JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 17, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 17, 2024

Eric Hansen

3:26

OK, that's going to have to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. Because we'll be doing interviews with the incoming transfers next Wednesday, we'll do the chat next Tuesday at noon. See you then!

3:25

That's not a bad idea.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

3:25

Eric, based on your answer to Kevin from Orlando regarding an NIL chat some week, do you think you could get Brady Quinn to be a part of a Chat or a Pod cast devoted to clarifying NIL for us fans? Thanks

Eric Hansen

3:25

Hi Don. The problem with the sports journalism ecosystem and coaching searches is that sometimes people are reporting situations/candidates they've vetted. Sometimes they're reporting what might be logical. And sometimes they're just throwing names at a wall and seeing what sticks. And many times, there's not a distinct line drawn as to which of these scenarios they're putting out there. The reporting on Mike Mickens falls somewhere between scenario 2 and 3. It wouldn't surprise me that Mickens would eventually be PURSUED by other schools, including his alma mater, UC. But he may be in line to be the next ND defensive coordinator. At some point. Until he falls into category 1, I wouldn't get too excited.

Don from Cincinnati

3:19

Eric do you think mike mickens will apply for DC position at UC and if he were to land it do you think it would have a trickling affect on ND roster . Or do you think he sits tight and waits to see what may happen with Coach Golden? Thanks as always for your great insight. Hopefully he stays put!

Eric Hansen

3:19

Hi Jack. Again a bandwidth thing on Rees. Other than hearing he interviewed for and didn't get the Arizona head coaching job, I haven't followed it closely. There's just too much going on with the Notre Dame beat for me to pursue that fervently, but I certainly understand your curiosity.

Jack, Strongsville Ohio

3:17

Hi Eric. Where do you think Tommy Reese's future is ? Thanks for all the great work across all your platforms.

Eric Hansen

3:16

Hi Sean and thanks for your question. If/when I do write about it, I will leave the "holier than thou" part out. I think there are times the ND administration is very slow and stubborn about adapting to changing times, but I think some of their concerns about underclassman transfers were legit, and their willingness to talk through those and not dig in their heels, to me, is the opposite of holier than thou. I would love to talk to incoming AD Pete Bevacqua about this and many other topics as soon as we're granted access to him.

Sean, Schaumburg IL

3:13

Eric, statement/question. ND admins pivoting to allowing non-grad transfers and having players in South Bend being with the team(Collins and others) while finishing classes at other schools is nothing short of amazing. Do you have a story in the works that involves the admins and their complete 180 on the transfer portal/non-grad transfers? Changing their "Holier-than-thou" stance in so many aspects for athletics is nothing short of amazing. Go Irish.

Eric Hansen

3:13

So what if you're not a starter, you get beaten out ... do you lose NIL money? No. Do you start because of NIL money? Not at Notre Dame. Do you transfer because of NIL money promises elsewhere? Maybe, but the opportunities at Notre Dame make that a less-attractive option. I could go into examples and maybe I need to do an NIL chat with Michael McCann from Sportico or someone from ND sometime. And do nothing but NIL questions. What you won't get is specifics on who made how much. Maybe approximations.

3:09

Kevin, this really could fill a novel if I were to go in depth. And the sticking point is, that answer was different a year ago and two years ago than it is today and likely will be different next year at this time. It's like trying to draw a picture of oxygen. Let me give you some basics that I hope are helpful. Notre Dame's biggest, but not only, collective, is FUND. Brady Quinn is a driving forced there. Every scholarship football player get something. When Marcus talks to you, though, he'll take you through FUND's mission beyond the money and the giving back to the community that's attached to it. He'll also speak of opportunities beyond FUND. From the recruits and parents of recruits I've connected with, they are extremely impressed with Notre Dame's presentation. Attaching a dollar figure to a starting position or to a position group is an approximation and not universal. Anyone who tells you differently is feeding you fiction. (more)

Kevin , Orlando

3:03

Let's pretend that I am a somewhat coveted recruit (albeit an 82 year old). I know enough about Notre Dame to not make it my first question to Marcus Freeman, but after the some introductory conversation, I ask the question...."So please explain to me exactly what Notre Dame's NIL program is. Who funds it? Do all scholarship players receive somethingfrom the program? Can you tell me how much the starters at, my expected position, this past year actually received in NIL money? What does Coach Freeman tell me?

Eric Hansen

3:02

He said the second one was more serious/complicated from a physical recovery standpoint and created mental challenges as well. So if ND is concerned about numbers, it can dip into the portal after spring practice. Right now you have Raridon, Sherwood and Flanagan for sure ... and Larsen at least enrolling early to get his body more ready for CFB. So a reassessment is in order after spring, and the timelines for Bauman and Evans will factor heavily into that. If you have one of the two at full go in August, I really like the group, especially if Evans is ready to roll.

