JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 24, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 24, 2024

Eric Hansen

2:14

OK, I've emptied out the queue. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.

2:11

Hi Steve. Clemson was indeed one, and I would think the others would be easy for me to track down. I will try to do so in the future and give those answers to you. I would imagine there will be some interior rendering eventually released as well, as much as ND is using this in their recruiting pitch.

Guest

2:10

Steve, Fort Wayne. It was reported that Notre Dame Administrators toured several program’s facilities for information gathering on plans for the new football building. Clemson was mentioned as one. Do you know any other? Also, will any other renderings be released? Thx

Eric Hansen

2:08

Larry,.thanks for the kind words and the question ... You are on point, and we (the media) really were given a great advantage for our perspective in getting to watch the live scrimmage and the stadium the weekend before the Blue-Gold Game. In that game, we saw much more from the starters and key backups on defense and a lot of the bells and whistles on Al Golden's scheme ... and it was impressive. And the offense largely struggled against it, which is to be expected at this point. I have not done a rewatch, but plan to, but I think the scrimmage gave me a perspective that the fans didn't get to have ... but you really had good insight as to why the offenses looked better.

Guest

2:02

Larry from Topton, PA – Thanks for keeping the podcasts and radio hits going Eric! Very informative!! I was out of town Saturday, so I could not watch (or listen on WSBT to) the B/G game live. So, by the time I was able to watch on Sunday, I had already heard and read quite a bit about the game. From that reading and listening Saturday into Sunday, I was hearing superlative reviews of the ND offensive performance. But as I watched the game replay on Sunday, I was much less impressed with the ND offense, because it seemed to me that much of the offense’s success came at the expense of deep defensive backups. I know you did the game live on the radio Saturday, but did you get a chance to rewatch the televised version? If yes, did any of your impressions change at all, when seeing the game for the second time? As always, keep up the good work Eric (and Tyler)!!!

Eric Hansen

2:02

2:00

James, it has not been asked, but yes he was there. And here's a photo from our guy, Jeff Douglas:

James from Columbus

1:59

Eric, apologies if this question has already been asked and answered. I am joining late this week. Was Duece at the blue and gold weekend along with other recruits? I haven’t heard. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:58

Appreciate you, Don.

Don in Scottsdale

1:58

Thanks and it makes sense.

Eric Hansen

1:58

Hi Frank. Right now a cornerback and a punter ... and if there's an offensive tackle that's an upgrade, I think they'd consider that.

Frank from Royse City, Texas

1:57

I am back to my portal questions, who is ND targeting in the portal?

Eric Hansen

1:52

Now to the specifics of your question. I like where CJ Carr is headed and I am not sure Riley is as accurate in throwing, But there are things he can do that CJ can't. If I had to make a prediction, and I really like the abilities and makeup of Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey, I'd predict Leonard to be the starter on a playoff team this year and Carr to be the starter in 2025. If Leonard is healthy, I think Gino Guidugli and Mike Denbrock can evolve his passing game.

1:50

I had heard so much about his upside, that was part of the reason I watched the Clemson-Duke game. And when I looked at his numbers going in, I didn't get it. Then I watched him play, and I got it. He toggles very well between his run skills and his pass skills and is really poised in big moments. There's something about his game that transcends numbers, but adding impressive number to his 'it' factor is the next stage of his evolution, particularly in the passing game. And that is what this summer is about. (more)

1:47

Hi Don, and thanks. First thought. I think the enthusiasm for Riley Leonard being on the roster is tamped down by Sam Hartman not being a part of a playoff team, which was affected to some extent by having an inexperienced offensive coordinator who didn't have a counterpunch in big games. And I don't think that's necessarily a bad place for Leonard to be, with needing to prove himself over breathless infatuation. Second thought ... Yes I have seen Riley Leonard without a brace or a boot on one practice .. the first one, on March 7. I also saw him play ND last September while at Duke and in Duke's upset win over Clemson at the start of last season. (more)

Don in Scottsdale

1:42

Eric, thanks for all the great spring coverage. I enjoy reading the other sports. Right amount of coverage. Reilly Leonard was injured all pre season, or so it seemed. Have you seen him in a live practice? I know he has the size, athletic ability and experience but is he as accurate as Carr? Not suggesting Carr should jump the depth chart but seems to me Angelli and Michey are pretty good. I've heard there are a million reasons why he came....is he worth it. By the way I know a big booster for Nebraska. He tells me Dylan Raiola got a $3.5M NIL. Pretty sure he has to play to get it but amazing money is out there.

