JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 28, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 28, 2021

Eric Hansen

3:08

That's going to have to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. As I mentioned at the top of the chat, I'll be back next Wednesday at noon EDT to wrap up the draft and the Blue-Gold Game and take your questions.

3:07

Andy. thanks. Notre Dame isn't real eager to give the testing numbers away on a wholesale basis. Maybe the player or Kelly volunteer something here or there. I think why you don't hear about Balis as much anymore is that it's not a novelty. His high standards have become routine, so there's the expectation that's going to be a big part of player development every year now. I did something with him last May, though it was pretty COVID-specific. Once we get wider (and in-person) access, I'd like to revisit a story on that side of the program.

Andy - Lima, OH

3:03

Eric, really appreciate your great coverage of ND. You and the venerable, late Lou Somogyi have always been my favorite writers to follow. You both have always given fair, objective, and very informative analysis. My question: How are things going with Matt Balis and the strength program? Haven't heard much about him lately. I am interested in hearing where we are (overall team strength and conditioning level) compared to 2016. Obviously, strides have been made and the evidence is in our team's performance the last few years and in the number of draftees we will have this weekend. But I find it interesting and almost hard to believe that two freshmen OL can possibly start or at least play a lot for us on the offensive line. That and hearing about Lugg's problem with carrying too much bad weight last season concern me a little. Just wondering what you have been hearing about Balis lately. Why don't we ever hear about testing numbers in different lifts, 40 times, VJ, etc.? Thanks again!

Eric Hansen

3:02

Mike. I don't think what you posed is Kelly's reason for playing the EEs more. I think it's more about their overall development and investing in that early ... whether they play in 4, 0 or 13 games in 2021. ... I need to see a lot of Jack Coan before I'd make a bold prediction like that. ... And my a lot, I mean in August too.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

3:00

And good afternoon Eric, coach Kelly spoke about getting all EE's involved for a specific reason which I forget why except they are a big part of the team now and deserve not earn reps. Question is, is it even more important these days b/c of freshman can play 4 games and need to be prepared early more then ever to contribute? Yes/no? Also, saw clip of Coan and I am excited as I would call him greatly (is that a real word?) capable. Do you think he is going to have a super exciting season, I mean off the charts type season? I do. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:59

Thanks, Jim. I don't see why ND wouldn't do that.

Jim from St. Louis

2:59

Hi Eric, thank you for your coverage of ND sports. You truly are excellent at what you do. A little outside-the-box here but any chance we see substantial investment in Link Jarrett and the ND baseball team? Many within the industry think Jarrett has the ability to build a consistent national power at ND if given the opportunity.

Eric Hansen

2:59

I think Tyler Buchner has the chance to be a three-year starter.

Mark, Orange County CA

2:58

Hi Eric, Tony Dungy had said that he felt Ian Book could be successful in the NFL because he had escapability, poise and a decent arm, Will be interesting to see how his NFL career goes.Your thoughts on ND having another qb who plays for 3 seasons at ND

Eric Hansen

2:58

Alan. I think you'll see significant improvement and more production from Avery this season.

Alan from Whiteland, Indiana

2:57

Eric, I have a lot of respect for Avery Davis and his sticking with the Irish thru several position changes when it would have been very easy to transfer to a program that offered consistent playing time earlier in his career. As Notre Dame's most experienced returning wide receiver, what are realistic expectations for Davis this season? Thank you for answering my question.

Eric Hansen

2:57

When Junior Jabbie wins MVP of a Blue-Gold Game and people remember that more than a decade later, it goes to show how the spring game lends itself to surprises, not all of which are sustaining ones. I think the BGG is good for impressions, not good for conclusions.

Ken - Pensacola

2:55

Eric-It's always good to chat with you! Do you expect to see any surprises on either side of the ball in the 2021 Blue-/Gold Game and will the results be an "honest" indication of what we can expect for the upcoming season? Thanks mucho - GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:55

Two really good signs I saw/heard on our recent Zoom was the acknowledgement that ND had to get more dynamic, the lost of things he leaned as a first-year coordinator and the material he has to work with. If he can turn Jack Coan into a top 10 passer nationally, the rest will follow. .. to get back to the CFP, that's No. 1. WR development, better red zone production and better in-game adjustments also must happen.

TJ, Vero Beach FL

2:52

Hi Eric. Thanks for all the excellent sports coverage and analysis from you and your team! I enjoyed your article, Tommy Rees 2.0. What do you think needs to do to show that he has (or will) make that next level leap? Even if he can design the appropriate game plan, call the right plays, etc. can the offense be consistently good in all areas to execute the strategies successfully? What would have to happen (besides the stars aligning perfectly) for this year's team to surprise everyone and get back to the playoff?

Eric Hansen

2:52

The offense is more difficult to predict, so I'll start with defense: LB Jaylen Sneed and Niuafe Tuihalamaka ... and go out on a limb a bit with DT Anthony Lucas ... On offense TE Holden Staes, OL Billy Schrauth and I'll go out on a limb with WR C.J. Williams.

Denny from Liberty Hill

2:44

Hi Eric! Following recruiting this year is exciting. The Irish seem to be in on a lot of superb players. I remember losing out on so many in the past that it is hard to imagine pulling in the top prospects. This year feels a little different. Of course we will have disappointments but can you give your thoughts on three high profile recruits on offense as well as defense that are most likely to be Irish in the end. I hope Coach Free is a great closer for all the interest he is generating for the "D"!.

