I want to go on record in saying that I believe this kid is a good football player, who is being forced into playing the wrong position because ND is so young and inexperienced at safety. This is my prediction for Drue heading forward.
At 6'2, 225lbs, Drue is a few extra calories away from being an ideal SAM linebacker. He's taller than James Onwualu and only 7lbs lighter at this point, to put things into perspective. It's my opinion that Drue is simply a step slow at safety, but he would be a really athletic, 235lb SAM who could cover down in base defense, would be an exceptional coverage man as a linebacker (where as he is average for a safety) and most of all, he would maximize his skill set, which is coming down hill and hitting people and setting the edge of the defense.
Why move a safety in the off season from a position ND is already thin? Cole Luke graduates this year and I'm going going to right off Shaun Crawford until he can stay healthy, but I think Devin Studstill is going to be very good by the end of the season and I think Jalen Elliot is going to come along as well. Nick Watkins will be back at some point, with multiple years left, the staff loves Donte Vaughn and Julian Love, Nick Coleman is learning under fire and Troy Pride is going to be a good one down the road... I haven't even mentioned both Spencer Perry and DJ Morgan, who will be developing and are wildcards. On top of all that youth and athleticism, ND is likely going to bring in two more safeties in the 2017 cycle, and at least one top end corner to add to the mix as well... In short, Tranquill is blocking younger, better suited players from the SS position, but by this time next year, ND should have enough secondary depth to move Drue to the position at which he would be most helpful to the defense.
With the graduation of James Onwualu, the move makes perfect sense. Drue has at a minimum, two more years of eligibility after 2016 and adding 10lbs to a player with his frame isn't difficult in an off season. I have a sneaking suspicion that Tranquill will be a Captain in 2017 and 2018 and ND's starting SAM backer... And what a trio they could be with Morgan, a senior, holding down the middle. Coney, a junior, who actually has the off season to lift and not simply recover from shoulder surgery and Tranquill a senior, finally in the position that best suits him... you would also have depth behind them in Greer Martini, Asmar Bill, and Jamir Jones, who are all seeing time.
Makes sense to me. Hope to see it happen after the season.
At 6'2, 225lbs, Drue is a few extra calories away from being an ideal SAM linebacker. He's taller than James Onwualu and only 7lbs lighter at this point, to put things into perspective. It's my opinion that Drue is simply a step slow at safety, but he would be a really athletic, 235lb SAM who could cover down in base defense, would be an exceptional coverage man as a linebacker (where as he is average for a safety) and most of all, he would maximize his skill set, which is coming down hill and hitting people and setting the edge of the defense.
Why move a safety in the off season from a position ND is already thin? Cole Luke graduates this year and I'm going going to right off Shaun Crawford until he can stay healthy, but I think Devin Studstill is going to be very good by the end of the season and I think Jalen Elliot is going to come along as well. Nick Watkins will be back at some point, with multiple years left, the staff loves Donte Vaughn and Julian Love, Nick Coleman is learning under fire and Troy Pride is going to be a good one down the road... I haven't even mentioned both Spencer Perry and DJ Morgan, who will be developing and are wildcards. On top of all that youth and athleticism, ND is likely going to bring in two more safeties in the 2017 cycle, and at least one top end corner to add to the mix as well... In short, Tranquill is blocking younger, better suited players from the SS position, but by this time next year, ND should have enough secondary depth to move Drue to the position at which he would be most helpful to the defense.
With the graduation of James Onwualu, the move makes perfect sense. Drue has at a minimum, two more years of eligibility after 2016 and adding 10lbs to a player with his frame isn't difficult in an off season. I have a sneaking suspicion that Tranquill will be a Captain in 2017 and 2018 and ND's starting SAM backer... And what a trio they could be with Morgan, a senior, holding down the middle. Coney, a junior, who actually has the off season to lift and not simply recover from shoulder surgery and Tranquill a senior, finally in the position that best suits him... you would also have depth behind them in Greer Martini, Asmar Bill, and Jamir Jones, who are all seeing time.
Makes sense to me. Hope to see it happen after the season.
