JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 6, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 6, 2022

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Eric Hansen

3:02

OK, I have a hard out, because I have a press conference coming up soon I need to prep for. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.

3:01

Hi Bill. I think he needs to be able to do both. That's what Deland McCullough is requiring from all of his backs. And that's smart. It helps you set up plays for later in the game.

Bill, originally from Asbury Park

3:00

First a comment about scheduling Tenn State…I have zero problem with it. Folks should simply look at other perennial top teams that play FCS level programs. Now my question is do you believe that Chris Tyree is best used in space as opposed to get the tougher yardage between the tackles?

Eric Hansen

3:00

I think he has an awareness of it yes, But there are no duties and responsbilities that are coupled with the recruiting now. And he's in the process of figuring out how best to manage that. And yes, some of it is trial and error.

Doug from Sunny Florida

2:59

Eric, it's well documented how much time Coach Freeman is spending on recruiting. Do you get a sense that the time he spends recruiting is coming at a cost of time being spent in other facets of his position? Would he even know that at this point in time since it's new to him?

Eric Hansen

2:58

Hi Joe. Thanks. Doing great here. There are NO guarantees in recruiting. However, our Kyle Kelly did a really cool story with linebacker commit Drayk Bowen, who spent the day with Keeley during his most recent trip to Notre Dame. Some great insights here.

JoeP from LA

2:56

Hello Eric. Hope you're staying safe and healthy. Thanks as always for the great work on the ND beat, no matter where you call your work home. To my question. Obviously, the Dante Moore story has dominated Irish recruiting news of late. However, I'm curious about a couple of other recruits. I'm hearing a lot of conflicting feedback regarding the verbal commitments of Keon Keeley and Peyton Bowen. I know they're taking other visits, primarily with the big boys in college football. That is obviously not good news for the Irish. Do you have any intel on how solid their commitments to ND really are and the likelihood of ND losing one or both, at the end of the day?

Eric Hansen

2:56

Bill thanks for the feedback ... and I might be older than you think. I have a grandson who's old enough to correct my typos.

Bill, originally from Asbury Park

2:55

Eric, Loved the Pot of Gold with Vinny Cerratto! Knew he was a tremendous recruiting coordinator but didn’t know how good he really was…and a impressive answer on your part to his question…the Brooks brothers, which I think was before your time with the SB Tribune, which simply makes it more impressive!

Eric Hansen

2:54

Tony, you've certainly been helpful in asking the questions and guiding me to how you want me to answer them. ... I think Marcus would rather have Tim Brown and Rocket on the roster than show tape of them. And it's really not about that. It's about two things -- the punt/punt return game has changed dramatically since those days. Philosophically, Brian Mason is more aggressive in terms of returns and punt blocks than Brian Polian was. Rees has all the freedom to run the kind of offense he wants, but he needs some heatlhy wide receivers to do the things you're looking for. Ultimately, dynamic passing is about efficiency, great decisions and balance, not taking unnecessary risks. And that's what I think you'llo get with Tommy.

Tony Soldo from Hobe Sound Florida

2:50

Tony Soldo, Hobe Sound Florida: Hi Eric, Will Coach Freeman encourage and promote special teams coordinator Brian Mason to open up the return game, and bring back the Holtz era of big plays on returns, maybe show some old film of Tim Brown, and Rocket Ismail, instead of the no turnover obsessed coaching style of coach Kelly with his fair catches on punts? the same question about allowing coach Rees to open up the passing game with big play/higher risk plays over the middle, to attack opposing defenses and be more agressive? That would benefit the outside deep receivers as well as the running game.

Eric Hansen

2:50

Thanks and Thanks, Chris. 1) Yes, have a commitment from Sedrick Irvin Jr.. whose a 4-star top 250 guy who transferred from Miami Gulliver Prep to Miami Columbus to improve his compettion and be more college ready. I think ND has a shot at either Jayden Limar or Jeremiayah Love as a second back. (Kyle Kelly is helping me with some of this info.) 2. I don't know that Moore is likely to delay his commitment to the summer, but I'd say it's possible that it would not come until June. His father Otha has been pretty consistent with the timeline and the desire to take official visits. 3) No, I kind of jumped the gun and answered part of that in question 2. 4) I don't think the two-month delay would be game changing. Four or five months, probabably, but we're not looking at that kind of timetable.

Chris from San Diego, CA/Stillwater, MN

2:41

Love the chats and never miss your podcast with you Tyler James. Thanks for doing both. A few questions: 1) Are we realistically in on any running backs for 2023 that are considered elite at this point? 2) Is it true that Dante Moore is now likely to delay any commitment until summer? 3) If so, does it cause you concern as to whether he will ultimately sign with ND? 4) Assuming he did wait until summer or fall to commit, how much would this dilute his potential to help lure other high impact offensive recruits to ND in 2023?

