JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 27, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 27, 2023

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Eric Hansen

2:24

Thanks, Bob.

Bob (Oxnard Ca)

2:24

"View it through a kaleidoscope if you want" was the best line regarding ND since "Outlined against a gray October sky . . ." Do you guys agree?

Eric Hansen

2:20

Tom, do you realize how crazy that question would be just two years ago and is completely not crazy now? 1) Yes he can by rule. 2) It depends on who Tyler Buchner has become as well as how Angeli/Minchey?Carr develop with Carr still doing that at the high school level. 3) Would I be on it happening? I like what little money I have too much.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:17

Hi Eric, hope all is well in SB. OK, TB goes to Bama and things don't work out as he had hoped. He looks at ND's QB's for 2024 and decides he is better than anyone in the QB room and wants to return to ND. 1) Can he return and 2) Do you think Freeman would still think it a good idea for him to return? Thanks for all your info. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:17

Hi Stan. Notre Dame has not recruited AND developed QBs at a consistent or high level in some time. So, it had to come to this. But CJ Carr is the kind of prospect who can change that pattern. I think that's the goal. Marcus Freeman's philosophy is to build from high school recruiting and fill holes with the portal, and I think that's reasonable. I understand your take, and I think to much portal dependency wouldn't work at a place like Notre Dame for a number of reasons, including a much narrower field of players who can make it through admissions as a transfer. ... Wait, did you say pancakes?

Stan the Stancake man

2:13

Hello Eric. - Shared some "light and fluffies" with my family this past weekend and thought of you. Here's the deal, if ND keeps going to the portal in search of a quarterback, it seems to me the team will begin to lose trust among those already on board, including Lloyd's grandson, as well as potential future recruits. Wouldn't it make sense to recruit at a high level and develop those in house instead of looking for immediate answers in the portal. Reminds me of George Allen's mantra, "The future is now!" Don't you think that the fix would be temporary and the culture, which Coach Freeman so ardently strives to build would fall by the wayside?

Eric Hansen

2:13

I think Gerad Parker will keep a lot of what Tommy Rees was doing with the multiple tight ends, but just use it more sparingly, given the formational/personnel variety an improved and deeper wide receiver corps affords the play-caller. Raridon and Staes have worked so hard on their blocking any of the three could be the traditional inline tight end. I think Raridon, if his speed fully returns, is the top candidate to flex out. Don't forget Bauman in that mix and Davis Sherwood in his fullback-ish role. I think that's a lot of bodies for freshman Cooper Flanagan to jump over, probably too many to make a dent this year.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:08

Eric, I am really interested to see how the TE rotation works out this season. What "packages" and situations do you think will be best suited to Evans, Staes and Raridon? I'm guessing the freshman would not be ready to contribute. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:08

I believe I/we will have that chance. Just not sure how soon. The sports info staff and Marcus have been great about access. ,,, I think I mentioned this earlier, I'm not sure what the portal will look like a couple of years from now, but in the moment it feels like what my kids would have brought home from the grocery store had I ever left them alone for a weekend and put them in charge of things (which never happened, much to their chagrin).

Don in PHX

2:02

I thought the portal would ruin CFB. This is wild. I'm friends with a form Bama athlete. Cant wait to get his take on all this. Never thought an ND QB would go to Alabama and have a shot to start. Will you have an opportunity to talk to CMF?

Eric Hansen

2:02

Hehe. Only if we, ourselves, enter the transfer portal.

Don in PHX

2:01

Hey, what's new now that spring ball is over. Bet you and the gang will have some quiet time. :)

Eric Hansen

2:01

Thanks Fred for the compliments and your observations on CJ Carr ... and that's the first time I've heard the portal referenced as the potty, but I guess the experience ends up that way for some. ... Buchner's play in the Blue-Gold Game was surprising. He didn't play in it last season, but he did as a freshman in 2021 and looked pretty poised. Again, Buchner being in a red jersey, where being touched rules you down. doesn't play to his strengths or his instincts, but he decision-making was startling. The Buchner I had seen in previous practices didn't resemble the guy I saw last Saturday. Maybe not so much Hartman's presence as him putting pressure on himself.

Fred from Richmond

1:56

Eric, As always love your column and insights on Notre Dame Football. Watching the Blue Gold game it was evident that Buchner was outclassed by Hartman. I was really surprised how poor he threw the ball and his pocket presence was quite literally terrible. I know it’s a practice game but it felt like Hartman’s presence rattled him, what’s your thoughts on his play. One more thing to add watching Carr play at the elite 11 was scary good and I believe that it could have played into Buchner entering the potty

Eric Hansen

1:55

For now, I think ND needs to at least do its due diligence when it comes to a portal QB as a potential backup. Ideally, you'd be looking for a one-year rental. But they don't have to commit to that ... just look, see what's available and then weigh the costs and the benefits to the QB room. For 2024, no I would not go out and recruit another 2024 high school prospect. But I'd measure where Carr, Minchey and Angeli are in December and look in the portal then if it makes sense.

