JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat February 23, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat February 23, 2022

Eric Hansen

2:57

OK, that's going to do it for this week. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll probably do one more before spring practice starts, then go weekly once it does start on March 17.

2:56

I have not done that interview yet, but since he was the original presenter of the 12-team concept and since we've talked in depth about that before the latest roadblocks, I am extremely confident that I knew which side he is on. But yes, I have some follow-ups on the topic.

Paul W Toronto, Ontario

2:55

Hi Eric, have you had a chance to talk with Jack Swarback about the decision to stay at four teams in the playoffs and if so which side of the fence does he fall on.

Eric Hansen

2:52

Hi Jeff. Under Brian Kelly, there were some geographical ties with assistants, but more and more recruiting became tied to position coaches and coordinators. I sense that the non-coaching staff -- Chad Bowden and his group -- will take ownership of the initial contacts and the assistants then recruit more to their position group, as the trend has been going. However, next time we have Marcus Freeman, I will ask him that. ... It's fairly standard for two-year contracts, but the standard continues to morph with higher salaries and more guarantees for elite coordinators on both sides of the ball. I don't see negative recruiting as an issue with regard to the contract of a coordinator.

Jeff from Phoenix

2:47

Good morning Eric! With the coaching hires finished, I wonder if each position coach has/will be assigned a specific geographical area for recruiting? Or will position coaches recruit their respective positions regardless of geographical area? If so, who would be the best for the west coast/Hawaii? Finally, is the 3-yr contract for Golden fairly standard for a D1 coordinator or is it on the short side and thus could expose ND to negative recruiting by other schools? Much thanks-

Eric Hansen

2:46

Hometown, David, please. ... I think he'll be ND's No. 1 wide receiver. I see him playing mainly outside, but also some in the slot.

David Thomas

2:45

How do you think Lorenzo styles will be utilized next year?

Eric Hansen

2:45

It's definitely something we're considering. This will be the first summer (fingers crossed) since 2019 in which there will a normal academic/workout and recruiting calendar. So if the access is similar to 2019, this would be a very doable and worthwhile project.

Rog in STL

2:43

Are you and Tyler going to be able to put together some kind of series of featured articles for the upcoming season similar to the magazine you produced at the paper? Really enjoyed the in depth interviews, articles, predictions, etc. Even if it isn't in print form, it would be great to have your insight into the upcoming season.

Eric Hansen

2:42

Rick, come join us if you'd like. ... It is technically an ND home game. I'll have to check about the parking/ticket priorities but that would seem to make sense. Nothing yet has been announced.

Rick from Lake Forest CA

2:38

Welcome to your new digs! I've missed you but hope you are doing well. Quick question, this year's Shamrock Game is in Las Vegas on Oct. 8 (same date as the Jimmy Buffet concert in LV!). Is that considered a home game and if so, do season ticket holders get first shot at tickets and parking?

Eric Hansen

2:38

It's not something we're keeping close tabs on. There's a curiosity but not an urgency. With Takacs, I would imagine he'll look at BC, where former position coach John McNulty is now the offensive coordinator. But it may be rise to see how things shake out after spring practices are over to get the best sense of where they might fit on a given roster.

Kirk from Northern Virginia

2:33

Have you heard anything about where KJ Wallace and George Takacs are looking to transfer?

Eric Hansen

2:33

I did not and will not until after I do mine. We've done interviews with Jack in close time proximity before and typically ask different questions and approach similar questions differently. That benefits the readers by giving them more info.

Adam, Florida

2:31

Did you get a chance to read Prister's interview with Swarbrick?

Eric Hansen

2:31

Jim, please include your hometown next time. ... Notre Dame has offered Nykoles a scholarship, but it takes two to fall in love. So far, Oregon, Miami, Penn State, Maryland, Texas A&M among others are higher on his priority list. Harbor can play on either side of the ball, but likely will end up at defensive end/linebacker. That might be one of the issues. ND already has commitments from two DEs ranked in the top 20 in the 2023 class and may have the inside track on top 10 prospect Samuel M'Pemba, who visits next month. They're at least in his top group. Rivals national recruiting analyst Adam Friedman recently interviewed Harbor. If you want more, here's their conversation.

jim zannino

2:24

We would like to know why Nyckoles Harbor from Washington D.C. is not a priority for Notre Dame football. He is from a Catholic High School and he is in the Rivals top 20. We follow recruiting closely and we haven"t seen any talk about this player coming from the Irish staff. Thank You

Eric Hansen

2:22

Mike, I'd love to help you out,, but I'm not sure if you're referring to the Irish Players Club's ventures or if this is something else. Can you email me (ehansen@insidendsports.com) and we can figure this out together?

