JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 5, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 5, 2025

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Eric Hansen

2:48

And speaking of not dropping the baton, that's going to do it for today's chat. I actually emptied the queue for the first time since ... I don't know. But we'll be back next week sometime, likely Wednesday and we'll stay in weekly mode throughout spring football. Thanks for all the great questions, great multiple exclamation points and compliments!

2:46

I'll give you an example. In the late 80s, I covered a sprinter in high school when I was at the Hammond Times named Rusty Setzer. One of the all-time best sprinters in state history at Bishop Noll and signed with ND for football ... and stunk at ND. And the reverse is true. Guys who are super fast on the football field, but don't have the track experience or verified track times. Leonard Moore, I am sure, is fast, but he did not run track his senior year and his track times prior to that are kind of meh. So, I went with guys I knew had done it on the track AND would not drop the baton.

2:40

Hi Tim. Such a busy, busy day and night and I do 2 1/2 hours of pregame radio on game days, so College GameDays is very much an afterthought. And while I'll hear about things, including what you referenced, unless it directly has to do with Notre Dame, it falls outside of the bandwidth my brain allows me. So no, I have no opinion on it other than it sounded funny. I will not go back over it. Just not worth my time. Not an insult to you, just doesn't move the needle. ... And the 4x100. I did that off the top of my head and am still doing it now. But there's a difference in football speed and track speed. (more)

Tim - STL

2:30

Happy Lent. Thanks for continuing these chats. Were you able to review the college game day videos before the ND v Ind game, specifically the interaction between Sabin and comedian Shane Gillis? It seemed to me that Sabin was highly offended at jokes around his player EVER being paid. I'm not a fan but are we to believe Sabin was either faking it as an insult or he truly believes his players were never paid. What your opinion? Does he insist he's pulled the wool over everyone's eyes or whether the money thrown around the SEC for years was done without his knowledge? (PS you still don't have Leonard Moore in your Top five 4 X 100 reply team?)

Eric Hansen

2:30

Ed, as soon as we make the shift to direct payments (with a key court hearing coming April 7), I will make sure to do a tutorial that explains the financial side of all this. NIL will take on a different form after that. And keep in mind, whatever new rules are put in place, how ever fair ... or not, immediately there will be schools that invest time and energy in figuring out how to circumvent the new rules and try to tip the scales in their favor. ... But no, it will not be Mie Martin's job to generate revenue. A part of his job likely will be how to distribute it.

Ed from Sayville

2:27

Hi Eric. Will part of Mike Martin’s job be raising funds for NIL, and am I correct in thinking that NIL funding will continue to be just as significant as it currently stands. Thank you as always for your insights.

Eric Hansen

2:26

Chip, as long as no one calls me a lady AND yet includes their name and hometown, I'll play along. But you are correct in your terminology.

Chip, Pawleys Island, SC

2:25

Hi, Eric, I have noticed about 3 weeks running the use of the non-existent term "Lady Irish" so my question if for the chat at-large - can it please be remenbered that we are all the Fighting Irish!

Eric Hansen

2:25

Marie, it doesn't guarantee them a No. 1 seed, but I think it positions them very well for one, especially if USC wins the Big Ten Tournament and Texas wins the SEC, And if that's the case and ND wins the ACC and UConn the Big East, those would be the top four seeds in some order. ND would have an ACC tourney titl, likely wins over No. 11 Duke and No. 7 NC State in that tourney and earlier wins over the Nos. 1-2-3 teams in the AP poll and when ND wasn't at full strength yet in terms of injured players returning. If UCLA and South Carolina won their respective tourneys, then it makes the No. 1 seeds much more gray area. I think if ND can learn from the losses -- and they did defensively -- then I think it could be a disguised blessing.

2:21

Changing topic to women’s basketball, if the women win the ACC tournament do you think that will guarantee them a top four seed? Also, based on the performance in the Louisville game, do you think they are beginning to right the ship? Sometimes a loss right before the tournament is a good thing, but two losses was obviously a little more concerning. Thanks again for hosting the chat and giving us all your great insights.

Ok, here is the WBB part of Marie's question:

2:20

I think there was a steep curve in trying to reintegrate herself into a team that already was on a win streak and had established roles and roles that were different from last year's team. So where does she fit offensively and defensively? ND played a lot more zone last year, for instance. Way way more man this year, but Westbeld is a 5 on defense sometimes. Against some teams it's comfortable, against others not so much. But I do think if she can make that adjustment and stay out of foul trouble, the offense is going to come ... and needs to. She's a true stretch 4 and a very difficult matchup. And the more balanced ND is in both tourneys, the tougher they will be to send home.

2:17

I asked coach Niele Ivey about here on the ACC Tournament preview Zoom call earlier this week. In case you missed it, here's the full article from that day that covers the Westbeld situation in details as well as some other cool topics: Notebook: Football's Freeman and Notre Dame WBB coach Ivey join forces We also had Maddy Westbeld on our podcast about a week and a half ago and she shared some insight there as well: YOUTUBE
But let me give you a thumbnail here as well .... (more)

Dono

2:10

A non football question if I may, what is wrong with Maddy Wesbeld? Wasn’t she a consistent 10+ points a game player in the past ? She seems a shadow of the player she used to be. Any insight. I think she should be a focus for the Coaching staff to get her back to her former level for the playoffs.

