Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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ter field, which makes him want to play football's equivalent at safety if he had his choice. He had baseball scholarship offers from Mid-American Conference schools like Western Michigan and was known in pro scouting circles. He didn't pop onto the college football radar until he started working with AWP following his junior season and gained 25 pounds of muscle. AWP president Michael Ledo said his group tries to train linebackers like de- fensive backs. That strategy helped his last Notre Dame signee, Jaylon Smith, a 247Sports Freshman All-American, make a quick adjustment to playing in pass coverage as Notre Dame's starting Dog linebacker this past fall. Smith had far more accolades com- ing out of high school than Tranquill, but Ledo maintains Tranquill is the most explosive athlete he's trained in Fort Wayne. He said his first 10 steps allow him to make plays others can't. "That's what makes me think the middle backer thing might be a move for him," Ledo said. "You put him in the middle of the field and he's going to close. … With his character and his work ethic, he's another Jaylon." ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Tranquill is a versatile athlete with very good speed … His athleticism is what initially caught the eye of the Notre Dame staff … He's a tough, hard-nosed type of player … He will lead by ex- ample through his play on the field … His physi- cality and aggressive nature is hard to match … He's a guy that loves playing the game of foot- ball, and it shows through his effort on the field. Areas To Improve He is a "tweener" … He's isn't big enough yet to play middle linebacker for the Irish, and he doesn't have the high-level speed you look for in a safety … He needs need to add bulk and strength to his frame … A very hard worker in the weight room … Will likely start out as a spe- cial teams athlete in year one.