Eric Hansen

1:42

Where I use my bandwidth is gauging on how Notre Dame fits into tha world. Can it compete where those scenarios exist. And so far, I would say, yes they can.

1:40

Hi John. Thanks for the compliments and the weather report. We are supposed to get to 51 today. So if this were golf and not spring weather, WE would be winning. ... If Alt AND Fisher had come back, maybe that would be a case of ND's floor running into its ceiling. Wow, that would make a world of difference. Your second question is really good, but I hesitate to walk too far down that road with you. Here's why. There is SO MUCH misinformation in this area, I don't want to add to it. So many times some scattered anecdotal info is extrapolated into a trend when it might really be isolated. I don't doubt your scenario has happened and the reverse being true as well ... schools recruiting players off other teams' rosters. (more)

John from Chatham, NJ

1:35

What would your preseason prediction be for ND overall if Alt and Fisher HAD come back? Realize it is not anything near reality, but was curious. It seems like they have high end talent and depth almost everywhere with O Line being the big question mark. Secondly, regarding the transfer portal, how active are agents in seeking out highest bidder for certain players? A well regarded player has someone reach out on their behalf and says "I am willing to come to your school for $xyz? Do we think this is pervasive at this point? Thanks.

I have 2 questions for you:

1:34

Eric-Huge fan of yours and Tyler's and thanks for all the great coverage. Supposed to get near 70 degrees today in NJ, so I may have bare feet by the time you read this!! My apologies!!

Eric Hansen

1:34

Hi Doug. I don't know Frank, so I'll assume your are quoting him correctly and then just quote myself for the answer. The WR corps has 11 bodies with 6-7 max making the rotation, so unless they're all going cliff-diving during the May break, I think they're pretty beefy as is.

Guest

1:32

Doug from Raleigh.Quoting Frank Vitovitch at UHND.com, “Notre Dame has an excellent problem on its hands right now” in its quarterback room. To not lose anyone to the transfer portal, any talk to beefing up the receiver corps short-term with backup, sure-handed quarterbacks?

Eric Hansen

1:32

Hi John. I'd say standing on the table for the creation of a media appreciation parking lot for practice days ... I kid ... Last year the two most pronounced were gameday operations and in-game decisions. I feel like those have been addressed, but we won't know until we see actual games this fall. Personally, I am optimistic about where Freeman is headed as a head coach.

John from Scottsdale, AZ

1:29

Hi Eric. Compliments on the excellent series on the new AD. Great work. You have now observed coach Freemen through 3 Springs and 2 full seasons. We’ve heard plenty on his many strengths as a coach. What do you view as his weaknesses that he still needs to work on?

Eric Hansen

1:28

Hi Jack and I'm glad my advice was helpful. I wish I could have helped with the weather. I don't think your concept is an unworkable one, necessarily, but I'm not sure how many of them actually exist that would want to do that with no hope of EVER climbing the depth chart and how it would help your other QBs get better by pushing them. ND has had players who kind of looked like that walking in the door, and some of them have ended up being starters ... Tommy Rees and Ian Book, to name a couple. And some end up transferring anyways. Even before the portal era, ND had a long history of QB transfers. And yes during Ara's reign and even much later, QBs changed positions willingly and some very well ... Arnaz Battle, Carlyle Holiday, Gary Godsey, Jared Clark among them. Again with the transfer portal, I think we'll see less of that anywhere, including ND.

Jack, Strongsville Ohio

1:21

Hi Eric. Went to the Blue Gold game. Thanks for the tip on getting their early due to the other events on campus. Worked out well except for the cold weather. As you and Tyler said on Football Never Sleeps this is the best group of qbs at ND in a long time if ever. This brings a possible portal transfer out into play. My question is why not recruit a qb such as a 3 star who would like to come to a major program like ND, get an education and serve as a backup/ scout team qb. Is that unrealistic in today's environment? Ara use to recruit 5-6 qbs and they would eventually find spots at other positions. Thanks for all your great work.

Eric Hansen

1:21

Hi Bob, nice to hear from you and thank you. Going into spring Gi'Bran Payne was the guy you could count on in that group. Coming out of spring, I'd at least add Jeremiyah Love to that list and probably Jadarian Price as well. If Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young, the latter of whom was injured most of spring, can do it consistently, that's how they can earn more playing time in a crowded RB room. So to summarize, I think there's been a collective improvement over last season.