Eric Hansen

2:10

OK switching to WBB for a few questions and then we'll flip back to football and close with that. ....
Hi Jack. As you know, the ACC Tournament comes first. And ND will likely play Cal or Virginia on Friday first in the quarterfinals. I think if Notre Dame can play the kind of defense it played during its 19-game win streak and against Louisville on Sunday and get more balance in its offense, this is a Final Four team, maybe even a national title team. But there are still pieces that must come together, and one of them is in the next question.

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

2:07

Hi Eric. What is your outlook for the Lady Irish in the NCAA tournament? Thanks as always for all your GREAT work!

Eric Hansen

2:07

Hi Matt. Only two parts? You're usually a five-part guy. ... 1) Improving run defense. Creating a pass rush that is effective against the best of the best offensive lines. 2) Consistency. Big .... uh, intestinal fortitude.

Matt (KC)

2:05

What will be the biggest coaching challenge for the ND defensive coaches in 2025? 2. What do you think will be 1 or 2 separating factors in choosing the next starting QB?

Eric Hansen

2:04

Of the uncommitted targets, who do I think should be the must-get one of them? I cheated and used a phone-a-friend lifeline. My instinct took me to defensive line and wide receiver and so I was offered DL McHale Blade and WR Kaydon Finley.

1:56

Roger, thank you, I almost gave myself up for Lent. I think of the four position groups you mentioned, the safeties room presents the best reasons to be optimistic without adding caution to that optimism. In order after that I would say wide receivers, defensive interior and then tight ends. I think with 12 players and some intriguing ones, ND will find some quality there. The tight ends have less margin for error, because of numbers, because of Cooper Flanagan's injury and because two of the perhaps better options don't arrive until June in Ty Washington and James Flanigan. And there's no guarantees with either of them, but I really like Flanigan's chances. (more)

Roger from Peoriaaa

1:51

Eric: Thank you for your Irish insights and sharing your wisdom with us chatters!! I wish you a Happy Ash Wednesday and let me state that despite the appropriateness of selecting some discipline or self-control to exercise during the Lenten season in preparation for Easter, I will NOT be giving up your Live Chats as a form of penance preparing for Easter!! So, please keep them coming!! Prior to the 2024 season, significant concern existed about the O-Line. That turned out pretty darn good!! I currently have concern about the 2025 D-Line (especially the interior), the 2025 Wide Receivers, the 2025 Tight Ends and one-half of the 2025 Safety position. Which one of my concerns do you believe could emulate what the 2024 O-Line did? And, why? Also, while Tyler perhaps follows recruiting more than you, in your spare time (what is that?), you likely are aware of many 2026 Irish targets. If you could pick just one currently uncommitted Irish target for the Irish, who would that be? And, why? GO IRISH!!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:51

Hi IrishMike!!!! Not yet, but we won't hide those from you when they do happen. We will cover the press conference with new GM Mike Martin on Thursday, so be sure to check out insidendsports.com for all the updates from that. Bonus points for the great punctuation.

IrishMike Altoona, PA

1:50

Hi Eric!!!! Thanks for the chats! Any updates on replacement to the recruiting staff?

Eric Hansen

1:48

So Tom, and I say this with all due respect and a little tongue in cheek, if Buh's best season is at Wyoming 20 years ago, we're going to have to get you some new reading glasses or reinstate the "no drinking" rule. Having had dinner with you in Atlanta and you having the great taste to order the exact same dish I did, I know you're a smart guy, plus you were around Ara a lot. Watch what you read. This guy has lot of experience and there have been ups and downs, and you can gain from both.

1:44

Tom and Ron. I put your questions together, because I think they are about the same person, but maybe not. Marcus Freeman has hired two defensive analysts this season. There are senior defensive analyst Andy Buh (linebackers) from Purdue. Defensive analyst Jevaughn Codlin (defensive backs) from West Virginia. I think the one you both are asking about is Buh. So let me list his résumé and then we can get into some talking points ...

Ron Dover De

1:39

Hi Eric hope things are good with you. My question is that I saw we have a new defensive analyst who has history with DC Ash can you share any thoughts on him? Thanks

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

1:39

Hi Eric. I hope that you are getting ready for an exciting tournament season for WBB. Good luck to all the players and Coach Ivey!!!!! I think that I read somewhere that Coach Ash has added a Defensive Analyst who recently was at Purdue and had coached with Ash at Rutgers. Is that true??? I also recall that this coach's resume was less than stellar. The best season he had as a defensive coach was 20 years ago at Wyoming if I read the article correctly. Please tell me that ND, at this stage of their program's progress could do better than this??? He may work out fine but on the surface this is not inspiring. Freeman says "Question everything" so I'm questioning this hire. Your thoughts please. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

1:37

Hi Jules. I actually was on the phone with Tom Lemming right before the chat started and we were catching up on a whole bunch of things before he heads out later this month for a few weeks. We're going to have him on a show or podcast while he's in California evaluating those prospects. So thanks for giving me a nudge. I think it's pretty typical when there has been some roster turnover for those new captains to earn their stripes during spring and summer. And since that hasn't happened yet, I don't know that I'd be giving you a fair picture. Drayk Bowen, a junior comes to mind. And I can throw out other names, but I'd kind of like to see some spring ball first, fair enough?

