JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 20, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 20, 2023

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Joey G. Philadelphia, Pa

1:01

Hi Eric, It seems like once again the Irish reporters are trying to stir up a debate as too who the starting QB will be in 2023. I'm not buying into that debate. If Marcus Freeman had so much faith in Buchner why did he go into the portal for an experienced QB like Hartman? Hartman ranks 16th & 18th All Time in passing yards & TD's. On the other hand Buchner has showed nothing so far in his career to think he could lead us to a CFP. In Buchner's only win of his career. He still managed to throw 3 Int's & 2 Pick 6's.That bowl win I believe convinced Freeman that he couldn't make the playoff with Buchner playing that way. Las Vegas has Hartman as the 6th ranked favorite to win the Heisman. That's all you need to know as to who will be the starting QB in 2023! Who do you see as the starting QB for ND in 2023?

Eric Hansen

1:00

Keep in mind a lot of other schools have already head their spring games. The NCAA said it switched the dates to give the players more time to find homes and get enrolled in summer-term classes. I still think this is workable, considering a lot of moving parts were settled just before the start of spring. If ND is willing to let spring break interrupt spring practice (and it's been done) than an earlier date for the Blue-Gold Game could be considered in 2024. I think how things go this spring should help inform that consideration.

12:56

Thanks for your email by the way ... here are a few points regarding today's question.
The NCAA actually switched the dates a few months ago but didn't publicize it. I would imagine most schools knew, but some might not have and the media certainly didn't know. ... Even then, Notre Dame didn't have a lot of wiggle room with its spring football dates and the Blue-Gold Game date. That's because of the late coaching movement (Rees to Alabama, Hiestand retiring, Mason to the Colts). So spring practice was pretty compressed into a small window. (more)

Jeff from Phoenix

12:45

Good morning Eric. The spring dates for the transfer portal seemed confusing to me and potentially awkward for managing the ND football roster. When exactly did the NCAA change the dates from May 1-15 to April 15-30? Did this catch ND off guard since their spring practice/Blue-Gold game finishes 4/22 which is now right in the middle of the window. Finally, do you think ND will adjust the B/G game date in 2024 to coincide with the start of the portal opening (assuming the NCAA doesn’t change the dates again)? Thanks much-

Eric Hansen

12:45

Doug, I trump your sunniness today (but not Saturday unfortunately.) I asked specifically about his availability to move to safety, and defensive coordinator Al Golden specified corner. And he's almost giddy about it. What it does is open up the possibility of Ryan Barnes or someone else to audition at safety. Barnes took some reps there this spring. Clarence Lewis did not. There's a need for an older safety (portal) to join the rotation at the top of the depth chart and perhaps a converted corner to become part of the future of that senior-heavy group.

Doug from Sunny Florida

12:42

Eric, with the imminent move for L. Styles to cornerback, have you heard of any talk of him getting a look at Safety? With the numbers crunch there and more bodies already available at CB, seems like a possibility unless his skill set it geared more towards CB.

Eric Hansen

12:41

The list continues to expand .. already 11 2024 targets and some big names. ... seven 2025 targets, four 2026 prospects and a bunch of the committed 2024 recruits, including CJ Carr and Cam Williams, to help recruit the others. .. there are three other 2024s and two from the 2025 class who will be starting their visits on Friday.

Curt Warsaw In

12:39

Eric, it seems like the recruiting front has been kinda quiet. Do you expect a up tick after the Blue Gold game?

Eric Hansen

12:36

Hey Jeremy. We're trying to get Diet Coke as a sponsor. Is it working? I think maybe what you're experiencing is a bit of a mirage. Among the players who helped drive ND's early high ranking in the 2023 cycle were DE Keon Keeley and S Peyton Bowen, who's profile continued to build throughout the cycle, but who ultimately went elsewhere. You also had the buzz going about Dante Moore ending up at ND, but he didn't. I think had Justin Scott (five-star DT) already committed, it would feel different. He is still expected to end up at ND. I think you'll start to see the momentum shift in June toward ND when they host official visits. Keep in mind 2024 QB CJ Carr has already in the class for almost a year and WR Cam Williams already in the class and a five-star on some of the other services (high four-star for Rivals).

Jeremy from Goshen

12:27

Glad to see this chat is calorie free. Does this mean anything I eat during this chat won't go straight to my waistline? Now to me real question, It seemed like last year there was a lot of hype around recruiting and ND was in on some big name players. This year, overall it feels the opposite, Is this a result of going 8-4/losing to Marshall/newness of Freeman wearing ooff or more of ND's staff settling more for players that they believe they have a chance with, a la Brian Kelly's philosophy?

Eric Hansen

12:26

I think that's an interesting option and it depends on two things: How fast Styles can impact the position and what the health of the rest of the position group looks like. If everyone's healthy, then Cam Hart and Ben Morrison are your starters with Harper/Lewis as the top options at nickel and then some nice depth with Styles, Mickey, Gray as the top reserves. That's a strong and deep CB corps -- elite. Now here comes the ifs -- If Hart's shoulder doesn't hold up, Styles has a chance to compete to be a starter. If he proves he has skills to cover the slot (he has the speed), then he could win that job. So I think it's less likely he'd redshirt, given my sense of how quickly he'll adapt. Then he'll be a starter in 2024 either outside or at nickel.

Matt from DC

12:20

Do you see any chance that this becomes a redshirt year for Lorenzo Styles to learn the CB position and then give himself 2 years to prove he has what it takes to make it in the NFL? Or is it more likely that he gets thrown into the fire this year and just has 1 more year of eligibility?

Eric Hansen

12:20

Frank, the transfer portal reopened on April 15 and closes at the end of the day on April 30. That's the deadline to get your name in. You don't need to pick a school in that window. Notre Dame, I know, is monitoring the safeties and may have already made contact with some. But they're not going to push for them, schedule visits etc., until after the Blue-Gold Game. And remember when you're doing your own safety shopping, grad transfers and freshmen are the easiest to get through admissions.

Frank from Royse City, Texas

12:17

Eric, there are some good safeties in the portal, especially one from Boston College, why doesn’t ND start making a move on getting a safety?

Eric Hansen

12:17

Some things I'll be keeping an eye on in the Blue-Gold Game are:
The chemistry and timing between Sam Hartman/Tyler Buchner and the receivers, and individual tackling and overall play of individuals in the defensive front seven. I'm not sure there's something that's going to move me off the impressions I've already gathered this spring ... it will likely need to wait until fall.

12:13

Hi Marie. Great week here. Thanks for asking. Assuming Lorenzo Styles stays at cornerback — and my sense is he will — Notre Dame will still have nine scholarship wide receivers when the younger Kaleb Smith arrives in June. Given the significant progress the three early enrolled freshmen have made, the huge leaps by guys like Tobias Merriweather and Deion Colzie and Chris Tyree recently killing it at slot receiver, I think Notre Dame would not see that as an urgent add. It would also be a tough sell for playing time. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:08

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. I’m sure you’re looking forward to the game Saturday. With it looking like Styles may move to cornerback and with Smith no longer in the program do you think ND should/will pursue a wide receiver in the transfer portal? Also, I know not much can be drawn from spring games, but what couple of things will you be focusing on the most when you watch the game this weekend? What could you see that would make you feel more positive about the fall and what could you see that would make you feel more negative about the fall? As always thanks for hosting the chat.

Eric Hansen

OK, let's get started.

12:05

Because we're expecting a high temp of 83 degrees this afternoon in South Bend, the 'no bare feet' and 'no drinking' rules have been rescinded for today.