Tranquill Preparing For Tough NC State Offense

Written by Alec Swain

This year, Notre Dame’s new defensive scheme has brought new life to the Irish. For some, just the scheme changed, but for Drue Tranquill, he had to learn a new position. Last year, Tranquill was a strong safety who was often a liability in coverage because the speed he was matched up against. Now, as he plays closer to the line of scrimmage, he has done exceedingly well in both run defense and pass defense. 

The Irish have faced all sorts of playmakers so far this season. According to Tranquill, this week will be no different. The speed Notre Dame has faced against the likes of Georgia and USC is hard to match. However, NC State has one back which ranks toward the top of offensive threats. 

“Nyheim Hines has got to be close to the top, if not the top,” stated Tranquill. “Geez, he is a 100-meter champion or something, very competitive. Track athlete. He’ll be a dynamic playmaker for them, and we’ll have to make sure we contain him.”

Hines will not be the only challenge defensively Saturday night, NC State has an extremely productive quarterback in Ryan Finley as well as a dynamic playmaker in Jaylen Samuels, as well. 

“Samuels will do everything,” Tranquill explained. “He’ll line up in the slot, line up at receiver, line up in the backfield. I think he allows him to do a lot of things in terms of the trades, the motions, the getting in different formations. He’s definitely a challenge. He’s everything we talk about in terms of being a gritty football player. He makes plays for the offense and provides a dynamic aspect to them.”

The short and intermediate passing routes the Wolfpack likes to run will likely cause the Irish to play aggressively in pass coverage. However, if the defense can adjust to the many motions, NC State will use to try and create confusion it will work in Notre Dame’s favor. 

“They are going to do a lot of things formationally that we haven’t necessarily seen this year, a lot of shifts and motions,” said Tranquill. “We will have to be on our stuff.”

Certainly, if the defense can make the necessary adjustments to this offense, the Irish should prevail in this contest. If the offense can continue to progress in the passing game and add the extra dimension to their offense, it should be a fun rest of the season for the Irish.