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Notre Dame Football: Tranquill was Defensive Player of the Game vs. USC

By Mason Plummer

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans attempts to recover the ball between his legs after fumbling it but Drue Tranquill #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish recovers it during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans attempts to recover the ball between his legs after fumbling it but Drue Tranquill #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish recovers it during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The Indestructible Man, Drue Tranquill, led his Irish defense to a huge victory against USC. He is my Notre Dame Football Defensive Player of the Week.

If you follow the Notre Dame football team even slightly, you know the name Drue Tranquill. It seems like he has been a part of this team for a decade and it’s truly sad to think that Saturday was his last regular season game in a Notre Dame jersey. Tranquill is the model of the man that I believe everyone should strive to be — someone everyone can look up to.

Tranquill has been such an inspiration and leader through his now five years at Notre Dame, and he will truly be missed next season. He has been through it all as a player and is still leaving it all out on the field for his team. And, if you aren’t aware, I’m not exaggerating when I say that he has been through everything at Notre Dame.

He has suffered torn ACL’s in back-to-back seasons during his sophomore and junior years. He has suffered multiple ankle sprains, including one that he is currently playing through now. He has suffered multiple broken bones, again, including a broken hand that he is currently playing through.

It’s not all about injuries and hard times for Tranquill personally, though. He has stuck around the program through hard times, when he really did not need to. After two torn ACL’s and a 2016 season that ended 4-8, wouldn’t you call it quits? I probably would — but not Drue. He has been such a role model and leader for the young players of this Notre Dame squad, and there are truly not enough good things to say about Tranquill.

Drue Tranquill has carried his leadership role into this year and returned for his 5th season in the Notre Dame uniform. Returning to this team for 2018 was not something everyone expected of the star linebacker. He looked to be a sure-fire draft pick last spring and would have had a great career waiting for him in the NFL. But, Tranquill felt that he had unfinished business at Notre Dame — and boy are we glad he stayed.

Tranquill has been such a force in the Notre Dame defense, and that was never more evident than Saturday night against USC. He played his heart out in a tough game against arguably Notre Dame’s biggest rival. The first half was a rough one, but Tranquill and his defense made adjustments at halftime and shut Southern Cal down in the 2nd half. He tallied a total of 9 tackles (6 solo) and an impressive pass breakup in the win.

It really is not much of a stretch to say that Notre Dame may have lost this game had it not been for the strong play of Tranquill, and I am confident others feel that way as well. In fact, had Tranquill not returned to Notre Dame for his 5th season, this is not a 12-0 team. Tranquill has had that much of an impact on and off the field for this Fighting Irish team and he is truly irreplaceable.

Next. Finke was Offensive Player of the Game. dark

Drue — lead us to a National Title. Let’s bring it home.

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