Tranquill Seeing New Mentality

Drue Tranquill entered 2017 as a Notre Dame captain and will now take on the responsibility of leading the Irish football team. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder and his teammates are dealing with some change this offseason, as they are working with new coordinators on both sides of the ball.

“We have seen a lot of change and Coach (Brian) Kelly has done an incredible job,” stated Tranquill. “The guys trusted that he would, and he has put an incredible staff in place, both in the weight room and on the field.

“We’re just trying to focus on where we are each and every day to progress towards next season.”

The change in staff was clearly due to the lack of success on the field in 2016, but also in part due to the players wanting change. Tranquill and others wanted to be challenged in workouts so they would be more prepared in the fourth quarter.  

“When we sat down with Coach Kelly at the end of the season, it was about what are mission and values of the team were about moving forward,” Tranquill said. We want to be excellent. We want to graduate all of our players and win National Championships.

“We knew going into winter break that Coach Kelly was going to make the changes necessary to achieve that. I think he did and we have seen an incredible value added to our staff. It’s been great.”

The new mentality in the weight room and on the field has already made a huge impact. Players are competing on a daily basis in everything they do, which has made a huge difference in mentality.  

“When you go 4-8, and you have a lot of young guys playing, a lot of those are guys want to know how to win,” explained Tranquill. “I think we’re finally getting back to seeing how it’s like to win at Notre Dame and what it means to be a champion in everything you do.

“We say ‘Play like a Champion Today,' but I don’t think anyone bought into that last year. It wasn’t an expectation to lose, but there was an uncertainty of what that outcome was. If we were to step on the field now, I think our mentality would totally be to win every game and expect to win every game.”

As a captain, the Fort Wayne native will look to try to improve his teammates in everything they do every day.

“I want to make sure every guy is at their best,” Tranquill stated. “A lot of guys come in with the mindset they have to do this and that. If we focus each day on each guy being the best they can be, then I think we can be a really good football team.”

The other change for Tranquill was the move to the Rover position. As a junior, Tranquill recorded 79 tackles and two tackles for loss from his safety position. The tackles for loss are a big focus and are sure to rise in Mike Elko’s new scheme.  

“When I am at Rover, I think it combines my strengths of being able to play in the box, but also play in coverage,” Tranquill explained. “It’s a dynamic position where you are asked to do a lot. I love the ability to blitz off the edge and get after the quarterback, which is something you don’t get to do as much at safety. That’s added a fun aspect.”

Tranquill also took the time to address Kelly’s comments about DeShone Kizer. The Indiana native took the side of his head coach, as he knew Kelly had said multiple positive things about Kizer, but the media chose to make a story out of the one open-ended statement.  

“People are always looking to get that one story,” said Tranquill. “Coach Kelly wants the best for each one of his players. Maybe in saying that, he saw that DeShone would have a better opportunity or be better developed if he came back here.  I don’t think he meant any harm in that statement.

“He wants the best for his players, whether it’s taking the time to go through technique or sitting down at training table to ask how my family is doing.”  

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