Team to beat for Tranquill

The final college selection for Fort Wayne (Ind.) Carroll three-star safety/linebacker Drue Tranquill is just a few weeks away, and one team has moved to the front of the pack.

"Purdue is definitely up there," Tranquill said. "I have been down there the most, they've met all the requirements I have identified throughout this nine-month process and have the things I am really looking for in a school. I really just love everything about them, and they would definitely be the team to beat at this point."

Purdue offered Tranquill last month after seeing the Fort Wayne native at their camp, and since then he has developed a relationship with several of the Boilermaker's class of 2014 commitments.

"I text with [Gelen Robinson], Denzel Ward and Kirk Barron," Tranquill said. "They are always checking in on me, seeing if I'll commit. They are cool guys."

Before deciding if he will make Purdue his future home, Tranquill will see a couple more schools in the coming two weeks.

"I am trying to get down to Cincinnati this week, then Purdue and Indiana," Tranquill said. "Purdue will be on the 22nd and Indiana will be on the 21st or 23rd.

"I want to get a better feel for the universities. Then, the biggest thing for me is just getting around the players, hearing what they have to say about the program and interacting with the guys I am going to be around for the next 3-4 years."

Indiana has moved back into contention for Tranquill after previously dropping out of his top group.

"Coach [Kevin] Wilson talked to me and they really wanted to get me down," Tranquill said. "They had fallen out of the top spots, but with Michigan kind of falling out it opened up a spot to take a visit to another potential university."

Notre Dame and Michigan were also in that top group to start the month, though neither has offered. Michigan picked up a linebacker commitment shortly after Tranquill camped with the Wolverines. Communication is still ongoing there, but the timetable for a potential offer has been pushed back.

Tranquill is also still waiting word from Notre Dame coaches on an offer, but would set up a visit to South Bend if it came through.

"I still have to talk to their coaching staff on whether they are going to offer depending on how they evaluated me in their coaching staff meeting after camp," he said. "They took four safeties last year so that could be not an option. Coach [Mike] Elston loved me, though, so they are really pushing to get that spot open."

The window for additional schools to offer, though, is closing fast. Tranquill is aiming to have a decision before the month is out.

"The last week in July is what I am thinking," Tranquill said. "If I am feeling good, I will probably give the coach my verbal [in-person]. It will be a thing where if I commit to them, I am going to be all in. I am not someone who is going to decommit."