Mike from Toronto

2:20

Eric, a continued thank-you for your efforts to keep us informed on all things Irish. It looks like we are tryng to connect/re-connect with former players and there is an initial gathering at the spring game. It would be great to meet some of these guys. Do you have any more information on this project or where I could go to keep up to date?

Eric Hansen

2:20

Hi Joey. He's part of a very very deep and talented position group. The interior defensive line, from top to bottom. graded as high as any position group on last year's team by PFF, and they only lost Kurt Hinish (and only added Donovan Hinish). The top four players at DT/NG all have experience and strong production -- Jayson Ademilola and Howard Cross, Rylie Mills and Jacob Lacey. Aidan Keanaaina and Gabe Rubio would be in that next group. Under Mike Elston, the d-line rotation would go three deep. I would expect with that kind of talent, Al Washington would do the same.

Joey G. Philadelphia, Pa

2:10

Hi Eric, Hope all is well with you! I read an early report on the 2 deep depth chart. I’m always interested to see who is not on there. A name that stands out to me is Gabe Rubio. I think with year 2 under Balis Rubio could be poised for a breakout. Any news you can report on Rubio?

Eric Hansen

2:09

Pete, I believe there's a need for more guardrails and just about every president, coach and AD feels that way. The problem is the NCAA was too incompetent and lethargic and timid when it came to this issue that they abdicated their power on it. Now someone else will have to clean up their mess, and it won't be easy. I should point out that there are some very honorable facets of NIL, but there are far too many unseemly examples.

Guest

2:01

Hi Eric. I grew up believing the old adage, “there’s no ‘I’ in TEAM.” Yet ‘I’ is the centerpiece of NIL, both literally and figuratively. Do you believe there needs to be additional guard rails for how NIL is implemented in collegiate sports, especially football? It feels to me like a free-for-all even though there’s nothing “free” about it. Thanks.
—Dr. Pete Cuozzo, ND ‘82

Eric Hansen

2:00

There are a lot of people in the coaching business who are absolutely sold on Rees' potential and his growth curve. There are those who look at production and want to see more before they join that club. I think that's a reasonable stance. What I believe Mario Cristobal at Miami saw was a guy who had some really good ideas when it came to the passing game. Mario, being an offensive guy himself, knows the run game. So he envisioned the two of them as making a pretty good combination.

1:58

Norris, I'm not sure I perceive Marcus as having a rough ride completing his coaching staff. He aimed high, very high. And sometimes when you do that, you don't get the person at the top of the list. It beats going after low-hanging fruit and not upgrading your staff when you have a chance to do so. ... As to Tommy Rees and the Fiesta Bowl game plan, the Irish did score 35 points on a defense that was top five in total defense nationally and rushing defense, and No. 9 in scoring defense. But as was covered already, there weren't the necessary adjustments made on either side of the ball to hold a big lead and win the game. ... I'm kind of guessing at what your question is. You want to know if Rees' game plan was flawed, why would Miami (or other teams) be interested? (more)

Guest

1:48

Norris from Singer Island, FL. I realize Marcus Freeman has a rough ride completing his coaching staff. But my question focuses on the status of our offensive coordinator. With Kelly gone TR was literally given the keys to the Cadiiiac But something seems to have happened about the time of the Fiesta Bowl game. Was it TR’a game plan? Failure to make adjustments as the game progressed? Choice of QB’s? Lack of a running game? Mike Hinton failed his test to become the DC because of his game calls.And suddenly TR becomes a candidate for the OC opening atcMiami.

Eric Hansen

1:47

Hi Greg. I hope the new site format isn't tripping you up. You asked me the same question in the last chat, and I answered it. My answer hasn't changed. So in case you had trouble locating it, here's the link.

GREG from CHICAGO

1:44

Saying this off season was strange is an understatement. ND went from “almost all the coaches are staying” to all but 3 left the program, delays in filling spots, transfers, issues with the portal, etc. While the coaching carousel should calm down, with NIL, the portal, etc., should we expect this type of craziness every year? I read the interview with Jack Swarbrick in the S-T last week. He sounded extremely concerned with where this is all headed.

Eric Hansen

1:43

He could certainly transfer at some point, but undergrad transfers are complicated. Daeh, a 2023 cornerback prospect, reaffirmed his commitment to IU, but could certainly change his mind. He is a Rivals250 prospect, but not as highly rated as Dasan. He does not hold an ND offer at this time. Diem, the youngest, is in elementary school.