Bob Gorman Oak Park IL

1:18

Thanks for all your great content and keeping us up to the minute. Given the concerns about our OTs controlling the Texas A&M DEs, how do you evaluate the skillset of our RBs to block or chip them to give our QB a fighting chance? We have had some excellent blocking backs in the past. Will the current group match up?

Eric Hansen

1:18

Hi Mike. I get this question more than you'd think ... and actually Bob Davie did have some really good assistants (not universally, but some good ones). What I can say definitively is that the coordinators are the best I can remember since the Holtz Era (where Lou was actually the real offensive coordinator at times). You think about him paired up with Barry Alvarez at D-Coordinator for instance. And there's a lot to like in the position coaching ranks, both on the field and as recruiters. Denbrock was OC a couple of his years under Kelly, but he was paired with Brian VanGorder those years ... and I think this version of Denbrock is superior to that one.

Mike from Rochester NY

1:14

Hi, Eric!!! Excellent podcast with Bob Morton, he seems to always have great insights to share. CMF has built an incredibly strong staff that seems to be working very well together. How would you compare them to the best staffs that Brian Kelly and Lou Holtz had ( I think we can ignore the Davie and Willingham staffs)?

Eric Hansen

1:09

Not sure about flipping Wagner and Jagusah down the road. It's not a crazy concept to me. Will have a better answer in August. ... I had high expectations for the freshman class — and 8 of them are still to come in June — and I'd say they slightly exceeded them ... and CJ Carr really exceeded them.

1:06

Hi Marie. Having a great week and if we go out to dinner in Atlanta, I am on board with your idea of putting Tyler James as the kids' table as punishment for questioning one of your questions. ... I already addressed Bell, so let's go on to your O-Line question. I'd put that at a 7. Why? My pessimism comes from potentially having five new starters. Rudolph has a nice track record of development, but it's not at ND -- yet. And sometimes O-Lineman need to cook in the oven and there's not way to microwave their progress/development and that's a bit concerning. On the upside, Bob Morton pointed this out in our podcast, having an OC like Mike Denbrock helps the O-line and Rudolph in so many ways. I also like the raw talent of the line and really like Rudolph's history at Wisconsin with less-touted prospects developing into NFL-caliber players. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

1:01

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week and enjoyed the blue goal game. Were you surprised by Micah Bell entering the transfer portal, and do you have any insights into the transfer? After watching the O line this weekend on a scale of 1 to 10 how confident are you that Joe Rudolph can put together a high-level offensive line for the 2024 season? As it seems that overall, Wagner is the most athletic of the three tackles, perhaps in the distant future do you see a time where if Wagner can reach his potential he would play left tackle and Jagusah would move to right tackle? Finally, as a group overall this spring,we’re the freshman, more talented, less talented, or about as talented as you expected? Thanks for hosting the chat, please keep them coming during the long off-season.

Eric Hansen

1:01

Without adding from the portal, my starters would be Aamil Wager and Charles Jagusah ... and thanks for jumping on today.

ND Harvey from South Philly Pa

1:00

E, it’s been a while, hope all is well. If the season started this Saturday, who would be your starting Offense Tackles. Thank you. Go Irish

Eric Hansen

1:00

J Bucky you LIVELY MINX. I see your reverse psychology or forward psychology there at the end. Whatever it is, it worked. And really, 17 parts is the breaking point for me when it comes to questions. Yes splitting up the lines profoundly affected their cohesion and chemistry. However, in the closed scrimmage the week prior they were not split up and still had some (not all) of the same issues, particularly with pass rush vs. the No. 1 tackles. ... Yes ND would like to add Rice CB Tre'shon Devones. ... Not predicting which QB transfers, but really the only two in play would be the two in the middle, right?

J Buck San Diego

12:56

Hello, from Sunny 75 degree San Diego.

Anyways, enough small talk, I was pleasantly surprised at the all around quality of play at the Blue Gold game. I think with the mixed O-line, we didn't get a great representation, thoughts? Also, looks like we might be going to the portal for another DB, and which QB do you think will transfer? I think they could all start for a team. I don't see them all staying, it would be awesome, but not seeing it. Anyways, I know I tossed in a couple extra q's, but I wouldn't do it if I thought you couldn't handle it.

THANKS, THANKS and THANKS

Eric Hansen

12:56

Hi Mark. My question for you is would you feel differently if the NCAA opted to give Notre Dame back its vacated wins?

Mark from Boston

12:55

Hello Eric! Mini rant regarding Reggie Bush getting his Heisman trophy back … he broke the rules while the rules were in place. I totally disagree with the decision to return the trophy to Bush. Where’s the accountability?

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