JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 20, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 20, 2023

Eric Hansen

2:59

OK, that's going to do it this week. We're going to stay in weekly mode at least one more week and I would suspect a few more to cover the draft and the portal comings and goings. Thanks for all the great questions today. We'll see you next week at noon EDT Thursday, hours before the NFL Draft's first round.

2:58

Tom, I think there is less likelihood they'll happen this season, given Marcus Freeman's growth as a head coach, the strength of his assistants and the depth of talent.

Tom in Evanston

2:57

Eric, There are no certainties, but do you think the losses against teams like Marshall and Stanford will not occur again?

Eric Hansen

2:51

Hi Romon. I feel like a million bucks today. If I think the position group coming out of spring of most concern is safety, because if the depth factor. The top of the rotation players have played well as did freshman Ben Minich before he got hurt. I liked what I saw from the D-line in the spring and want to see more of that in August. I think the O-line has adapted well to new position coach Joe Rudolph and I think once they get the two starting guard in place, I'm encouraged there.

Romon from Virginia

2:48

Hello eric! How are you doing ? I wonder ask you how was notre dame football are full strength or still few weak area ?? Defensive back is issue depth ?? I hope they able need get Defensive line, Defensive back or playermaker??

Eric Hansen

Last call for questions.

2:48

Hi George, I know he's not playing in the Blue-Gold Game because of injury. His name came up at the tail end of Marcus Freeman's last press conference. Because he's not someone likely to see game action soon, I didn't follow up on his injury after the press conference. If there's a chance it will keep him from being the scout team QB for ND's season opener with Navy, I promise I'll track down the details when training camp opens in August.

George from El Segundo

2:44

Hi Eric, my best to you and yours! What is the diagnosis/prognosis on Ketterer? Thank you

Eric Hansen

2:42

Hi John, thanks for watching and thanks for the feedback. I think this offense is WAY more collaborative, not that Tommy Rees' was completely devoid of it. Gerad Parker makes it a priority. I think that process will continue through the summer and into the fall as well. Deland McCullough is an aspiring coordinator/head coach and Brady Quinn once told me Chansi thought like a coach when he was an NFL player and the two were teammates with the Browns. So, there are a lot of good ideas potentially. It's a matter of selecting the right ones.

John from Scottsdale

2:38

Eric, love the chats and especially like that you do them weekly. No bye weeks. Also football never sleeps is great. Last year the outside perception was the offense was mostly Rees with not allot of input from others. This year with a new OC and a QB coach and O Line coach who have recent OC experience do you have the sense that the offense is more collaborative?

Eric Hansen

2:38

► We’ll be recording our Inside ND Sports Podcast late Friday afternoon with a special guest. You can find the podcast link Friday evening at insideNDsports.com. You can also listen on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Podbean and Pocket Casts.
► I’ll be making a return to WSBT radio on Saturday as part of the radio coverage team for the Blue-Gold Game. Darin Pritchett and I will team up for a pregame show at 1:30 p.m. EDT, and then on coverage of the game from 2-4 ET. There are lots of ways to tune in: On SiriusXM Channel 380, SXM Internet Channel 970, locally Sports Radio 960 and the live stream at wsbtradio.com and the free WSBT Radio app.

2:37

Some quick programming notes:
► If you missed this week’s live episode of our weekly offseason Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. In our latest episode, Tyler James and I discuss what we're expecting to see in Saturday's Blue-Gold Game, the latest spring developments for Notre Dame, wide receiver Lorenzo Styles working at cornerback, the latest on the recruiting front and more, while answering questions from viewers.

2:27

I know Marcus Freeman has great confidence in Gerad Parker as offensive coordinator. The players seem to love him. Ask me about him after the Ohio State game, but I like what I see so far.