1:40

John, Dasan McCullough, the second of new running backs coach Deland McCullough's four sons, is an early enrolled freshman at Indiana University and was a Rivals top 100 prospect in the 2022 class as an outside linebacker/defensive end. Notre Dame did offer him a scholarship before Deland left the Chiefs for IU last year. ND's new D-line coach Al Washington got a verbal commitment from Dasan while Washington was at Ohio State, but Dasan flipped to IU after dad left the Chiefs. That's also when Deland Jr. opted to hit the transfer portal and leave Miami, Ohio for IU. I think Dasan could have come to ND if he had wanted to, but decided to stay at IU. (more).

John - Palmyra, PA

1:29

Was there any interest from Desan McCullough to come start at Notre Dame, but he could just not get into school? Or was there no interest from the get?

Eric Hansen

1:27

Getting kids on campus means more than what's coming out of their mouths, and Keon reportedly will look at visiting ND twice this spring. Finally, new d-line coach Al Washington is a charismatic guy. I like the chances of Keely and Washington hitting it off. He's pulled in five-star prospects before, so he knows the territory.

1:25

Keon Keely is a five-star defensive end in the 2023 class from Tampa who is verbally committed to the Irish. When you wade into big-boy recruiting, these are the kind of scenarios you'll encounter. Other schools won't stop recruiting these kinds of players, even if they say they are 110% committed in a graphic. So expect this recruitment to have that element all the way to signing day. What you can feel good about? Keon is very close to the Reader family. Tre is a preferred walk-on who is committed to ND and younger brother Troy is an elite baseball prospect who is also committed to ND. There's a comfort zone there for Keon. (more)

Chris in Albuquerque

1:18

Hey Eric and a great morning to you! As of now (it's tough I know) does Keely keep his commitment to the Irish?

Eric Hansen

1:17

I'm much more optimistic about the safeties than the corners. I just did a overview story on the safeties, and you'll see why I feel that position group is in a good spot, especially if ND gets the 2020 version of Joseph. ... As far as the CBs, it's still not a guarantee that Bracy remains at ND for 2022, even though he is enrolled in school now. Hart is the only cornerback who had a decent grade from Pro Football Focus. So you have Hart, Lewis, Bracy and six players who are either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen. Reason for optimism? Mike Mickens has a history over getting young corners ready to play early. It didn't show up at ND last year, but that's his history. Of the six young corners I mentioned, I like Jaden Mickey and Benjamin Morrison, though Morrison doesn't arrive until spring. It's a big spring for Philip Riley, Ryan Barnes and Chance Tucker. Barnes was the most advanced of those three last year. I think it could be Riley this time.

Patrick from Newburyport, MA

12:57

Hi Eric, I have a lot of optimism for the upcoming season but the secondary is concerning. Joseph was a big pick up and i'm a Cam Hart fan but is there anyone you could see making a jump next yr. specifically at DB? Have you heard any chatter about Barnes, Riley, or Mickey and Bellamy having enrolled early? Or any confidence in Morrison contributing? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

12:57

Hi Marie. The perception with both of those elite talents is that Notre Dame is in the top group for both, as in top two. My read is that if either wanted to commit, Notre Dame would give them the green light to do so. If ND missed on both, they could circle back to Oklahoma commit Jackson Arnold (and are still in contact). They'd probably have a better chance there than getting uncommitted Nico Iamaleava back in the mix. Avery Johnson is an option. He's an outstanding athlete, but less polished as a QB. The Irish also continue to evaluate rising QB prospects such as Marcus Stokes, although the haven't yet offered a scholarship to him or some of the others that intrigue them. ... As far as new assistants and surprises, I'd say Chansi Stuckey. His non-coaching background is fascinating, and Tyler James has an upcoming story on that.

Marie from Atlanta

12:43

Hi Eric, I hope you are having a great week, and thanks for hosting the chat. With ND seemingly having a good chance to get Dante Moore, if Chris Vizzina is ready to make a commitment before Moore, do you think ND would take it, or hold out in the hope of landing Moore. Along those lines if they get neither, who are the next couple of QBs in line that they would be interested in, do you think they would circle back and try to flip Jackson Arnold? After getting to spend some time with all the coaches last week, which one surprised you the most and why? Thanks for your insights and all the great reporting.

Eric Hansen

12:42

If the NCAA was too limp and inept to put together guidelines and guard rails to regulate name, image and likeness, then they certainly lack the power and ability to impose a salary cap. Even if they tried, they'd likely end up with lawsuits that they would lose. I can understand the angst over this, but there really is not one powerful enough to impose the salary cap. Even if there was, I'm not sure it would work.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

12:37

To increase overall team parity much like the NCAA decision to limit scholarships at 85 a few years ago, do you feel the NCAA could/will place an overall school salary cap of the 10 football coaches per school? Do you think that will calm the end-of-year coaching chaos movements? Thanks Eric.

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