JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 23, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 23, 2022

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Eric Hansen

3:18

Ok, speaking of late, I've got to run to another commitment. Thanks for all the great questions. A reminder we'll be back to Wednesday at noon ET, starting next week. Thanks again for your participation or just lurking.

3:16

Way too late. And there's nothing left.

Jason

3:16

Is it too late to look for a transfer at WR? If not, is it something the staff is looking into?

Eric Hansen

3:16

He's had some injuries, but the biggest impediment to playing time may be two future first-round draft picks at tackle playing in front of him.

Mike from costa calif.

3:15

It seems as though Tosh Baker under performed. Eric what is the story with him ? Thank You

Eric Hansen

3:14

Emmett Mosley? He's a top 250 prospect in the 2024 class who Notre Dame likes a lot and and are solidly in the mix with him.

Guest

3:13

Rick from Lake Forest, CA What do you hear about the WR from Santa Margarita HS who is a legacy?

Eric Hansen

3:12

Possible decommits are the price to pay for recruiting elite student-athletes -- early, late or in between. .. I don't understand the second part of your question... sorry.

Baker Jim - Carmel, IN

3:10

With our 5-star recruit de-committing, what is your opinion of 1. the early commitments knowing some may 'flake' and de-commit? and 2. How much ESPN and other sources put into the 'rankings' of the 2023 (and other) classes?

Eric Hansen

3:10

Same way he would if cheating were happening in a different, more clandstine fashion. Outwork, outsmart and stick to your values and principles. That's not 100 percent effective, but it is the best approach.

Norris Singer Island Fl

3:08

Thanks for all the light you shed on ND sports! ND lost two 5 Star players to NIL recruiting money, plain and simple. How does MF compete against the immediate carrot when he can only offer the future?

Eric Hansen

3:08

Jeff Kohler, I'd love to answer your question in the chat format. Unfortunately, it's a book. Maybe I'll do my own documentary on that. There's a TON that the public doesn't know that got lost in the Deadspin narrative. I'm not sure it would be interesting to the average person.

3:06

Is this a trick question? Shortley after the chat ends, there will be one.

Guest

3:05

Is transcript available?

Eric Hansen

3:05

Thanks, Jerry. Those surprises have evolved over fall camp. I'd say Chris Smith and Benjamin Morrison at this point on defense. Holden Staes and Gi'Bran Payne on offense. WRs and CBs need the most work.

Jerry from Dallas

3:04

Eric: Many thanks for all your good work over the years. What has been your most pleasant surprises on both Offense and Defense so far? What areas on both Offense and Defense still need some work? Again, thanks.

Eric Hansen

3:03

Hi Len. I appreciate your questions. I kind of got hung up oin assertions contained within them that I don't agree with. Why do coaches believe chatter and brashness shows confidence. The chatter doesn't matter if they can't back it up with strong play. And it's not a prerequisite, but it's not discouraged either. As far as leadership, it's not one or the other. You can demand accountability from your teammates. And if you do so, you better darn well be a great leader by example. So to be those are not conflicting concepts. This is a team that's very tight knit. You can see unselfishness throughout. So why would it self destruct when there's adversity? I guess I ended up asking more questions than you did.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:58

Hello Eric, < 2 weeks until game 1. There is so much I am looking forward to learning about this year’s Irish team; new coaches, changing leadership styles, changes in culture and how they all relate to level of play, consistent intensity and mistakes. Obviously the players believe in the coaching staff. But are the coaches making the right assertions. Along those lines as best as you can please explain the following: Why do the coaches believe chatter & brashness shows confidence? (Jaden Mickey etc.) Why does MF believe leadership should not be so much by example but by a wiliness to confront players to obtain accountability? Amber Selking is gone. With this new style of brashness and confrontation being promoted what stops the players from pointing fingers at each other to obtain accountability as they see it when faced with adversity during a game? It won’t be the training by Ms. Selking? Your thoughts are appreciated. BTW-I am hoping the collective power of the O/D line units keeps all others in line.

Eric Hansen

2:58

Matt here is a history -- not a long one -- but a history nonetheless of decommitments coming back full circle. Stephon Tuitt, Aaron Lynch and Braden Lenzy come to mind. I wouldn't write it completely off, but the dynamic in the decision-making in Keeley's corner has changed. His friendships have changed. If he is not the key decision-maker when he signs, there's no chance. That's just my opinion.