2:26

On offense, the wide receivers, including Chris Tyree in the slot, have been convincing. I think ND will have a very good No. 1 and 2 QB. I don't see the need to get an offensive guard out of the portal now ... Schrauth is coming on and either Spindler or Kristofic should be able to handle right guard. We'll know more about the tight ends when they're all healthy. The big thing this summer is just continued growth and the QBs growing with the tweaks in the new offense. (more)

2:23

Don, you are forgiven, and welcome back. The condensed answer is D-line surprised me and Jordan Botelho convinced me he can be an answer at vyper end. I still need to see more progress in the fall, but lots of surprises including NG Jason Onye. Safeties at the top of the depth chart answered some questions, but there are still depth issues. Still waiting to see how the linebacker playing time is allotted in the fall, but I feel good about Sneed, Kiser and Ziegler all making moves. Too bad Kollie missed so much time with a concussion (he won't play Saturday). Al Golden thought he was making progress before that. Cam Hart's shoulder will be a question until we see it hold up against contact. If there's a problem, though, Styles helps provide insurance. (more)

Don in PHX

2:17

Eric, Been busy and haven't participated in a few weeks but always read the transcripts. Hope all is well. After an unusually cool and wet winter, spring is great in the desert. Going into spring workouts you had questions. Which ones were answered? Now that spring ball is ending what questions have arisen that need to be answered/solved in the fall? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:17

hi John. In terms of a position players, maybe Marty Auer at safety as a depth piece. As far as special teams, punter Ben Krimm (Penn) is a walk-on transfer who will challenge Bryce McFerson and defensive end Cole Aubrey (Princeton) should earn a role on the coverage units. Walk-on QB Dylan Devezin is already the holder on place kicks. There are some others who have had good spring, but are at deep positions -- CB Isaiah Dunn and DE Kobi Onyiuke have caught my eye. Keep in mind kickoff man Zac Yoakam still has walk-on status.

John - Elkhorn, Ne.

2:05

Hi Eric -any news on any walk on players that have a good chance of playing time? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

2:01

However, in terms of possible movement in August training camp. I think there's much more potential for upward movement where the unknowns are concerned than downward movement.

1:59

Thanks Denny, and have a great time in Ireland. So I'll compare it first to Marcus Freeman's first spring, last year. He's a lot more present on offense, a lot more clear about his vision. I think they did less hitting this year and were more conscientious about injuries yet got more done. The defense had more continuity, so they were able to take it schematically to another level. We'll see how that pays off in the fall. The offense had more layers to deal with and more newness. That made for some unflattering aesthetics at times but they were also able to accomplish a lot. And yet I felt I had a better feel for last year's team's bottom line than this year's. (more)

Denny from Beaverton Or.erton

1:55

Hi Eric; I just get the feeling that the overall vibe out of the spring session is better than past springs. Offense seems disciplined and doing well against the defense, buzz about the wide receivers and their development and Tyler's strong performance that indicates he should definitely have a more active role this fall. I'm sure Marcus learned alot from last spring but how do you see this spring compared to last and even some of the Kelly years? Just this week finalized our flights to Ireland for the Navy game! Thanks for your great coverage of the Irish.

Eric Hansen

1:54

Kevin !!!!!!!! Yes the draft was held this morning and was quick and kind of confusing. All the draft picks, rules of the game, injured players and complete rosters are now available here. Since all but freshman Devan Houston is healthy and playing in the game from that position group, I think you'll be surprised. The defense is limited to one pressure per four downs in quarters 1-3. In the fourth quarter, there are no limits.

Kevin-Sleepy Eye, MN

1:44

Eric!!!!! A draft was held for the Saturdays game. That sounds so cool....so fun to be a part of!! Saturday I'm focusing on D-line.....Will I be impressed?

Eric Hansen

1:42

Hi Ryan. JD Bertrand was as good as I've ever seen him this spring. He made plays all over the field and his play diagnosis was outstanding. Marist Liufau played a couple of different roles. He played his traditional Wiil/Weakside linebacker role, but also lined up at Vyper end in some packages in rushing the passer. I liked him moving around like that. I thought Jacki Kiser, who also moved around in base defense and in packages, had the better spring of those two. Kiser is out with an injury for Saturday's game as is Prince Kollie from the linebacker corps. The others will play.

Ryan mars pa

1:39

Good afternoon Eric how has JD Bertrand and Marist looked so far in practice go Irish can’t wait to watch Saturday ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

1:32

Hi Jim, for further reading on the topic, I suggest the story I posted Wednesday: Notre Dame freshman WR trio continues to progress ahead of schedule ... I wouldn't rule out KK Smith. He's the lowest-rated of the four freshmen but very fast. As I mentioned in the story, Chansi Stuckey is thrilled with the progress of the other three. The question becomes how deep do you want your regular rotation to be? I think the starters will be Thomas (boundary), Tyree (slot), Tobias (field). Colzie (boundary) is No. 4. I would say the greatest opportunity for the freshmen is for Flores and Greathouse to be 5 and 6 at field and slot, respectively. That would leave James, Smtih and Salerno in smaller roles.