1:52

1Hi Marie. I'll go with the easy questions first. My pregame surprises were Gi'Bran Payne and Nolan Ziegler. Most postgame surprises from the Blue-Gold Game were Jaden Greathouse and Jaiden Ausberry. So, a good day to be a Jaden/Jaiden. I know some people in my business don't like to admit when they've been surprised, but I'll be honest, on a scale of 1 to 10 as you laid out, I was an 7.3 when it came to Buchner. ... As far as what I think ND should do? I think they can wait through the 2023 season to figure out what they're going to do for the 2024 season. They need to see how Angeli and Minchey develop as well as get a read on where CJ Carr is before he arrives next January. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

1:46

Hi Eric, I hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed covering the game. Which player on offense and which player on defense surprised you the most? On a scale of 1 to 10 how surprised where you that Buchner entered the transfer portal? How do you think ND will handle quarterback roster management moving forward? Will they look for a QB in the transfer portal right now to be a back up in 2023, will they go to the transfer portal in 2024 for a starter, or would they even consider taking two quarterbacks in the upcoming recruiting class just to add Depth? If they do end up going to the transfer portal for a back up in 2023 and/or a starter in 2024 how do you feel that affects QB room morale? As always thanks for your great insights and hosting the chats.

Eric Hansen

1:45

Well Ced, I think that's exactly what Marcus Freeman, Gerad Parker and Gino Guidugli must do, is get Angeli and Kenny Minchey ready. They also must consider whether bringing in another QB via the portal makes sense.

ced walker

1:44

ced walker saginaw michigan since buchner enter the portal let him stay in the portal lets get steve anglei ready for the backup at qb god bless the golden standard rally we are nd go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen

1:44

Jeremy, I realize you submitted your questions before the Buchner news broke, but the first part of it amused me (in a good way), so I wanted to address it. The "Do not contact" tag actually IS NOT for the media, though I don't know of anyone in the media Tyler really wanted to chat with in the last 48 hours. It was for schools not to contact him. Generally, when a player has that tag, they have narrowed their options and aren't interested in expanding them. Of course, they can later change their mind, but I haven't seen that happen.

Jeremy from Goshen

1:40

Hi Eric, I am looking for some clarification regarding Tyler Buchner, my favorite player to watch. Does the "Do not Contact tag apply to reporters only? Or does that tag apply also to more teams who might want to talk to him? If it's that latter, does that mean he already knows what teams he wants to consider? If you were playing the Vegas odds, what chances do you give him of returning to ND?

Eric Hansen

1:40

Jim. Wow. Thank you. ... To your question. Unfortunately for new NCAA president Charlie Baker, the old regime did or didn't do just enough (depending on the situation) to render the NCAA fairly toothless when it comes to enforcement (yeah, that is kind of an awkward metaphor). Baker has made a good early impression with his ideas and his connections with people who might be able to make a difference, which is Congress. That's where we are with this at this stage.

Jim, Oakwood, OH

1:28

Hi Eric, What a discouraging way to end the positive vibe from the BG game with the portal transfers of Buchner and Kollie after Styles decision on the eve of the game. Each was a surprise in light of the positive comments you and Tyler published from your chats with coaches regarding their Spring performances. Oy vey! The challenge for any coach to build roster depth these days never ends. Have you heard anything about whether or not the new NCAA President is preparing enforceable rules for NIL matters? I'd like to compliment you and Tyler for your extensive player in-depth articles these last 4-6 weeks. Great writing and depth! The stories of family support, the player's hard work throughout the years and their sacrifices really reflect well on them - team culture I guess - and show their strong character. Thanks to you and Tyler for telling us their stories. Be well.

Eric Hansen

1:27

Don't forget June-arriving freshman Jeremiah Love, too. That's five very good ones. Look running backs get banged up, so you can't leave yourself exposed. At the same time, it's unusual having this many really excited and ready backs all on the same depth chart. I think Estimé and Diggs get most of the carries. If Price is healthy, he's No. 3. I really like his future. I think Payne is No. 4 and Love comes in as kind of a Swiss Army knife who can give ND another wide receiver and can get involved in the return game potentially if they can't find enough carries for him this year.

Robb, Durango

1:23

Eric, How do the RB's split carries this fall? Seems like depth chart reads Estime, Diggs, Payne/Price. Who ends up #3 on the list?

Eric Hansen

1:23

Hi Bill. You can't ignore the drop in experience and the narrower skill set. Where Angeli MAY be better MAYBE is not being prone to the Pick-6 kind of mistakes.

Bill milford ct

1:21

Thanks Eric - if Hartman goes down - god forbid- I Angeli as prepared & as capable as Buchner was. Or will there be a big drop off

Eric Hansen

If he stays at Noter Dame, he has 0% chance of being No. 1.

