Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM OCT. 7, 2023 51 IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE T alk about striking while the free- agency iron was hot. Playing the fourth and final season of his contract with the Los Angeles Char- gers in 2022, the former Notre Dame team captain and star linebacker Drue Tranquill cashed in big time when he finished last season with a team-best 144 tackles and a career-high 5 sacks. Surprising to many Chargers fans, instead of fighting to re-sign Tranquill after his breakout year, Los Angeles let their budding star go, and he landed with the Chiefs last March when he signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Chargers' division rival. "When my wife and I flew into Kansas City to do our contract signing, I walked in the practice facility and I was like, 'I've got to say, this feels weird,'" Tran- quill recalled. "I've walked in the same building for four years, and here I am, in arguably our biggest rival's facility. But, we're excited for this new chapter." During his free agency period, Tran- quill, 28, made it no secret that he hoped to remain in Los Angeles, and under- standably so. He spent four years there, started his family there and became a popular figure both with his teammates and in the community. A fourth-round draft pick of the Chargers in 2019, Tranquill — who played at Notre Dame from 2014-18 — missed all but one game of the 2020 season with the Chargers after suffer- ing a severe ankle injury in the season opener. However, in his three full seasons with the Chargers, the Fort Wayne, Ind., native averaged 99 tackles per year. "I was a little surprised the Chargers didn't want to bring me back," Tranquill said. "Business is business, but when you give four years to an organization and it doesn't feel reciprocated, that's hard." Tranquill appeared in each of the Chiefs first two games this season but played sparingly in those while back- ing up Kansas City's star linebacker Nick Bolton. With Bolton injured and out against the Bears Sept. 24, Tranquill started and filled in admirably in Kansas City's 41-10 blowout win. Tranquill posted a team-high 8 tack- les with a half-sack on a day the Kansas City defense didn't miss a beat, even with their leading tackler out. "We just wanted to keep it rolling," Tranquill said after the game. "We've got a lot of great players, a lot of speed, a lot of guys that can play some good football. It was a special day for our defense." ✦ Drue Tranquill Is Making Good In His New Surroundings After spending four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, the 28-year-old Tranquill signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. PHOTO BY ANDREW MATHER/COURTESY KANSAS CITY CHIEFS FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Kyle Hamilton (Played at Notre Dame from 2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens (NFL) In a 22-19 overtime loss to the Colts Sept. 24, the second-year safety played the best game of his career with 9 tackles, 3 sacks and 1 forced fumble. Hamilton, who was born on the Greek Isle of Crete and became a first-round draft pick (14th overall) of the Ravens in 2022, had 16 tackles and 3 sacks through three games this season. Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, New Orleans Saints, (NFL) In an 18-17 loss to the Packers Sept. 24, the former Irish star carried 8 times for 31 yards and added 4 receptions for 21 yards. Proving to be a valuable backup with the Saints, Jones — an undrafted free agent in 2020 — through three games this season had 21 carries for 70 yards with 2 touchdowns. Yared Nuguse (2017-21), Pro Track Athlete, On Athletics Club Already the U.S. record holder in the indoor mile, the former Irish distance star set the U.S. record in the outdoor mile Sept. 16, with a time of 3:43.97. In May 2021, the Louisville, Ky., native set the NCAA record in the 1,500 meters (3:34.68) while at Notre Dame and earned a place on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team in Tokyo.