JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 24, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 24, 2024

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Eric Hansen

12:54

The defensive front seven and all of its many looks and pressures tested the O-line relentlessly -- much more than it did in the Blue-Gold game, where it was essentially defanged largely. I haven't isolated on Rocco Spindler enough yet to answer your last one, but what I can say is many of our readers agree with that observation AND more importantly, there's an expectation this summer and into camp, when he's fully healthy, that he will have a good chance to win a starting job. I think the two projected starters who helped themselves the most this spring were C Ashton Craig and Right Guard Billy Schrauth.

12:50

Hi Kagan, thanks for taking the plunge with your first questions. I hope I can match the quality with my answers. I'm not sure I'd use the term liability at this juncture with the offensive line as much as I'd say it's ND's biggest unknown four months from the start of the season as well as its biggest project. If you have time, I'd really recommend you listening to this week's podcast with former Irish offensive lineman Bob Morton as our guest. He really breaks down the nuances of what has happened and what needs to happen and how Mike Denbrock's hiring as OC is part of the solution. (more)

Kagan From Angola IN

12:45

Happy Wednesday to you Eric, long time reader first time poster, I just wanted to get your thoughts; after the scrimmage two Saturdays ago and the Blue and Gold game last Saturday, do you think our O-line is as much of a liability as some are saying? Or was it more a product of getting split up and maybe some chemistry issues? Also I think our defensive line is really deep and talented and that should allow the old coaching adage iron sharpens iron. Finally, coming out of the spring did any of the lineman help their cause? I thought Rocco played pretty well in the blue and gold game. Thank you for doing these they make for a really interesting read and insights!

Eric Hansen

12:45

Hi The Beave. I will try to streamline my answer. This is a defense with star power and depth at every position group. This is as deep and athletic as I've seen ND's linebackers in a long, long time. They've gotten some spring surprises of the pleasant variety in guys like Adon Shuler, Luke Talich, Boubacar Traore, Jaiden Ausberry, even a down-the-depth chart guy in freshman Sean Sevillano Jr. really surging in the spring. BARRING injury, where are the holes? Where the Irish had room for improvement as a defense off the first one to finish in the top five nationally in four decades was consistent run defense against good running teams. Clemson and Louisville both had their way. I think this year's personnel will handle that aspect of the defense better.

The Beave. Grand Rapids MI

12:35

Reading last week’s chat after-the fact, I was pleasantly surprised to see you predict the 2024 ND Defense as a “top 3” in college football in a passing reference in an answer. For someone not prone to hyperbole and measured in response, this is enormously high praise. (The term I recall from Journalism 101 is “Burying the Lead”). Can you expound on what gives rise to that prediction and which level of the D you believe to be the strength? Is it something we haven’t seen yet like the grad transfer at safety combining with X Watts? The emerging stars at Linebacker? Or the D line depth? Looking forward to the possibilities if this plays out and ND Nation hopes you’re right.

Eric Hansen

12:35

Thanks, Len!

Len from the Jersey Shore

12:35

Eric, that was an amazing answer. To the point and concise but full of the most pertinent information Thanks!!!!!

Eric Hansen

12:35

Let me do these two together since they're related ... Not shocked at all a cornerback left, given that ND is trying to add one from the portal (Rice's Tre'shon Devones), but I would not have guessed Bell would be the one. Where we are with college football, with unlimited transfers and no waiting, it's hard to sell patience. And if Devones eventually picks ND, Bell would not have been in the top four this season as a sophomore. For Matt, young players with potential are going to leave programs. It's just where we are. ND tries to minimize that on its roster through its recruiting approach and being transparent with its players and having constant discussions about where they stands. I think that's all you can ask from the coaching staff.

John Elkhorn, Ne.

12:31

Het Eric - interested for your take on the Micah Bell transfer. From what I’ve read it seemed like he was on the rise and highly regarded. Thanks!

Matt, Salem, OR

12:31

I was shocked by Micah Bell in portal. Thought he had a path in time, maybe older players would enter. Was it a surprise to you? I worry about young players with potential leaving.

Eric Hansen

12:29

Hi Bob. He worked at both sides during spring. If ND doesn't add a tackle from the portal, I still think he competes to be the starting RT (a competition I think he will eventually win) and then Tosh Baker becomes the primary backup on both sides, with Sullivan Absher the fourth option.

Bob (Oxnard, CA)

12:28

At the start of fall camp, do you think Amil Wagner will get some reps with the 1s at LT? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

12:28

Hi Ryan, if complemented very well what the media saw in a scrimmage closed to the public the previous Saturday, where the conditions were more similar to what we'd see in a game in the fall. And that is, Carr is impressive. Very impressive in the progress he's made so far since arriving. Very poised. Uses his feet well to extend plays and keep his eyes down the field. Very accurate in his throws. A lot to like.