2:59

Wow Tom, I had to Google the Atlanta weather to make sure you weren't messing with me. Wow. ... It looks like you'll warm up next week (as will we, relatively speaking). Let's start with Bauman, and yes he's had three serious leg/knee injuries that have eaten up all or most of three seasons. If there's a hiccup in his rehab, he could be a medical retiree at some point. I think he's determined for that not to happen. He is on a faster recovery timeline, because his injury was in August. The unknown with Evans' timeline is the mental part of it. For instance Eli Raridon treated the first ACL tear like a boo-boo. He was doing things way ahead of schedule. (more)

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:55

Hi Eric, winter has arrived in ATL with temps in the teens and windchill near zero. Hopefully it doesn't last long. What are your thoughts about the TE group for '24?? With Evans and Bauman coming back from surgery it sure seems the TE rotation will be thin at the start of the season. Freshman Larsen does not seem as ready physically to step in and contribute as Cooper Flanagan did this year. Do we have any timetable for the return of both Evans and Bauman? Has Bauman been injury cursed thus far in his career? What is your take on this group for '24? Thanks and Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:55

Antonio Carter II was one of the most pursued DBs in the portal last cycle and is not getting near the quantity and quality of takers this time around. Both the position switch and the step up from the FCS competition proved to be steeper than many, including me, thought. The fact that he jumped back into the portal when there was an opportunity to compete to start probably wasn't a great look for some schools.

Patrick, Fort Wayne,IN

2:52

Good afternoon Eric. I was under the impression that Antonio Carter II was signed last year with the idea of being a strong candidate to play major minutes in 2024. What happened to his trajectory?

Eric Hansen

2:52

Hi Ty and thanks for the exclamation points!!!!!! I think with each of your questions these are better answered when there's more of a body of substance from which to draw conclusions. On the AD front, that's more of a long-term thing than affecting a particular game and it depends on who A&M gets to replace Ross Bjork. Having said that, even Bjork admitted to new head coach Mike Elko in a written apology that the timing of the move was not ideal. Florida State has used the transfer portal as well as any program. Not most often, but well. Their hit rate is fantastic. I'd like to see how things play out in the spring a bit before I go any further with how those developments might affect a game in November. Thanks in advance for being patient with me.

Ty - Godfrey, IL

2:39

Eric!!! The Wizard of O. . . .er Irish!!! Your newly assigned agent is here (per your posting response two weeks ago) to pose a question or two. The team is shaping up very nicely and anticipation appears to be high for some spirited spring football entertainment/competition. 1. It looks like some fracturing is taking place in the TAM athletics department (father's school, DMV). Do you feel the loss of the AD to Ohio State, might strengthen the football program or be a weakness that benefits the beloved Irish? 2. It appears FSU is becoming West Alabama with all the portal moves from Alabama to that program. What impact do you visualize with those additions to FSU and how might that play out in our game against them next fall?

Eric Hansen

2:37

The very first day of August training camp — Kyle's first ND practice -- he had three interceptions. And Brian Kelly tried to tamp it down as not to let it go to Kyle's head, which it never would have. He continues to bring a positive association with the Notre Dame brand, which in turn helps its recruiting.

2:36

Hi Matt. I had a one-on-one with Kyle for a preview magazine piece right ahead of his June enrollment in 2019. I remember how mature, focused, driven and teammate-caring he came off ... and that's exactly who he stayed as he ascended as a player at ND. Really didn't care about the credit that came to him ... would do things to make teammates better behind the scenes. I think Cam Hart is a great example of a player who benefitted from their interactions and friendship. Parents are really interesting people -- divorced but worked together beautifully and unselfishly to make a better life for their kids. (more)

Matt from Austin

2:31

Hi Eric, I hope this finds you well. No x's or o's in my question. With Kyle Hamilton being named All Pro this year, I was hoping that you might share some memories of your interactions with him during his time at Notre Dame. Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:30

Hi Rich. Pro Football Focus tracks them. I can't give you the yardage, but I can give you the frequency. So, nine players started at least one game on the O-line. Four of them had zero penalties — Ashton Craig, Bill Schrauth, Tosh Baker and Charles Jagusah, per PFF. Among the theres -- Zeke Correll and Blake Fisher had five each, Pat Coogan three, and Rocco Spindler and Joe Alt two apiece.

Rich Key West

2:25

Do you know of any source that could provide the number of penalties and yards assessed against each of the offensive linemen that started games last season? I haven't been able to find those statistics and am curious how efficiently each of them were.

