Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JANUARY 2022 59 IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE I f there is the perfect case study into commitment and perseverance, former Irish team captain, mechanical engineer- ing graduate and all-around good guy Drue Tranquill has to be it. He has never been deterred, no matter how many times life has tried to knock him off course. A marginal three-star recruit out of Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., in 2014, Tranquill wasn't even supposed to land at Notre Dame, let alone become one of the best linebackers in his class and one of the strongest leaders ever to move through the program. Two knee injuries, subsequent surger- ies and months of rehab while at Notre Dame also could've marked the prema- ture end of a football career for Tranquill. Nope, the hybrid safety/linebacker never complained, went to work, recov- ered from both injuries and each time came back a stronger and better player. When asked about any feelings of frus- tration through his multiple rehabs, Tran- quill called it an occupational hazard. "Going through it more than once, I think you learn how to best do the rehab," Tranquill recalled. "I had a process not only physically but mentally, and sometimes that's the hardest part to coming back." Tranquill still became a three-year starter at Notre Dame and recorded 292 total tackles, including three straight years from 2016-18 with at least 79 stops. A fourth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019, Tranquill made an immediate impact as a rookie that year with 75 tackles in 13 games. Ready to take the next step as a second- year player and continue growing as a valu- able cog and smart leader on the Chargers defense, life struck again in the opening game of the 2020 season when Tranquill suffered a gruesome ankle injury that few thought he would ever fully recover from. Nope, Tranquill essentially missed all of last season but returned this year ready to pick up where he left off before the injury. In the Chargers' 41-22 victory at Cin- cinnati Dec. 5, Tranquill tied for the team lead with 10 tackles, marking the third time during his three-year NFL career that this versatile and overachieving 6-2, 234-pound linebacker tallied double-digit stops and gained more confidence and re- spect from his coaches and teammates. "The more time and plays I make on the field, the more they get to see me work," said Tranquill, who had 62 tackles (34 solo) and 1.5 sacks through 11 games. "I like to think that I'm improving in that aspect." Catching up with Tranquill — now a married man and a father of two young children — provided the opportunity to ask about the recent Notre Dame coach- ing shakeup that took Brian Kelly to LSU and lifted Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to head coach. "[Kelly leaving] was such a shock to a lot of people, and I think it would shock a lot of programs," said Tranquill, who coinci- dentally was recruited by Freeman to Pur- due out of high school. "Instead, it seemed pretty seamless, from my standpoint." ✦ Tranquill, who missed the majority of the 2020 campaign after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in the season opener, had 62 tackles (34 solo) and 1.5 sacks while making five starts and playing in 11 of the Chargers' first 13 games this fall. PHOTO COURTESY LOS ANGELES CHARGERS NOTRE DAME IN THE NFL: WEEK 14 HIGHLIGHTS • Jalen Elliott (Played at Notre Dame from 2016-19), S, Detroit Lions: Made his first career start and notched a career-high five tackles in Detroit's 38-10 loss at Denver … Has seen action in seven games and recorded 11 tackles (seven solo) for the 1-11-1 Lions. • Julian Love (2016-18), CB, New York Giants: Notched six tackles (three solo) in New York's 37- 21 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers … Has started four games and appeared in all 13 for the 4-9 Giants, while compiling 43 tackles (19 solo), half a sack, seven passes defended and one interception. • Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vi - kings: Made five tackles (four solo), including a sack, in Minnesota's 36-28 home win over Pitts- burgh … Has started each of the 11 games he has appeared in, and compiled 72 tackles (51 solo), three sacks, one interception, one forced fum - ble and six passes defended for the 6-7 Vikings. 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I want in this short prayer to thank You for all things and to confirm that I never want to be separated from You, even and in spite of all material illusions. I wish to be with You in eternal glory. Thank You for your mercy toward me and mine. The person must say this prayer for three consecutive days. After three days the favor requested will be granted even though it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published immediately after the favor is granted without mentioning the favor. J.H.