Ryan Mars Pa

12:25

Good afternoon Eric What do You Think of about Play of CJ Carr in the blue gold game i liked the way he played GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

12:25

Jack Lange, a four star offensive tackle from Eureka, Mo., will soon announce his college decision, and Tyler James among others are predicting a commitment to Missouri.

Chuck F, westfield in.

12:22

Hi Eric, is ND still recruiting Jack Lange? Is he going to be visiting campus? Heard his dad was a big fan, thanks for all the time you share with us bringing the latest and best ND news, chuck

Eric Hansen

12:22

Tyson Ford and his mom this past weekend.

12:21

Once healthy, he has the talent to climb the depth chart, but man he's got competition. RJ Oben, Josh Burnham and freshman prodigy Bryce Young are all ahead of him now. So I an neither minimizing his potential or the crowded path to reach it.

12:19

Hi Jules. Thanks for being a part of the chats. Tyson Ford is still pondering his future. He missed the last week or so of spring practice to do so. His mom did post some pics of herself with him at ND on Blue-Gold Game weekend with Tyson decked out in ND gear. So we'll see what he does here in the next six days while the portal is still open. ... Aiden Gobaira is a really talented defensive end with a nice burst and a relentless motor. He was undersized when he got to ND then missed all of last season because of a torn ACL sustained in August. (more)

Jules, Joliet, Ill

12:15

Good day, sir. What is the latest on Tyson Ford’s situation? Also, how is Aiden Gobeira progressing from his injury?
When healthy where does he project on the depth chart? Thanks for conducting these chats.

Eric Hansen

12:14

At cornerback, it's hard to take Ben Morrison off the field. ND feels very good about Christian Gray and Jaden Mickey ... and if they bring in a transfer for No. 4, I think you may see a little more rotation this year. Certainly both Mickey and Gray will play a lot beyond Morrison. As to the CBs leaving, I don't consider it serious. When you are over the 85-man scholarship limit, someone has to leave to make the math work. More players will leave in the coming days/weeks. Some will be added. This is college football in 2024.

12:11

The rotations are less common at the linebacker and defensive back positions universally in that teams will use extra linebackers or extra DBs in certain packages or in niche roles. Notre Dame does that too, but this year the glut of athleticism in the linebacker corps and so many camera-ready young LBs gives ND the option to rotate at that position group more as well as fill niche and package roles. At safety, talent/experience generally dictates how much rotation ND plays beyond the starters and package players. In 2022, there was more rotation than in 2023. In 2024, young players like Adon Shuler and Luke Talich make a deeper rotation attractive. (more)

12:07

Hi Len. Notre Dame rotations will evolve season to season based on a number of factors. The position group where it's most common beyond ND is defensive line. The rationale there is you can wear down opposing offensive lines by rotating in fresh bodies. The key is having minimal dropoff when the 2s come in or even the 3s. Notre Dame is well-positioned here in 2024. (more)

Len from the Jersey Shore

12:03

Hello Eric! The roster continues to turn. The D line rotates players. The LB corps also rotates players. How often does ND rotate its corners? Or safeties for that matter? In the rotational order would D line be the most, followed by LB's and then DB's? Is that because of the implication of missed assignments? Tell us what you can about defensive player rotation as an additional way for us to understand the seriousness of two CB's leaving the program..

Eric Hansen

Off we go ...

Here are the rules:

12:03

Please include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question(s).

As far as this week's chat ...

► Finally, we’re spinning forward into the offseason for Notre Dame and into a big week for former Irish players in the NFL Draft at WSBT radio. And Darin Pritchett and I are together this week on Wednesday and Thursday on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. You can download episodes as podcasts.

► Tyler James and I are back in weekly podcast mode. On our most recent Inside ND Sports Podcast, Bob Morton, a former Notre Dame offensive lineman from 2002-06 and a director of regional development for the university, Tyler James and me. Morton discussed his biggest takeaways from the Blue-Gold Game, his thoughts on the offensive line, how the offensive tackles can improve, who he likes on the Irish line, how good freshman quarterback CJ Carr looks, his expectations for QB Riley Leonard, the impact of a new football facility and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.

12:02

► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, it keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation. We’re back in our normal Monday at 7 ET time slot and will continue on after spring football ends. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. Also if you missed our Postgame Takeaways show Saturday evening after the Blue-Gold Game, you can catch up here.

Some quick programming notes:

12:01

We will be chatting next week after the NFL Draft has concluded and the spring transfer portal window closes.

12:00

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, post Blue-Gold Game edition.

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