety/OLB even in HS correct? For some background, I coached ILB for 12 years.

I feel better about this since he's also played some safety and the staff has an idea of his aptitude for playing inside-out.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

on a personal note:

I feel like this is best for Drue in terms of "nfl stock". I feel like he's not quite athletic enough for safety/OLB in the nfl, but, if he can maintain his current atheism, while showing the ability to read/react at LB, he could make a good case for a good ILB in the nfl.

(also, I wonder if this is something he and kelly "talked about" before he committed to come back)

((or maybe his scouting report said he should try it))

 

[Wild Bill]

My concern is ILB is a whole different animal and I have seen great football players move inside and look lost and vice versa. Some can make the reads inside and react instantly and some struggle. I am not saying Drue can't do it but it is more difficult than you might think. I believe he is always been a safety/OLB even in HS correct? For some background, I coached ILB for 12 years.

ILB is certainly a different type of animal. An ILB relies heavily on instincts as compared to an OLB who can get away with lesser instincts with speed and athleticism. I think Drue is fine with respect to instincts. He's got them and to the extent he doesn't he strikes me as the type of kid who will read his keys and commit every ounce of his effort to knowing the defensive scheme and weekly game plans.

The kid obviously puts in his work at the gym but he has a smaller frame and has never played inside - he may struggle engaging blockers in tight spaces and shedding blocks from the interior linemen. Read keys and beat them to the point of contact, I guess.

What do you see as his biggest obstacle moving to the inside?

God i would hope Bilal never sees the field, the guy cant tackle and plays like he has no idea what he is doing. I'll go with JOK or Simon any day of the week.

I think it's going to be Owusu-Kamara and Simon pushing for PT next year. Think Bilal gets passed up.

Forgot about Owusu-Kamara. Bilal has been a disappointment. It would be nice if Simon was an EE.

 

[IrishLax]

on a personal note:

I feel like this is best for Drue in terms of "nfl stock". I feel like he's not quite athletic enough for safety/OLB in the nfl, but, if he can maintain his current atheism, while showing the ability to read/react at LB, he could make a good case for a good ILB in the nfl.

(also, I wonder if this is something he and kelly "talked about" before he committed to come back)

((or maybe his scouting report said he should try it))

 

[ndfb3.1]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft...-first-round-caliber-prospects-at-each-level/

Drue Tranquill, LB
While watching Coney, you'll notice Tranquill making his fair share of plays on the football too. In 2017, he had 85 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and three pass breakups.

At times, he aligned near the line of scrimmage and simply was too small and not strong enough to deal with tackles and pulling guards against the run. Because he's 6-2 and around 230 pounds with the ability to bend the edge, he can cause issues for taller outside blockers in pass-protection when he's sent after the quarterback.

When Tranquill plays off the ball, his pure speed is put on display, and he can fly. Also, he's a screen-destroyer thanks to quick play-recognition ability and twitchiness. He projects well as a traditional weakside linebacker or "big nickel" safety at the NFL level, and landing on Day Two isn't out of the question.

 

[BobbyMac]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s like <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a>’s Drue Tranquill is telling the freshmen, ‘Gather ‘round, and I’ll tell you about when we played in leather helmets.’ <a href="https://t.co/EOcDmJfs6A">https://t.co/EOcDmJfs6A</a></p>— IndyStar Sports (@IndyStarSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndyStarSports/status/1032384416822124550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ab2cmiller]

Overall I thought he played pretty good, but it just seems like his reaction time was a hair slow.

What did you guys think of Drue's play from his new position?

 

[connor_in]

Overall I thought he played pretty good, but it just seems like his reaction time was a hair slow.

What did you guys think of Drue's play from his new position?

He caught up and passed that guy who caught the pass and then tackled him from in front.

 

[koonja]

Overall I thought he played pretty good, but it just seems like his reaction time was a hair slow.

What did you guys think of Drue's play from his new position?

I think he's better as a rover, but the best combination is still Bilal, Coney, and Drue, so it makes sense. I think? IDK, he was great last year.

 

[PANDFAN]

Overall I thought he played pretty good, but it just seems like his reaction time was a hair slow.

What did you guys think of Drue's play from his new position?

he made at least 2 plays where he went from one side of the field covering a player to leaving his man as he saw a play developing and on one of those plays he stopped them on a huuuge 3rd down play which anyone else would have allowed them the 1st down...he looked good to me in my unprofessional opinion

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I think he's better as a rover, but the best combination is still Bilal, Coney, and Drue, so it makes sense. I think? IDK, he was great last year.

Does Drue have the "it" factor, koon?

 

[TDHeysus]

on the kickoff that Michigan ran back, Drue was first blatantly bear-hugged (held), then is 'lead' to the ground as part of the 'block'. This happens right before fertitta and claypool try to arm tackle the runner.

It's clearly shown in the extended highlights.

 

[koonja]

Does Drue have the "it" factor, koon?

I don't follow.

But yeah, Drue's a natural, and the game comes easy to him. Probably why he's started at 3 different positions in college.

 

[dublinirish]

on the kickoff that Michigan ran back, Drue was first blatantly bear-hugged (held), then is 'lead' to the ground as part of the 'block'. This happens right before fertitta and claypool try to arm tackle the runner.

It's clearly shown in the extended highlights.

Claypool ran around his dude and failed to get back in his lane also. he was at least partly to fault

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I don't follow.

But yeah, Drue's a natural, and the game comes easy to him. Probably why he's started at 3 different positions in college.

I'm referring to your expertise on "It" factor, given your great assessment for Shea.

 

[ab2cmiller]

He caught up and passed that guy who caught the pass and then tackled him from in front.

I wasn't thinking of one particular play, as I went back and watched the game trying to focus on Tranquill.

With that said, I obviously have no clue what I'm talking about as Jon Ledyard from The Draft Network thought he was, not just pretty good, but outstanding.

https://thedraftnetwork.com/2018/09/03/you-have-my-attention-now-notre-dame-defense/

Linebacker Drue Tranquill was outstanding, racking up seven tackles including a huge third down stop with Michigan threatening to mount a scoring drive. His level of effort and physicality are really something else to watch, and he’s not a bad athlete either. Tranquill can rush the passer and cover as well, which could make him a valuable chess piece to NFL teams.

 

[koonja]

I'm referring to your expertise on "It" factor, given your great assessment for Shea.

I still don't get your point.

Shea is going to be good. He was getting hammered all day by a combo of a bad OL and a really good OL, and still completed 66%, over 200 yards, and will play in the NFL. Didn't let it phase him, stood in the pocket and took hits all night.

Are you trying to infer he sucks or something? Because he doesn't, and he won't. We put it on him and his OL couldn't handle it. It's that simple.

 

[ScooterIrish]

he made at least 2 plays where he went from one side of the field covering a player to leaving his man as he saw a play developing and on one of those plays he stopped them on a huuuge 3rd down play which anyone else would have allowed them the 1st down...he looked good to me in my unprofessional opinion

Same. He had some game saving plays Saturday. Looked fast too...

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

Any word on what Drew’s injury was?

 

[BabyIrish]

Any word on what Drew’s injury was?

Doesn’t matter. He came back in the game after the injury and BK didn’t mention him today in the injury report.

 

[ACamp1900]

I called it in game... prob cramps given all the circumstance