JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 17, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 17, 2024

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Eric Hansen

1:37

hi Bob. I think Eric Goins will get a shot first, and I wouldn't be surprised if Notre Dame gets someone else out of the portal who wants to play on a team that will contend for a playoff spot.

Bob (Oxnard, CA)

1:36

Will walk-on nation rise again with Chris Salerno filling in for our departed starting punter?

Eric Hansen

1:36

Ho Roger. There have always been different levels of probation, depending on past offenses and how serious the current ones were -- and whether the school cooperated. There are still different levels, and nothing as serious as a postseason ban for Michigan. We're in a different era of NCAA enforcement. I mentioned this analogy the other day on the podcast. It's kind of like you have a 20-year-old son, who has a job, his own apartment and pays all his own bills -- and you want to impose a curfew on him. So there's not a lot of teeth to these punishments.

Roger in Saint Louis

1:33

What does a finding of probation mean for Michigan? Is it nothing more than the fines and recruiting restrictions that are described in addition to probation? Didn't probation used to mean that you were not eligible for post season bowl and championships?

Eric Hansen

1:32

Here is the link to our depth chart projections, which we updated after Saturday's scrimmage and after Bryce McFerson hit the portal Tuesday. We'll update it again after the Blue-Gold Game. Vernon is running No. 3 at the defensive tackle position, behind Rylie Mills and Jason Onye. That's a good place to be in April. There are six players, including Tyson Ford and injured Armel Mukam, at the position. There are five at nose guard, including Gabe Rubio, who is expected to be back on the roster in June. Some players, like Donovan Hinish and Onye are adept at both spots. Lots of options there.

1:27

Thanks J. I assume your are speaking of Anthony Rezac, the NEBRASKA Gatorade Player of the Year, who will join his twin -- scholarship freshman linebacker Teddy -- on the roster this summer. I believe he'll stay at QB and probably be a big help with the scout team. Someone may indeed bail after spring, but it won't be because of Rezac. Ideally, the better time to bolt -- with more jobs open and a chance to learn a new offense in the spring — would have been the last portal window, in December. If I were advising Angeli, I'd stick around in 2024. If things didn't look promising toward winning the job in 2025, then I'd take a look at my options in December. (more)

J Buckley San Diego

1:22

Love the coverage, can't get enough, now that's enough small talk. LOL, Now, what is the QB room going to look like, with the Gatorade Player of the Year, walking on and joining the QB fray. I know he may not have been playing against top talent but he seems pretty big and accurate or will he be looking at changing positions? Then you have Duece coming in next year, its getting crowded in that room. I'm sure someone is going to bolt after the Spring game but who? Also, interior DL need an update, especially on the one time 5 star Brenan Vernon, what's the depth looking like. THANKS THANKS and ohh yaa THANKS GO IRISH!!!!

Eric Hansen

And Cam Williams, by the way, looked very good in last Saturday's scrimmage.

1:20

Hi Jules. Good day to you, too, and thanks. It's a little tough to predict, because Beax Collins and Logan Saldate don't arrive until June and there are some players, like Cam Williams, who are suddenly surging late in spring. But I feel pretty good about Faison, Greathouse, Thomas, Gilbert, Mitchell and Collins. And I'll throw KK Smith in there as a seventh. Lots of competition still to come.

Jules, Joliet, ill

1:17

Good day Sir. From the spring practice reports it seems that the WR position is both talented and deep. Coach Brown has stated that he wants a 6 or 7 player rotation. Based on your observations, who would you predict will fill those slots?
Thanks for all of your great work.

Eric Hansen

1:17

I can tell you how the series were divided. I did not count snaps. So Steve Angeli got four offensive series. Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr each got three. My guess is Angeli and Minchey will be on different teams against each other and CJ may play for both teams, including some n the second half when the deeper reserves take over.

OK, on to Patrick ...

1:15

Going back to Mark's question for a minute ... I got an answer they ARE NOT allowed to film the summer players-only practices and have the coaches see those tapes.

Patrick, Fort Wayne, IN

1:14

Good afternoon Eric, after viewing the Saturday scrimmage, can you tell us how the QB snaps were divided in a rough percentage? Do you anticipate the same allotment for the Blue and Gold game?

