In reply to: Tranquil, Mustipher, and Newsome named captains posted by bluengold07
“It was coach Kelly and a general understanding that was what I was going to play in the NFL,” Tranquill said. “… I knew in mind I need development at that position, so it was a general understanding that [the Irish coaches] had gotten feedback from NFL teams, I had obviously gotten feedback from NFL teams, and we all understood this is what I needed to develop at.”
“It was just a decision of do I want to go and get that development in the league, or do I want to come back and develop under coach,” Tranquill said. “I think the best decision for me was to come back and develop under coach Lea.”
help his draft chances if it is bad for the team?
It’s a shame to move a veteran from his best position because you don’t have capable replacements for other linebackers who have graduated. Any story suggesting this was done to enhance his NFL prospects is just smoke.
The part about recruiting failures at LB seems self-evident. But as a 5th year senior, Tranquil had options. If Tranquil himself doesn't think this improves his NFL prospects, why would he agree to it?
The kid is a consummate team player, and will do what he is told.
to stay for his 5th year and decline his options to go into NFL draft or transfer to another school for his 5th year. Isn't that standard operating procedure?
Also consider that Lea was promoted to DC about a week before the deadline to apply for the draft. So that would logically give rise to a 2nd conversation about Tranquill's role while he still had time to decide (if Drue felt it was important). Despite Kelly being an a-hole, I think the idea that he pulled some kind of Machiavellian bait-and-switch is kind of unlikely under the circumstances.
The most logical conclusion, in my amateur opinion, is that Drue probably doesn't believe that a move to LB hurts his NFL chances.
Leaves two spots down instead of one.