Matt J, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

2:55

Is there any shot that ND gets back in with Keon Keeley? Is he opening up to take officials (which ND doesn't want their commits taking)? Or is he completely eliminating ND? They've gotten back in with a standout DL recruit in the past after he decommitted (Tuitt).

Eric Hansen

2:55

John. I'm not putting as much on Tommy Rees' shoulders in this particular game. Notre Dame has to be at its best in so many areas, including Rees' realm. What I do agree with is maybe your in-between-the-lines assertion that this is a big SEASON for Rees, given his growth, given his potential and given his autonomy to do what he wants without a lot of handbrakes in his way.

John - Palmyra, PA

2:55

Tom Rees will determine how close the game is in Columbus. I believe ND can win by multiple scores (barring no injuries/TO’s). I have watched for 30 years the Irish be unable to sustain drives game in and game out for an entire season. Desperately seeking a few 15 play drives against elite talent that aren’t sustained by a defensive penalty. I know Tommy won’t be throwing and catching, but his preparedness despite the injuries is THE key to this top 5 win! Thoughts? Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

2:52

It's actually ND's preference to end the season in California and not at home against a California team (or anyone else). And yes, there are talks about keeping the tradition of playing USC in October at home every other year and in LA in late November on the off years after the move to the Big Ten. That's the desire for both teams, and it seems that the Big Ten is on board with that.

Jason

2:50

With USC moving to the big10, are there talks to get them to play at ND the last weekend in November? They can't just stay in California all November anymore after all.

Eric Hansen

2:50

Well Cory, let's start with what those teams looked like in the red zone last season. Ohio State was 11th in red zone offense and Notre Dame 32nd (out of 130), up from 84th over the last six games of the season. Ohio State was 88th in red zone defense. ND was 39th. To your point about red zone field goals vs. red zone TDs, that could turn out to be a huge factor. Red zone can be an overstated stat a lot of times. You are right, I believe, in citing it as a factor to watch in this particular game.

Cory from Greenville, SC

2:44

Eric, thanks so much for these!!! I'll try to keep this brief, is there any reason we should be excited about the red zone during the OSU game? Here's why I ask, a) Stroud is not touted as a 'running' QB. I know he can run, but not to the extent of how Buchner can be used as a runner. b) I'd like to think we'd have the advantage on both lines, especially the defensive line near the red zone (forcing Stroud to make the quickest of decisions). c) And finally, though OSU has a fantastic RB, I feel like we have a stable that can do just as much, this also goes back to the idea that our lines of scrimmage will have an advantage. For those reasons, can we believe this could play out as a bend-don't-break game? Holding to red zone FGs instead of TDs? Thanks again!

Eric Hansen

2:40

Adam, thank you. I don't think ND has a pathway to victory without controlling both lines of scrimmage. Even if it's not a tremendous edge. They need to win there. Ohio State's skill is too good. ... Yes also concerned about Marist. I talked to him at length in July for a story I'll do as soon as I am confident he is 100 percent. I talked to him again during camp. He assures he's fine, but actions speak louder than words. 3) I think ND's defense will make sure it gets good matchups. And I think you'll see some creativity in packages when to comes to third downs.

Adam (Dayton, OH)

2:35

Hi Eric, thanks again for the best chats in the business. Sept 3rd is looming large. I think ND fans are almost taking it for granted that ND will have an advantage on the lines of scrimmage, but I'm not so sure. Ohio State has blue chips on both of their lines, and the matchup of ND's defensive ends vs. OSU's tackles, and ND's tackles vs. OSU's defensive ends will be fascinating. 1.) If the line of scrimmage battle is a "push", does ND have any chance to win? 2.) Concerned about Marist Liafau's lack of practice...is everything ok there? 3.) Rightly worried about ND's secondary and their inability to match up with Buckeye receivers. But, are ND's linebackers and even bigger worry/liability? I fear that Ryan Day is scheming ways to get JSN and company matched up on a backer. Will we see a healthy dose of Tariq Bracy and Jaden Mickey, perhaps?

