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Eric Hansen

1:25

I can't imagine it would negatively affect the recruiting class at all.

Pat

1:24

I personally believe ND has the potential to go 11-1 (loss @ UGA), but some believe road games at that school in the north and Stanford will also be losses. Assuming the nay-sayers are correct and The Irish go 9-3, what chances do you think they have of keeping top recruits like Chris Tyree and Jordan Johnson?

Eric Hansen

1:24

It really depends on how much Phil improves between now and that injury, and which games Book would miss. Phil could probably deliver wins in a stretch that included Duke-Navy-Boston College. If it were Georgia-Virginia or USC-Michigan-Va Tech, that probability goes down. ... A big part of the equation is how is the defense playing at that point in the season.

Mike C. from Reading, PA

1:21

Hi Eric. If Ian Book goes down with injury for any length of time, what is the realistic outlook on how far the Offense can go with Phil J. at the helm?

Eric Hansen

1:21

With Kevin Austin out to start the season because a university-imposed suspension, McKinley is the No. 2 boundary receiver for now (behind Chase Claypool). So yes he will be counted on for some game reps, at least early in the season.

Clancy from Sheboygan

1:18

Does Javon McKinley see the field this year in a meaningful way?

Eric Hansen

1:17

It did not shock me. I'll be writing about it later this afternoon.

Pete From Queens, Ny

1:16

Were there any signs that were noticeable of Derrick Allen possibly transferring in the spring?

Eric Hansen

1:16

Thanks!

doye21

1:16

Sorry about that hometown is South Bend IN.

Eric Hansen

1:16

Well on Thursday it was Michael Young. I really try to watch a little bit of everything, so that I have a better feel for the team. As much fun as it is to watch players who are ascending, it's important to watch those who are struggling, to get a feel what to ask Brian Kelly about.

Don from Scottsdale

1:09

When you see practice live is there a player who catches your eye and you can't stop watching?

Eric Hansen

1:03

Steve, thanks for the kind words. To be honest, it's something I would have to look into and have not had a chance yet. I know it affects fans much more than it does the media.

Steve from Canton MI

1:02

Glad to have the best sports caster back on the airwaysI thought I heard that the Michigan game was a night game, though various sites are indicating no time has been confirmed or they are saying 1:00 PM. Have you heard any confirmation?

Eric Hansen

1:01

Bob, what a source told me yesterday was 3-6. Brian Kelly may tweak that timeline in his remarks tomorrow after practice. This isn't his first significant injury, so his medicals will be an important part of the evaluative process. Kmet is a true junior, so he odes have eligibility in 2020 at Notre Dame.

Bob from NYC

12:59

Have they given any indication as to when they’ll update info on Kmet’s injury? I’ve heard 4-8 weeks for a collarbone so he could be back for Georgia or not back until bowling green. Also how well do you think he has to play upon return for this not to impact his NFL draft prospects. Taking that further, does he have a year of eligibility after this and could this mean we get another year of kmet in 2020?

Eric Hansen

12:58

Jack, Mr. Swarbrick has no control over when other teams schedule their bye weeks (open dates). ... I did some research, and in the last decade, teams college football teams won their next game after a bye 47 percent of the time and beat the spread just 51 percent of the time. Brian Kelly bucks that trend. He's 21-2 in his career and 10-1 at Notre Dame following a bye. This season, the game after Notre Dame's bye week is ... Michigan. The Irish play New Mexico after a 12-day layoff.

Jack, Strongsville, Oh

12:55

Hi Eric. ND is playing seven teams this season coming off their bye week. Georgia, Michigan and Stanford away. Why does Jack Swarbrick present an almost impossible task to his head coach?

Eric Hansen

12:46

Brock Wright moves into the starting role and Tommy Tremble, who is a complementary piece even when Kmet is healthy due to his different skill set, will get a chance to expand that role. George Takacs is the only other scholarship tight end on the roster. Chip Long may toy with the idea of using backup tackle Cole Maybry as a blocking tight end in multiple-tight end sets as well. In Kmet, ND is losing a player with elite skill at that position who hasn't had a chance to show it yet. There was going to be more of an emphasis on the tight end this season, because of Kmet, and still will once he returns to the lineup. ... The challenge at linebacker isn't talent or depth. It's trying to microwave the experience factor. You're right, Tranquill and Coney were very good. Tranquill, in fact, had an interception for the Chargers last night in a preseason game.

