Chargers select another former Notre Dame player with LB Drue Tranquill in fourth round

At least one team preferred Drue Tranquill in the linebacker debate with former teammate Te’von Coney.

The Los Angeles Chargers made Tranquill the first Notre Dame linebacker selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, at pick No. 130 overall.

The fourth-round pick recovered from an injury-riddled start to his career to play in 38 consecutive games in his final three seasons at Nore Dame. Tranquill tore the ACL in his left knee late in the 2014 season and tore the ACL in his right knee early in the 2015 season.

The 6-foot-2, 234-pound Tranquill tallied 292 tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, five fumble recoveries, one forced fumble in his career while playing three different positions: safety, rover and inside linebacker.

Tranquill, a two-time captain, became the fifth Notre Dame linebacker drafted since 2012. Before that an Irish linebacker hadn’t been drafted since Courtney Watson in 2004.

The Irish have now had four former players selected in the 2019 draft, with Tranquill joining defensive tackle Jerry Tillery (1st round, Chargers), wide receiver Miles Boykin (3rd, Baltimore Ravens) and cornerback Julian Love (4th, New York Giants).

Tranquill signed with Notre Dame in 2014 out of Fort Wayne (Ind.) Carroll. 247Sports slated Tranquill as a four-star recruit and the No. 24 safety in the 2014 class. Rivals pegged him as a three-star recruit and the No. 32 safety.

Thank you Lord — My family and I are so grateful for this opportunity!! Time to get to work @Chargers#BoltUp ⚡️

— Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) April 27, 2019

DRUEEEEEEE!

Welcome to the Bolt Fam, @DTranquill ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/8JmH18gV8s

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) April 27, 2019

Our two-time captain @DTranquill will do great things for @Chargers. Congratulations, Drue! #ChargersDraft#GraduatingChampionspic.twitter.com/9WwFOAfZqc

— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) April 27, 2019

No one has prepared harder for this moment than @DTranquill. The @Chargers are getting an absolute winner, and a warrior through and through.

Congrats to Drue, Jackie, and the not yet with us, but oh so close Baby Tranquill. Thanks for all that you have done for Notre Dame, Drue! pic.twitter.com/LD2bfBVxtD

— Clark Lea (@Coach_Lea) April 27, 2019