Eric Hansen

1:12

Hi Tom, and thank you. Micah Bell and Chance Tucker were the cornerbacks on the field with the No. 2 defense in Saturday's close scrimmage, with Luke Talich and Kennedy Urlacher as the safeties, and they played pretty well as a group. Bell's best asset is his speed. His biggest weakness at this point is being 177 pounds. That will change over time. He's also training at nickel. He looks a lot more comfortable in his coverages. I like where he's headed. ... As far as the chats, we'll definitely do one next week to wrap up the spring and another after the NFL Draft on Wednesday , May 1. And then we'll see. Probably every other week at that point makes more sense. There will still be portal stuff going on ... and in June lots of recruiting official visits. As long as there's demand, I'll make time for it.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:07

Hi Eric. When Micah Bell was recruited it seemed that his speed was his best trait and if I remember correctly there was even some debate if he would be on offense or defense. What do you see as his role on this year's team? In your sage wisdom, what are his strengths and weaknesses? Thanks for these chats. Now that Spring ball is coming to a close, what are thinking regarding continuing these Chats? Maybe every other week?? Thanks. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

As far as total defense, ND was in the top 5 for the first time in four decades. I'm going to say they'll finish third this year.

1:06

Mark, it took me a second to get the Mars pun, and I love it. I hope Ryan does too. Because it was so well done, kick your shoes off and feel free to violate the other rules as well. I want to double check on the filmed practices question. I believe that used to be legal and still is, but will double back on this one. To your rankings question, Notre Dame was 29th in total offense and 5th in total defense in 2023. The best ND has ranked in total offense since 2010 is 26th in 2020. Tempo does affect those rankings, and I don't expect ND to be on the high end of plays per game, but I think this will be a top 25 offense ... 25th, but more importantly not dip wildly against the better defensive teams. (more)

Mark: Golden Valley, MN.

12:59

Eric: Not sure that the format submission won’t pull a hat rick on me, but I will try anyway. First question I’ve been wanting to ask is whether you think fellow ND fan Ryan from Mars, PA comes in peace? Second question I have is during the summer months when the players initiate their own practices, are they allowed to tape those for the coaches to review? Finally, if you had to make a prediction by the end of our 2024 season what national ranking will our offense have and our defense? I always look forward to reading these chats every Wednesday night. Go Irish!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

12:59

Hi Ryan. I got to see everyone this past Saturday in the closed scrimmage (but open to the media), but given this Saturday's format, I'm most eager to see the wide receivers and all three of the QBs who don't have ankle braces on.

Ryan Mars Pa

12:57

Good afternoon Eric with the blue and gold coming up on Saturday who are your players to watch i want to see CJ Carr Jordan Clark and Chris Terek on Saturday GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

12:56

Hi Jack. Hope I run into you in the parking lot. We will get the full lowdown on format and which players get drafted on to which teams Thursday morning. But what I can tell you is it will be a traditional game with traditional scoring with some modifications (kickoffs, etc.). I would expect a running clock in the second half, but I haven't confirmed that. It's going to be oddly chilly on Saturday, so you may want to have a warm jacket, "antifreeze" in a flask, or both.

Jack, Strongsville Ohio

12:52

Hi Eric. Attending the Blue Gold game Saturday in chilly South Bend. What is the format for the game? Running clock in second half? Thanks for all your fine work.

Eric Hansen

12:51

Love the exclamation points, Mike!!!!! And back at you. I think it's Micah Gilbert continually surging. His name gets brought up routinely by players on both sides of the ball. Colzie has a dislocated finger that caused him to miss some practices. He's looked good in the practices I've seen, but the competition at that boundary spot is going to be fierce, especially when Jayden Thomas is fully healthy and Beaux Collins joins the roster in June.

Mike from Rochester NY

12:46

Hi, Eric, Happy Spring!!!!!! I noticed Micah Gilbert has moved ahead of Deion Colzie in the two deep you and Tyler published. I was hoping a healthy Colzie would break out this year - it looked he was going to last year until he got hurt - and give the team another experienced WR to rely on. Is this matter of Gilbert really surprising everyone, Colzie not progressing as expected, or a little of both?

Eric Hansen

If ne doesn't overtake someone.

12:46

Lorne, I'll make you a deal. If you can prove your really are from Reno and not doing a spoof on the Bonanza TV show, no more Kiser puns. And it could have been worse ... Kiser is a roll? McFerson's decision to transfer surprised me ... I'm not sure it did the coaching staff. ... I would say there's a competition between Mickey and Gray to play opposite Ben Morrison. It just isn't playing out now because of Morrison's injury. I think we'll see that in training camp, the competition, and Gray will probably win it. I think Mickey is extremely valuable and much improved, and Lord knows he's been through a lot and persevered. The question is who will be the fourth corner he rotates in late, in case of injury, etc. Right now I'd say Micah Bell. You mention the depth chart we have on your site. It's not always linear at certain positions, which is hard to show. Right now, for instance, I think Rocco Spindler is the third offensive guard and would come in at either position if needed ... (more)

Lorne

12:37

Lorne from Reno. 1. I respectfully request that you never again use the phrase "Kiser on a roll." 2. Bryce McFerson? (I'm sure you'll get a lot of that one) 3. Loved Tyler's article on Christian Gray, which brings me to my question: while Jaden Mickey improved a lot between his first and second year, I just don't think he is in the same class as Gray; do you think that Mickey will start at Field while Gray backs up Morrison (what your depth chart says) or will Gray move over to Field to get the two best corners on the field? Is Gray's speed an issue at Field? With people throwing away from Morrison, I think Gray could have a monster year on the other side.