Jules, Joliet, Ill

1:29

Eric: In 2024, ND had a lot veteran leadership on both sides of the ball. In 2025 they will be relying on a younger group. What would be your guess as to who will fill the Team Captain slots? (Say 2 on offense and 2 on defense.). Also, do you have any Tom Lemming chats upcoming? Always a treat when you visit with him.

Eric Hansen

1:27

This is from Tom from Evanston, Ill., who DM'd me his info ... He was beat up, and he said he was fine to go in the game and this wasn't about head trauma, but what was clear was that he was not in position to do a lot of running after that series. Like they could not run him nine times in a series moving forward, which they didn't. So nothing sinister, just a fact of how the game played out.

Guest

1:25

Hi Eric. I was a little confused by some of the reporting around what Leonard said about being hurt after the first drive against tOSU. I know he got sick on the sidelines. Was he in bad shape? Should Freeman not have sent him out there after?

Eric Hansen

1:25

Surprises? You want me to spoil the surprise? The two players who I think have the best chance to come way off the radar to surprise are WR Cam Williams and DT Elijah Hughes. More likely surprises, if there is such a thing, WR Will Pauling and DT Jared Dawson and S Tae Johnson.

1:23

Having said that, beyond starting to figure out who Riley Leonard's successor will be at the top of the QB depth chart, I think the biggest takeaway will be are we seeing signs that Notre Dame's wide receivers are good enough to help the offense to become harder to deal with and more diverse and explosive. Answers at tight end big too. On defense, starting to get some pecking order at DT/NG and at safety and also seeing what the differences will be between Golden's last and Ash's first defense. Does Ash emphasize stopping the run more? Do the Irish have pass rush options beyond returning injured players Botelho and Traore? (more)

1:20

Hi Matt. Let me get to the most pressing part of your multi-part question. The pasta sauce. Longtime leaner toward the red sauce, but Alfredo has been gaining in recent years. Then a miracle happened. I was invited to a friend's house for dinner and they had the audacity to try to impress me with an Italian dinner ... and hid a grand slam. Red sauce and alfredo sauce combined. It was magic. There is an art and a science to it. I was lucky enough to have leftovers sent home, which are sitting in my freezer. Yum. ... Biggest takeaways from spring ball. The most important thing to remember about spring ball is it's more about impressions than it is about conclusions. (more)

Matt from Austin

1:14

Hi Eric, hope this finds you well. What, in your opinion, will be the biggest takeaways and surprises from Spring ball? Also, on a more serious note, red sauce or alfredo on pasta? Take care and stay warm. Matt

Eric Hansen

1:12

DEs: Loaded but need guys to get healthy. Linebackers: Loaded, where and how does everyone fit? Safeties and interior defensive line: There's your spring intrigue. Who lines up next to Adon Shuler at safety and how deep does that rotation go? Interior defensive line? 12 bodies, you need 5-6 quality players to emerge (actually only 11 this spring, No. 12 arrives this summer). I don't think there's a lot Chris Ash is going to show me definitively in the spring that I didn't learn at the press conference. I like the continuity in his approach. I like the fact he's aggressive. I'll learn more in the fall and as I get to talk to players.

1:09

WRs; I think this is more about who the rotational players are then determining the starters, although there could be a surprise. So players to watch to fill in the rotation, KK Smith, Will Pauling, the three sophs-t--be and freshman Elijah Burress. TEs: Few healthy ones in spring. Will Bauman and or Larsen become a legit sidekick to Eli Raridon? O-Line, mostly who's the LT and who's a guard between Charles Jagusah and Anthonie Knapp? Can someone surprise, like Guerby Lambert? CBs: Building depth behind Gray, Moore and behind nickel Devonta Smith (more).

1:05

Hi Marie. I appreciate your normal well-thought barrage of questions. I'm going to save the WBB questions for a little later in the chat, and when I do the transcript, I'll just break up the questions so they make sense to the readers, which for now I probably thoroughly confused. ... Let me do a quick take on each position group beyond the QBs. RB: It's Jeremiyah Love and then three guys battling to be in the top four (with six RBs total). So realistically it's about who joins Love, Jadarian Price and Aneyas Williams. My best is Kedren Young. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

1:00

Hi Eric, thanks for hosting the chat. I know you must be pretty busy this week with the women’s ACC tournament. Not including the quarterback battle, which position battles are you the most excited about for the spring season? What are a couple things that you would like to see from Chris Ash this spring season that would make you feel very confident that he was the correct hire for the defensive coordinator? Changing topic to women’s basketball, if the women win the ACC tournament do you think that will guarantee them a top four seed? Also, based on the performance in the Louisville game, do you think they are beginning to right the ship? Sometimes a loss right before the tournament is a good thing, but two losses was obviously a little more concerning. Thanks again for hosting the chat and giving us all your great insights.

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