Tranquills stock continues to rise

The last two weeks have brought a surge in recruiting interest for Fort Wayne (Ind.) Carroll safety Drue Tranquill. That momentum could carry into a busy weekend for the three-star prospect.

Tranquill is camping at Notre Dame on Friday before he flies down to Florida to join his AWP 7-on-7 team to compete in the IMG national championship.

"I've talked to Coach [Mike] Elston and they are only having a select few kids up there and are only giving out five offers," Tranquill said of Notre Dame. "They seem really interested in me and my abilities, so I am looking forward to showcasing those."

Tranquill has showcased his abilities for a number of college coaching staffs in the last couple weeks, resulting in several new offers. His most recent offer came in Wednesday from Purdue.

"Purdue has always been up there on my list because of the prestige of their Engineering department," Tranquill said. "There are really no complaints about the University - they have everything I am looking for in a school and are definitely a school I will look closely in to."

Purdue initially had interest in the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Tranquill as a linebacker, but after he showed strong coverage abilities at their camp last week the Boilermakers are recruiting him as a defensive athlete, with both linebacker and safety being possibilities.

Michigan also had Tranquill in for a camp on Wednesday, and they worked him out as a linebacker.

"I spent a good deal of time with Coach [Mark] Smith, their linebackers coach," Tranquill said. "They are looking at me as their outside linebacker/field linebacker because I can cover in space. It was a good workout. I got two sessions in and got to talk to tall the coaches. I got very positive feedback.

"I got a chance to talk with Coach [Curt] Mallory on the phone today. He wanted to recap and kind of give me some feedback. I wouldn't be shocked if an offer came in on Monday. They way Coach Mallory spoke, I am the guy they are looking for and it is just a matter of sitting down as a staff and presenting that to Coach [Brady] Hoke."

An offer from Michigan would generate reciprocal interest from Tranquill, according to the Fort Wayne prospect.

"They have a huge tradition, obviously, in their football program, and they have a great staff there behind Coach Hoke," Tranquill said. "Academically they are strong and their campus is close to home. It is a great campus and just a great school in general, so they are definitely in the mix and definitely a school I would be looking into."

Once Tranquill finishes the June camp season, he will take stock of his scholarship offers and start on the road to making his final college selection.

"I am probably looking at making my final visits in July," Tranquill said. "I'll look to get a better feel and get around players a little bit, then make that decision late July or early August."