Eric Hansen

12:33

Tyson Ford has been a bit of a puzzle to a lot of us. Great attitude, hard worker. He's had some minor injury issues here and there, but nothing overwhelming. I'm not sure bouncing back and forth inside and out for two seasons worked in his favor. Sometimes it can. In his case, it did not. He's also competing inside with a very deep group of interior D-Linemen.

Brian, South Bend

12:31

Tyson Ford, according to Coach Freeman “He’s taking some personal time off, just to figure out what he wants to do". This is hard not to read into that he's more likely than not going to enter the Transfer Portal. If he does enter the portal, what was missing for him receiving playing time? Was it his pace of development, or more of the other players on roster rising faster than he did on the D Line?

Eric Hansen

12:31

TE Eli Raridon is no longer on a pitch count and has been participating fully in the past couple of weeks. I like the tight end group. Cooper Flanagan, who I wrote about recently, has been very good this spring. Mitch Evans has been progressing nicely, but those ACL recovery timelines can be unpredictable, and ND has two players dealing with that at this position in Evans and Kevin Bauman.

12:28

Hi Michael. I grouped your questions together, so I don't lose track of the second one. Let's start with No. 1. They've already added at safety. Rod Heard II enrolls in June. And they've got numbers and quality beyond him, particularly in surging sophomores Adon Shuler and Luke Talich. We've done feature stories on both recently. So no more safeties. Offensive tackle is a maybe. If there's someone in the portal who could beat out the right tackle candidates, ND may be interested. I don't think they will end up doing it, though. (more)

Michael in San Antonio

Do you think Notre Dame will be active in the transfer portal to add some depth to the O-line or Safety position?

12:26

Has the coaching staff loosened the reins on Eli Riordan somewhat as spring practice progressed, or do they still have him on a "pitch" count? What are your thoughts on the TE group as a whole?

Eric Hansen

12:25

I think I am not clear on the second question either, so I'll do my best. That ND brought in a transfer kicker in Mitch Jeter did not affect punter Bryce McFerson. They do have a transfer in 30-year-old Eric Goins, who hasn't played football in almost a decade but has worked at both positions. There is always going to be competition wherever you go. Notre Dame feels it brings out the best in those who don't shy away from it. As far as Loren Landow. Injury prevention, recovery, injury mitigation is a big part of his approach as it is with John Wagle, part of the sports performance team. But football is a violent, demanding game. You're never going to go injury-free for a whole season. Ever.

12:21

Hi Len. Hopefully, that nice New Jersey weather puts you in a good mood. Raining here but warm in SB. ... I think the reason Clarence Lewis left to go to Syracuse is that his perception is that Ryan Clark, the grad transfer from Arizona State, is better at nickel and that he was essentially an insurance policy at cornerback. He wants to have a chance to start. Going from the No. 1 pass-efficiency defense to the No. 78 team may afford him that opportunity. Maybe I am misunderstanding the intent of your question. Len. Notre Dame lost three starters from last year's secondary and some other experienced players beyond Cam Hart, Thomas Harper, DJ Brown ... and Lewis. This is a defense that was overall in the top five with a chance to be better this year. Why wouldn't you want the best players and adequate depth to reach that goal? (more)

Len from the Jersey Shore

12:11

Hi Eric! It's 70 in Jersey today. Hope you are having some nice weather and no tornadoes. Explain to me again why, if the ND secondary was expected to be high end, that ND needed two Db's in the transfer portal. It's the second largest positional group taken in the portal next to WR's, who obviously loss several people thru transfers. Hope they both are better than the guy who left to play at Syracuse. Second, did McFerson leave since ND has shown the tendency to take kickers in the transfer portal? Three, will Loren Landow tutelage help to reduce injuries? Last year we lost numbers at WR, a thin depth group, to hamstrings. I was hoping since Balis left and now that Landow is here, that he would help to prevent them. However the team has at least one hamstring injury so far. I know coach Landow was known for building strength and lean muscle, and helping players to add weight if needed. But how is his injury record where he has worked?

Eric Hansen

Off we go.

12:10

Here are the rules ... not bending on them this week.

12:09