Pogo In Springfield, MO.

12:41

Who replaces Kmet and what do the irish lose with him>? Do the linebackers have enough talent to play close to the level of last year's guys? I thought Drue and Comey were really, really good.

Eric Hansen

12:39

doye21, what's your hometown?

12:38

I'm still kind of processing it (the Derrik Allen transfer), but I've always thought Houston Griffith's best position was safety. And since he isn't projecting as a starting cornerback anyway at this point, it makes sense to make that move. I like the way your mind works when it comes to depth chart engineering. Another possibility is freshman wide receiver Cam Hart, but I like the Griffith move better.

doye21

12:36

With news of Derrick Allen's transfer does that mean Houston Griffith will move back to safety?

Eric Hansen

12:36

It's hard to do so without a crystal ball. I don't think Clark Lea even knows. I'll give it a try. It's safe to assume Jalen Elliott and Alohi Gilman at safety and Troy Pride at one cornerback spot. I also think Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will start at rover, Donte Vaughn is getting the No. 1 reps at the field cornerback and I'm going to guess Shaun Crawford overtakes him. At linebacker, I'll go with Jack Lamb at the buck and Asmar Bilal at middle linebacker. Neither of those guys lined up with the 1s that way on Thursday.

Don from Scottsdale

12:31

Eric, Long time no chat. Haven't been able to make it. Read Derrick Allen is transferring. I guess Hamilton is for real. The season will start whether Lea has figured out the LBs. Is it too early to guess what how the back 7 of the D will look at KO on 9/2.

Eric Hansen

12:30

Andy, thanks for coming back. Troy Pride Jr., was clocked at 4.32 in the 40-yard dash, so I would count that as elite speed. On offense, I'd put wide receivers Baden Lenzy and Lawrence Keys III in that top category. ND is addressing the speed quotient through recruiting, and RB Chris Tyree has proven to be the fastest player in high school football ... at least among those attending national scouting events such as The Opening.

Andy from San Antonio, TX

12:27

Hey Eric - Happy Friday to you!! In what you've seen thus far from the Irish, is there a player with 'elite' speed. Referring to offense and or special teams, and 'elite' speed being someone like Will Fuller. Thanks for the chats! Glad football is back!

Eric Hansen

12:27

You can get a depth chart with all the updated heights and weights here: https://www.ndinsider.com/football/depthchart/ ... a complete roster without the updated heights and weight is here: https://www.ndinsider.com/football/roster/ .... Patrick I messed up the second part of your question. I think you'll see some rotation at linebacker, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some may have niche roles as well. Ultimately, you do want some separation.

Patrick Krueger

12:24

Two questions: First, where can I gat an accurate and uo-to-date roster of ALL Notre Dame players on the 2019 Team?(even official site doesn't list Kyle Hamilton or Harrison Leonard for example); Second, we've all heard of running back by committee, are we likely to experience Linebacker -by-committee this season? especially in the first couple games where 6-8, 9 or more guys are likely to see action. After that it becomes a lot more problematic with Georgia, UVA, USC and MIchigan looming....

Eric Hansen

12:21

Ryan, we've only seen the punt return gong show up until this point, with seven candidates there, led by incumbent Chris Finke. Typically, Brian Kelly likes one of the two deep men to be a good blocker, so Tony Jones Jr. is a strong candidate to fill that role. I think some of the players who will get a look at doing most of the actual returning are Michael Young, Braden Lenzy and Lawrence Keys III, but the initial list of players who will audition there is likely to be longer than that. ... I do think there will be some two-running back sets used this year, but not limited to Armstrong and Jones. It's an ideal fit for freshman Kyren Williams to be involved as well.

Ryan from Alliance Ohio

12:13

2 questions: 1. Who will be returning kickoffs? 2. Will we see some 2 RB sets utilizing both Armstrong and Jones? Thank you

Eric Hansen

Off we go ....

Practice No. 6, the first one back on the Notre Dame campus, unfolds tomorrow.

12:12

A full transcript will be available later on Friday afternoon.

We'll skip a review of the other rules, because I'm running a bit behind.

A reminder please include your name and hometown with your question.

12:11

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, the Back From Culver edition.