DRUE TRANQUILL ROUND FOUR TELECONFERENCE
Saturday, April 27, 2019 | Hoag Performance Center | Costa Mesa, Calif.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS FOURTH-ROUND SELECTION LINEBACKER DRUE TRANQUILL
On the contact he had with the Chargers through the draft process:
"I would say, I met with them at the Senior Bowl, I met with them at the Combine — not a formal, just an informal interview with the linebackers coach. They came to my pro day and we talked. There were a few phone calls, but certainly not as much as I had with other teams."
On his skillset:
"I think that I'm just a complete football player. Being a former safety, I think I bring the athleticism of safety into the box. I'm certainly physical enough to play the spot. I'm able to create mismatches with tight ends and running backs. I'm able to run sideline to sideline and make plays. I'm a four-down linebacker and play special teams. I think my versatility is one of the best aspects of my game."
On joining a team with DE Isaac Rochell and DT Jerry Tillery:
"I just got off the phone, actually, with Isaac. He's a good buddy of mine — and Jerry as well. It certainly feels good to have two former teammates there with me as well."
On his leadership abilities:
"I mean, you need leaders in every organization at every level. Leaders help take you to championships. I've certainly seen that at Notre Dame when we were 4-8 in 2016, then [other guys and I] took over captaincy — the guys voted on that — and we turned this thing around. In 2018, we were 12-0 with a chance to play in the National Championship game. Leadership is everything. Obviously, there are great leaders there in L.A. I'd certainly help contribute to that. It's just very important for the success of the organization."
On NFL safeties and linebackers he enjoys watching:
"Well, I'll tell you one of my favorite players growing up was Troy Polamalu, safety for the Steelers — just the physicality of his game, how he flew around. His football intelligence and knowing where the ball was at and knowing situational football — I loved watching him. I loved watching [Seahawks LB] Bobby Wagner at the next level. I think he's a guy who uses his hands really well, both in pass entry and run entry. He's a guy I've kind of studied over the past year to take some of the stuff he does."
On playing for Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley:
"He's coached some great guys and certainly has a great thing going there in L.A. You [saw them] in the playoffs last year. We're on the brink there. I certainly look forward to getting there, contributing and learning and going after a Super Bowl."
On what he knows about his new defensive teammates:
"Well, they're guys I've watched and certainly admire. They get after the quarterback. They make plays all over the field — they're guys I've watched, guys I haven't been able to talk to, but I'm certainly looking forward to getting to know them."