Eric Hansen

2:28

Hi Don and thanks. I still have this team on a 10-2 trajectory. Besides staying healthy, here's what you need to see to believe you have underestimated this group. 1) Buchner needs to be in the top 25 nationally in passing efficiency. The best defensive teams ND will face come later in the season. That gives him a chance to improve over time before he faces his biggest challenges. 2) ND has to be much much better at running the ball, and better at stopping the run. IN BIG GAMES. 3) The Irish face four teams in the first five weeks that were in the top 17 nationally in total offense. If they can withstand and improve during that stretch, look out. 4) The Marist Liufau situation is perplexing. If he is not 100 percent, they need Prince Kollie to emerge in the linebacker rotation. 5) This needs to be a team that's very good in turnover margin and opportunistic on special teams. The CBs and WRs and quarterbacks have the most to prove, have the most risk in making you right about nine wins (or fewer).

Don in Phoenix

2:18

Eric, Hope all is well in South Bend. Excited for the season. My over/under is 9 and 3. Although the D seems solid, the corners need to prove themselves and with Marist recently having few practice mentions the LBs may be a little slow. The O has concerns as well. Receiver depth, new QB, and thin RB depth. Also Coach Freeman is leading the team for his second game against OSU. What do we need to see in the first three games that will make 10 or 11 wins realistic? What are the groups that have the most risk with execution putting 8 or 9 wins in play? Thanks and love the coverage.

Eric Hansen

2:17

Barnes had the best spring of that sophomore group. Tucker has had the best fall camp among those three. If you are grouping them by threes -- it'd be Hart-Bracy-Lewis (1s). Mickey-Morrison-Tucker (2s). Barnes-Riley-Bellamy (3s). Right now Bracy is playing every down and slides to nickel when they go to three corners on the field. It's possible Mickey could work into that top group, but I see an improved Clarence Lewis this camp. We'll get some better insight into the groups when the media gets CBs coach Mike Mickens and the corners on Thursday night this week.

Andrew from Wash DC

2:09

There has been high praise for the freshman DB's (Morrison and, especially, Mickey), but not much news on the DB classes just above them. Are Tucker, Riley, or Barnes going to have much impact this season? And do you believe Mickey has the type of ability to potentially supplant Clarence Lewis as a starter this season?

Eric Hansen

2:09

Hi Paul. Off-the-charts strong. Nice depth piece. Has some schematic flexibility in that he can play in a 4-3 front and seems ideal for a 3-4 nose guard. Nice portal pickup.

Paul, Toronto

2:07

Hi Eric, how has Chris Smith looked in camp and what kind of impact will he have for the Irish.

Eric Hansen

2:07

Hi Tadd. Hope you're enjoying Pujols-palooza. Tyson Ford shows signs of being someone on a strong trajectory for the future. Because ND is so deep across the defensive line, it is likely he'll be redshirted ... But not because he's failing to live up to expectations. That's not the case.

Tadd

2:05

I’m from STL and interested in STL recruit Tyson Ford. How does he look in practice? Will he be redshirted?

Eric Hansen

2:05

Hi Marie, Thanks. I hope you're having a great week yourself. I mean, if Harry Hiestand counts as a new coach, game over. But he's got a lot of competition. It's hard for me to remember a staff I've been more impressed with overall -- before they've all coached together in a game, at least. I'm going to go with WRs coach Chansi Stuckey. It's stunning how polished he is for a guy who hasn't been doing this for very long. On your NIL question, I think it's more likely there will be a level playing field within five years (with still some cheating like there's always been), than it is that we'll have wholesale cheating. I don't think that model is sustainable even for the cheaters.

Marie from Atlanta

2:00

hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. Now that you have seen multiple practices which of the new coaches has impressed you the most? Which position group do you think has shown the most improvement from the spring? Which position group are you still the most concerned about? On an unrelated topic, which do you think is more likely, the issues with NIL are resolved within five years, or all the teams that are currently following the rules, including Notre Dame, break down and And allow for a collective to form and entice kids to sign with their school? As sad as it is, it seems that may end up being the only way to stay competitive in the college football in the future. As always, thanks for all your great insights.

Eric Hansen

2:00

Thanks for the great compliment.

Bill milford

1:59

Thanks for these great insights

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