Eric Hansen

2:24

Tom, thanks for your question and it's a good one. The bad news is I don't have the bandwidth to do the deep dives on other programs sometimes that I'd like to given all my other priorities. But again great question. The good news is, I'm providing you a link that will provide your a really detailed description of the violations and why they were violations from the NCAA itself. I hope you find it as helpful as I did.

Tom from Sister Lakes, MI

2:20

Hi Eric, To use a term made famous by the legendary FSU coach Bobby Bowden, I'm bumfuzzled by the NCAA findings against FSU regarding NIL. On the surface it sounds like FSU did what other schools have been doing and are doing. But since the school did not protest the sanctions, they must be guilty of something. Would you please explain for us exactly what FSU did wrong that got them into trouble? And if possible, compare/contrast it to what ND does. Thanks. Stay warm and I hope your vehicle always starts.

Eric Hansen

2:15

Hey Frank. Let's wait until we have a chance to talk to Marcus Freeman on the record and get the most accurate, up-to-date info rather than sources and rumblings.

Frank from Royse City, Texas

2:14

Eric, do you have any updates on the injured ND players? Also, who is set to return for the spring practices?

Eric Hansen

2:13

Hypothetically, if Ramon had wanted to make a U-turn I'm not sure there would have been room for him. Transfers can go back to their original school, but the old school is under no obligation to take them. ... If ND is going to add an offensive lineman, it looks like it would be after spring not for spring semester. There will be new names entering the portal in the later window -- April 16-30. So the Irish will be in a better position to access their situation, including if there are any significant injuries. Buelow played inside for Washington after coming their as a tackle prospect. I think if ND is going to add, it'd be at tackle.

2:10

https://x.com/UCLAFootball/status/1747686472659198373?s=20

2:09

Hi Jason and thank you. Your timing is perfect as Ramon Henderson just announced his transfer to UCLA.

Jason from Grand Rapids, MI

Not sure if I hit enter or not... Julious Buelow OT from UW entered the portal. He was offered by ND, maybe the influx of Hawaiians will encourage him as well. Thanks as always!

2:06

Eric thanks for the chats as always. Looking forward to spring and the warmer weather and spring football. Quick question on transfers. A guy like Ramon Henderson whom I felt was.making progress especially at position of need would have wanted to stay. With the incoming transfers and him not having a new school yet is there any chance he returns or was the door shut when he left for a multitude of reasons. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:05

3 Way too broad to answer quickly. I mentioned earlier, there's not uniformity from year to year, position to position, school to school. 4. The offensive line being the surprise position group (a good surprise) of the spring, Riley Leonard looking like an NFL prospect. Notre Dame wringing its hands over how many attractive options it has at the field receiver position. 5. I honestly don't have a rooting interest in any of the teams that are left, so I think the Lions winning would be interesting. Super Bowl prediction. Hang on, let me throw a dart at the wall. OK the Ravens. And Chiefs-Bills, I'll go with Taylor Swift's favorite team.

1:59

Hi Matt. You list five, but this is dangerously close to the dreaded-and-forbidden 17-parter. 1. I think the transfer portal takes some of the urgency out of more extreme version of position flexibility, like moving a running back to safety, for instance or a quarterback to tight end, etc. But more subtle flexibility is still important -- being able to play more than one linebacker position or more than one O-line position, etc. is valuable. Who's the most flexible? Off the top of my head Xavier Watts, Rod Heard II, June freshman enrollee Brauntae Johnson, Micah Bell. 2. Absolutely. 100 percent. (more)

Matt (KC)

1:49

Hi there, quick fire five: 1. How important is position flexibility for a roster and who are our 2-3 most position flexible players, meaning S that could play LB, WR that might become a TE, OL to DL, etc. 2. Do you think designed QB runs will be a part of the offense moving forward, assuming Angeli stays and we have a reliable backup QB? 3. What does an analyst do? Analyze, I know! I hear about these analyst positions on the coaching staff and am curious if they are coaching away from the field, just breaking down opponent game film, or what. 4. What are a few telling signs you will be looking for in spring to forecast a very high ceiling season? 5. Who are you pulling for in the NFL playoffs and can we get a Super Bowl prediction? Sorry a bonus, I need a Chiefs/Bills prediction too.

Eric Hansen

1:49

Hi Ryan. We had Rod Heard II on the podcast last week, and I think Notre Dame fans are going to embrace him for who he is both on and off the field. I like that move a lot.

Ryan

1:48

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the transfer from northwestern i think he will be good next to Xavier Go IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

1:48

Hi Ed. ... Two -- if the ACC were to completely implode. And if the student-athlete model so evolved that it came into direct conflict with Notre Dame's academic mission.

Ed from Sayville NY

1:46

Hi Eric. As college football continues to evolve, what issue do you foresee that could keep Pete Bevaqua from getting a full night’s sleep?

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