Coney, Love and Tranquill Named To Watch Lists

Notre Dame cornerback Julian Love was named to the 2018 Jim Thrope Award Watch List on Monday., which is awarded to the top defensive back in college football.

As a sophomore, Love recorded 68 tackles, three interceptions and an incredible 20 pass deflections.

The Butkus Award also released its watch list on Monday morning, and Notre Dame is well represented as senior linebackers Te’von Coney, and Drue Tranquill both made the list. 

Coney returns to the Irish for his senior season after recorded 116 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss in 2017. The Florida native made 17 tackles, a career-high, against LSU in the Citrus Bowl. 

Tranquill, a two-time captain, announced he would return for his final year at The Echoes in December. 

The Fort Wayne (Ind.) native recorded 85 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception in 2017 from the Rover positions. 

Tranquill will play side-by-side Coney in 2018 as he has moved to the Buck position. 

Former Notre Dame linebackers Manti Te’o (2012) and Jaylon Smith (2015) have recently won the Butkus Award. 

2019 Notre Dame linebacker commits Ositadinma Ekwonu‍, Jack Kiser‍ and NaNa Osafo-Mensah‍ were also named to the High School Butkus Award watch list along with 2019 Irish targets David Gbenda‍ and Tristan Sinclair‍.