Drue Tranquill is a two time Captain of the Notre Dame Football Team… But he is much more than that.

He is the heartbeat of the team.

Drue is a graduate student playing his final season in blue and gold. The Linebacker has been a pivotal part of the Irish’s 12-0 season and earning an invitation to the College Football Playoff.

#23 started 11 out of the 12 games this season. The only game he did not start was Northwestern, where he was dealing with an ankle injury… But that didn’t keep him on the sideline for long as he made a big impact in that game, as he did in all 12 this season.

Where’s the love for @khalid_kareem53 collapsing the cage and forcing him out of the pocket?!👀☘️ https://t.co/UfdXrf1VaF — Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) September 24, 2018

Every Irish player, coach and fan knew about Drue’s toughness but it was on display even more than ever this season. He suffered a fractured hand early in the Stanford game, but he didn’t miss a snap and even had two pass deflections.

Image – @DTranquill

He hurt his ankle against Navy, but played again the next week after it looked like his season might have been over. Every time something knocked him down in 2018… Drue got up stronger.

He was third on the team with 75 tackles. He also added 9 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks (2 against Syracuse) 3 pass breakups and 2 QB hurries. Have a season 23, have a season.

Coming out of High School in Indiana, Drue was rated the 171st player in the country. Like any player that talented in High School, Drue played both ways. On offense he carried the ball 114 times for 1,420 yards and 28 touchdowns.

An Indiana boy getting to play at Notre Dame.

Two-time captain, @DTranquill has had the opportunity to live out a childhood dream in front of millions over his five years with this team. #GoIrish ☘️ #ThankYouSeniors pic.twitter.com/RDaXmPtDzg — Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 10, 2018

When Drue came to ND his Freshman year he got involved right away. He played in 11 games, starting 3 and recorded 33 tackles. However he would suffer a torn ACL against Louisville and his season was over.

He worked tirelessly to get back on he field his sophomore year. He got back for opening day. However again, in the 3rd game of the season against Georgia Tech Drue would tear his ACL in the end zone after breaking up a pass, his season was lost.

(I was in the stands that day. In that corner of the end zone. I was devastated for him.)

But that wasn’t going to hold him down. The next year he started all 12 games, and was second on the team with 79 tackles, 52 solo.

Image – 247sports

In 2017 he was named captain and was moved to full time Linebacker and again he answered the call. He played in all 13 games, had 85 total tackles and was third on the squad with 45 solo tackles. He kept showing why he is a such a leader on and off the field all season long and helped the Irish beat the LSU Tigers in the Citrus Bowl.

Off the field Drue is just as dynamic and dependable as he is on it.

Drue was just awarded the Wuerffel Award.

Wikipedia “The Wuerffel Trophy is an award given annually to the college football player “who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.”

So proud of @DTranquill for his selfless service to so many.

Congratulations on winning the 2018 @WuerffelTrophy.

Thanks @ESPNCFB for honoring Drue on the #RedCarpetSpecial @cfbhall pic.twitter.com/sbDvXL9XXC — Danny Wuerffel (@DannyWuerffel) December 7, 2018

One heck of an honor.

Drue is married to the love of his life, Jacqueline.

Image – und

Sorry ladies.

The two also just announced that they are expecting their first child.

He has been through and done so much in such a short period of time in life and at ND. But there is one more thing he wants to accomplish before he leaves South Bend.

They might think I’m old, washed up & married, but really I’m just wild at heart!!! #GoIrish #BeatClemson #JohnEldredge ☘️👊🏼

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From what I hear Alex Bars is an awesome narrator.. you should check out the rest of the episode tonight at 8:30!! pic.twitter.com/ZfJMAgy87j — Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) December 13, 2018

Win the National Championship. Drue and the Irish have a date with Clemson in the Cotton Bowl for the right to play in the championship game. All I know is that 23 will give it everything he’s got and leave it all on the field to get this team to the promise land.

Thank you Drue. It has been a pleasure being a part of your journey at Notre Dame. You are the kind of player that makes us Irish fans proud to say Go Irish!

Two more wins.

GO IRISH.

-Kmess

Feature Image – One Foot Down

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