Eric Hansen

2:44

I've noticed that too. He's on my list to ask about Thursday, so stay tuned.

The Gipper, Omaha, NE/J

2:43

In all the coaches' comments so far on spring practice, there has been no mention of Xavier Watts, who was the No. 1 player out of Nebraska a year ago. What's the word as to when he will see the field this season? ND needs to get players like him that can stretch the field on the field as soon as possible.. With our WRs having so little experience, he should be right up there for paying time with his talent. What gives/

Eric Hansen

2:43

Erik, thank you. I assume you are faculty/staff, because only they, students and families of the players are being allowed in. Just wanted to warn you just in case. .., so three things ... Wide receiver play, quarterback play and cornerbacks.

Erik (Granger, IN)

2:41

Thanks for being here! I’m taking my son to the Blue and Gold game on Saturday. What three things (e.g. position battles, schemes, storylines) should we focus our attention on the most?

Eric Hansen

2:40

It was a knee injury. Kelly said the surgery went well.

Joe Asbury Pk Nj

2:39

Saw where Coach Kelly stated the frosh DL Schweitzer had surgery last week. Any idea on the nature of the injury ?

Eric Hansen

2:38

Tom, I don't see momentum for that other than for bowl games.

Tom

2:38

Tom from Yakima Washington. I would like to see names on the backs of the Irish jerseys. I think it was Lou Holtz that had them removed. I know there are more pressing items than this, but do you think there is any possibility of their return? Thanks for all you do for us fans!

Eric Hansen

2:38

Locked and loaded. Has had a great spring. I expect him to be a captain in the fall.

Dave from Livonia, Mi.

2:37

Hi Eric, I always look forward to these chats. I love your insight and the way we are kept up to date on the football team. My question is on Avery Davis. I know he's bounced around a little finding a position. How is the spring camp going for him? Is he locked in at wide receiver now?

Eric Hansen

2:37

I asked Brian Polian about that earlier this spring. Here's what he said: “There were some mechanical issues, something that he couldn’t quite get comfortable with, and then it became a confidence thing. ‘Hey, I’m going to be super careful here and instead of getting up there and swinging at the ball, I’m just going to try and ease it through the uprights.’

“It’s frustrating to him and it’s frustrating to me that I couldn’t help him more at the end of the year, because you think back to the (first) Clemson game and we don’t win that game without Jon Doerer.

“We know he can do it on the biggest stage, so we have to help him get back to making sure that we’re rock solid mechanically, so then the confidence comes with that.”

Mark Kruz from Mishawaka

2:32

Eric has there been any concern this spring about K Jonathan Doerer taking a step back last season compared to the nice season he had as a sophomore?

Eric Hansen

2:31

They can be at 87 this year because of the two COVID exemptions (Hinish and Doerer). They're at 88. Yes, they continue to monitor the transfer portal and grad transfer market. I'd add safety as a possible spot to add.

Chris, Louisville

2:30

Chris, Louisville,KY. Great chat as always Eric, with the departure of Kendall Abdur-Rahman, where does that leave Notre Dame with regards to the scholarship limit? Has there been any talk of looking at the transfer portal for a cornerback or defensive end?

Eric Hansen

2:29

My guess is that White, Liufau and Kiser will eventually be the starters, with Bauer, Simon and Pryor as rotation guys. Bertrand has had a good spring too and freshman Prince Kollie is intriguing. Paul Moala, when he recovers, is a wild card, so lots of capable players in the mix.

Matt in Augusta NJ

2:25

How do you see the linebacker depth chart this fall? Will guys like Bauer, Simon and Kiser play a bigger role in the new scheme. I see it as the deepest position on the team, lot of options. Also will Rover position change in the new scheme.

Eric Hansen

2:21

Ed, from Jack Coanland! I think by the time we get to August, Zeke Correll would be able to make the line calls as well as Patterson does, and so that really frees ND up top play him at tackle or guard. Why I like him at tackle is his athleticism, smarts, frame, footwork. But he could just as easily be an elite guard. If Correll were not on the roster, there's no way I'd move Patterson away from center.

Ed from Sayville Isle of Long

2:16

With a new starter at QB, how big a consideration is the value Jarrett Patterson can bring with line calls etc, vs. what his overall abilities could bring at one of the tackle positions? In short, can the success he has had at the position be of greater importance to a line breaking in several new starters? Thank you Eric and thank you for leading these chats.

Eric Hansen

2:16

Caleb, thanks and same to you and yours. Yes I do think the CFP will expand in the next five years. The Athletic had a story on that today, about momentum for more then eight teams. The CFP is studying 6-, 8-, 10-, 12- and 16-team models. I do think it should expand. To how many teams, I haven't given it much thought. Off the top of my head, I kind of like 12, with byes for the top four.

Caleb from Charlotte

2:09

Hi, I hope that you and your family are doing well. Do you think the college football playoff will expand in the next 5 years from the current 4 teams? Do you think it should expand? If so, how many teams?

Eric Hansen

2:09

Jason, thanks. I don't think it will be entirely new, but I think different aspects will be emphasized and I do think it will be more dynamic. Before I get too far ahead of myself, I'd like to see Jack Coan and the receivers in person. But Tommy Rees and Brian Kelly being committed to new ideas and concepts is very encouraging. Now it's about implementing and executing them.

Jason from Mattawan, MI

Do you think we will see an entirely new offense that will make us look twice come next August?

2:06

Thank you for being so accessable to the fans and display such skill in what you do.

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