1:20

Hey Jim. Best to you from semi-rural Indiana (there's a cornfield at the end of my street). To be fair, there wasn't much difference in how this was handled and how Hartman-to-ND was handled ... an many others. It's pretty typical for a player, especially a QB, to reach out to a school through third parties to gauge interest. So Hartman knew he was very interested in ND before he was in the portal, though there was no guarantee he was actually coming until he committed. Buchner surely knew Alabama's interest as well, but probably needed to see the campus and meet people in person before he was ready to fully commit. Given Nick Saban's hold over the Alabama program I can't imagine Rees told Buchner he was assured to be the starter, but he could honestly assess his chances based on three months on campus. Buchner still needs to learn the system over the summer and win the job in August. Here's how I would imagine TB looked at it: If he goes to Alabama he has a good chance to be No. 1. (more)

Jim Tal Valley Center, CA

1:12

Eric, best to you from rural California. Sorry you don't have very much to write about, yeah, right! Listen, give the speed with which everything went down, it's hard to believe that something wasn't in the works with Buchner prior to this week. If so, wouldn't this constitute some kind of tampering if communication was going on between Buchner and Alabama while spring practice was going on? I'm sorry but something about this whole set up doesn't feel right or totally on the up-and-up. And do you think Buchner was in any way assured by Rees and crew that he would probably be the starter this coming season? Thanks as always.

Eric Hansen

1:11

Tim, thanks for the assist in clarifying!

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

1:09

Regarding the Big Ten TV deal question as it relates to Notre Dame and NBC, this is from an article by ESPN's Adam Rittenberg from last August: "Bevacqua said NBC remained "in constant contact" with Notre Dame during negotiations about obtaining a Big Ten rights package. He added that NBC will continue to broadcast some Notre Dame night home games, which would replace the Big Ten prime-time game on those weeks" The full article is here: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/34417911/big-ten-comp...

Eric Hansen

1:08

Hi Matt. There's another question in the queue that's very similar to your observation. I did not notice it, but I wasn't watching him primarily on EVERY play. Sometimes I was watching the line/pass rush. Sometimes I was watching a wide receiver matchup. Maybe there was a play or two with his RPO where he was a bit more deliberate, but it was not to the point I witnessed when I watched Wake vs. Clemson and Wake in its bowl game last year. I do not think it's something ND would incorporate, at least not with any regularity. I don't remember being critical of his footwork. In fact, I was rather impressed about that part (and the rest) of his game. I do plan to rewatch the game next week, and I'll look for that and certainly ask Gerad Parker about it next time we get a chance if I do see it.

Matt J, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

1:01

Watching Sam Hartman play in the spring game, it looked there were a few plays where one of two things happened: 1)The ND offense is incorporating some slow mesh into what they do because SH is comfortable doing that, or 2) SH just got back on the field and instinct took over and he went back to that footwork? Based on the actual play calls, I thought it looked like the second one cause the slow mesh footwork/timing didn't really fit the play. Do you have any insight on if the slow mesh is something they're planning to incorporate? Or was this just SH falling back into the footwork he is used to and something he's going to have to continue training his body and his feet over the summer and in camp to get away from? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:00

Hey Mwgat. Welcome back. I haven't seen you on here since my SB Trib days. My pick for WR1 is junior Jayden Thomas, though I think Tobias Merriweather has that kind of potential.

Mwgat Muzaffar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysiia

12:59

Hi Eric, who will be our WR1 in Dublin?

Eric Hansen

12:58

No, I don't think it's the best thing for him or for Notre Dame, but I understand his decision. Hartman was going to get all the No. 1 reps he needed whether Buchner was here or not. I think they positive for this summer is that this is now his team and he can use his great leadership skills instead of holding them back a bit and trying to walk a fine line between newcomer and leader.

Jake Saratoga Springs

12:56

Would you agree that Buchner to transfer is actually a good thing for the upcoming year, Hartman getting all first team reps in practice

Eric Hansen

12:56

That doesn't mean all the players hitting the portal are losing out on some great life lessons. But I think some of them are. ... Your question, though, was about locker room cohesion, etc. I think over time if you live in the portal, if you don't recruit and develop most of your players, you risk losing your program's culture OVER TIME. But I think a certain amount of roster churn is healthy, particularly of a player already has his degree and has a chance to find playing time elsewhere.

12:53

Hi Jim, thanks for joining the chat with your question. A few thoughts come to mind. First, there may be self-correction to the heavy portal traffic after a couple of years. We really haven't gotten to measure the benefits and negative consequences other than anecdotally so far. From my own anecdotal rolodex, I could write a book about players who pushed through their early urges to transfer, stayed patient and were grateful later on they made that choice. Scads of them. I'm not sure I encountered any, certainly not man, players who regretted not transferring when they had the chance. (more)

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