Jim, Boston MA

1:25

Hi Eric, early but do you feel there is a high likelihood that all 3 early enrollee freshmen are contributors during the season? Is that the sense thus far with reps and progression of those 3 who are on campus rn? I am also very high on Kaleb KK Smith, so i feel he could be a nice summer suprise to infuse additional depth at the position, but perhaps not a need given the current success of tyree and progression of guys already in the WR room. Thoughts?

Eric Hansen

1:25

Hi Shaun, it's not officially permanent, but I mentioned earlier I sense it will be. He likes it. And corner rather than safety was his decision and preference and fits his still set well, even though the great immediate need is at safety.

Shaun- Boston

1:24

Do you see Styles switch to the defensive side a permanent move? Why CB as opposed to safety? Thank you

Eric Hansen

1:23

Hi Len and thanks for the compliments. Counting a couple of players who are not yet in the portal but already announced as impending transfers (cornerback Philip Riley and kicker Josh Bryan), Notre Dame is at 86 scholarships. The Irish need to be at 85 by the first day of fall-semester classes. Some of what they might lose could affect what they may add beyond safety. I would say the position groups where a depth-chart issue could coax a transfer are offensive line, linebacker and defensive line as the most likely.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:17

Hello Eric, Great coverage by you and Tyler with articles. podcasts and Football Never Sleeps. Next portal is here. Who will move? What a different landscape for players compared to the pre portal days. I am sure a lot goes into the decisions a player makes. Some might truly feel overlooked. Others have not developed as they hoped. Then that player needs to decide would they develop better where they might play? Or at ND where the competition in practice can push them to be better if that player gets enough reps? Here is wishing that each and every player comes to realize what their best decision will be. Along the portal lines not naming names but tell me your best guess as to number of transfers you might expect from each position group.

Eric Hansen

1:17

SingKevin, please include your hometown next time, unless Kevin is your hometown. ... I think when there's a player draft and trash talking and a real game with real football scoring, it amps up the importance to all of the players. And that's the case this year for the second year in a row.

SingKevin

1:15

We hear all the time that the Blue Gold Game is just one of 15 practices and should be evaluated as such. Do the players view the game that way? Do emerging players treat it differently than established players?

Eric Hansen

1:15

Whew. Now I need a beer and some bare feet.

1:14

When Hartman transferred in, I thought the best-case scenario was for Buchner to stay and benefit from one of the best QBs in college football. That is happening. I believe it's to the point where Buchner is now a heavy favorite to be the starter in 2024. where before he was just one of many options and not necessarily the strongest one. That in turn allows the Irish to bring along Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr at a more reasonable pace. Could Buchner still transfer by the 30th? Yes, but I see that as highly unlikely.

1:12

Hartman was set back about a month because of the change in offensive coordinators and QB coaches. He can and will overcome that. And I believe he will be the starting QB for the Irish in 2023. But Hartman and Buchner became friends and allies. They worked out on spring break together before spring practice started. They watched film together, helped each other during practices. And Buchner transformed. (more)

1:10

There are always the possibility of ripples when you entertain bringing in someone the caliber of Hartman. ND could have lost multiple QNs or none. They've lost Pyne to this point to a transfer. Was that worth the risk? Yes it was. So Hartman and Buchner went into spring in a competition, with Hartman the favorite to emerge. Buchner had the advantage of knowing what Rees' system was, even though Gerad Parker is adapting it. Hartman had the advantage of a proven track record. (more)

1:06

Here's my take on the quarterback situation without addressing some of each of your commentary. I'll let that stand on its own. ... Last offseason, Marcus Freeman asked Tommy Rees if the Irish needed to consider a portal QB for the spring semester. Rees was confident they had two options who could play championship football in Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne. Maybe if Buchner stayed healthy and developed quickly, that would have still looked like a good plan. Marcus learned from the situation, and when Sam Hartman was available and interested, he committed to that plan. (more)

1:01

I'm going to pair these two questions from Joey and Jake and answer them together.

Jake Saratoga Springs NY

1:01

Do you think there is any reason to believe Sam Hartman will not be the starter opening day? Because if so I think that is very concerning. I mean I think it’s a great indication of how Buchner is doing but would worry. If this guy was brought in for nothing. There again I feel as though Tommy Reese was in way over his head.

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