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My favorite Notre Dame football player of all time: Drue Tranquill

By Corbin Whitney

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 08: Drue Tranquill #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish awaits the snap against the Ball State Cardinals at Notre Dame Stadium on September 8, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Ball State 24-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 08: Drue Tranquill #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish awaits the snap against the Ball State Cardinals at Notre Dame Stadium on September 8, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Ball State 24-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Following in the footsteps of Notre Dame linebacker greats with names like Manti Teo and Jaylon Smith can put a lot of pressure on you. Drue Tranquill overcame that pressure.

Drue Tranquill had a rocky start to the beginning of his career, tearing the ACL in his left knee against Louisville in 2014. He followed that by tearing the ACL in his right knee just three games into the next season while celebrating a big stop by the defense.

Drue Tranquill came back, determined to push his team forward, and that is exactly what he did.

While he struggled to stay healthy even during his Junior and Senior seasons, he learned how to fight through it. The injuries were nowhere near as bad as a torn ACL, but injuries nonetheless. He helped the Irish fight through adversity during the 2017 season. That season, of course, coming after the terrible 2016 season where the Irish went 4-8. It was a time when fans across the country were not sure what to expect after what had happened the previous season.

The two-time captain led the Irish to a 10-3 record in 2017, which was followed by a 12-1 record and a CFP appearance in 2018. Watching him lead the take lead of the defense was great. While maybe not living up to the stardom of his predecessors, he definitely did not disappoint.

During the 2018 season, Tranquill suffered and played through a broken hand, as well as a high ankle ankle sprain that he suffered against Navy. When it comes to toughness, Tranquill is about as tough as it gets.

Drue Tranquill finished his Notre Dame career with a total of 292 tackles, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. While his college career may be over, his profession career has just begun.

Next. Tranquill paces Chargers defense. dark

Tranquill was drafted in the fourth round (130th overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2019 NFL Draft. Will his success carry on to the next level? That is something we will find out soon enough. All we know right now is that his name is one to remember when it comes to some of the toughtest players to ever suit up for Notre Dame Football.

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