Eric Hansen

2:40

OK, you're asking how I would play it. If I really believed Moore will end up at ND and he's been up front with me the whole time (and he has), then I'd wait. I don't think you can get both of them to wait. If I'm uncertain about Moore's lean and Vizzina is ready, I take Vizzina, because Clemson is pushing and he's also really good.

skip - houston

2:33

Help me with a good dilemma. We want to sign Dante Moore or Christopher Vizzina, with it appears a preference for Moore. Moore is a little more highly rated but Vizzina is a high quality prospect. We cannot afford a total whiff. Let's say Vizzina is ready to sign but ND holds off hoping to get Moore. If Moore goes elsewhere, how do we keep Vizzina from having gone elsewhere during the interim or just souring on the situation? How would you play this good dilemma? Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:30

Tom please hometown next time ... and I'm not sure I entirely understand your question. Jarrett Patterson is expected to start the season ready to play as the No. 1 center. I guess you're assuming that he's not ... then what happens to Zeke Correll? Zeke has looked sharp this spring at center .. now is that because of Harry and Zeke or because he's no longer playing guard? If it's both, then he'll be in line to compete with Michael Carmody for that center spot in 2023 and would have a good chance there. But there's a lot of competition at the guard spots, I'm not sure he could overtake the starters or the backups. And Billy Schrauth will be joining that mix in a couple of months when his foot is fully healed.

Tom Millikin

2:26

As the O-line inevitably changes from game 1 do you see Correll a mainstay somewhere on the line no matter what or is he at risk of getting lost in the o-line shuffle?

Eric Hansen

2:26

Thanks, Bob, Marcus wants the identity of the team to be strength on the offensive and defensive lines, and so far this spring, that's what he has received. Lots of good leaders among the player ranks. Avery Davis and Jarrett Patterson will be even more impactful from that group when they're back on the field playing.

Guest

2:24

Bob, Lansing. Eric, the 3 major factors in team success starts with the on the field leadership #1 and then with the play of both the defensive and offensive lines. What is your assessment so far of those 3 factors? Really appreciate your work over the many years with N.D. football.

Eric Hansen

2:19

I hit that earlier, but I wanted you to know I at least have a partical answer to your BYU in Vegas ticket question from last week. It will not be 50-50 like the Wisconsin game. Notre Dame will get a little less than a typical home allotment and BYU will get a little more than a typical visiting allotment. As to when and how to buy, I'm still waiting on that answer and will relay it.

IrishMike, Altoona,PA

2:17

Hi Eric! Thank you for providing these weekly chats! So, ND picks up FCS Tennessee State for 2023! Not a good look! Surely the Irish could find a better opponent? Thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:16

Joe, thanks for the compliment. Just keep in mind, year three has been the magic number for ND head coaches and national titles. For ND to win it in 2022? Tyler Buchner would have to be a top 15 QB in pass efficiency. That never happened in the Kelly Era. Did twice in the Weis Era, but he didn't have the defensive pieces ND has now or earlier in the Kelly Era. The Irish must have answers at cornerback (and depth) in August. The wide receiver numbers must be addressed, and now I think they need to look for a potential starter with Wilkins out ... not only depth. They need Marcus Freeman to continue to grow into his role as he has been. And Tommy Rees needs to have a year that creates a buzz throughout college football.

Guest

2:11

Joe C. Massapequa , NY . Hi Eric . Been an ND fan for 47 years. Thank you for the great coverage of the team and it is as good as anyone I have followed. Here are my questions . How does Freeman and staff ND bring a National Championship to ND nation in 2022 ? What will he do to make that happen in year one? Great challenge but the players seem to have great confidence in each other and the staff.

Eric Hansen

2:11

Kevin, thanks. I like the change and roster churn and the new challenges and dynamics. It's one of the many things that makes me love college football so much. ... I wanted to just wing the speech, but am going to write it out just in case. About halfway done. Hope to finish tonight.

Kevin from St. Louis

2:10

Hi Eric, I both enjoy and lament the fleeting nature of sports (and especially college sports). Hope springs eternal at the start of each year as the slate is wiped clean. But each team only has one shot at it, and then its over for that particular iteration of that "team." And we're left to ponder the "what-if's" of the season. "What if Julian Love hadn't been injured at the end of the first half (of the 2018 Clemson playoff game)?" We get no redoes. In the NFL, a team might try to run it back again with a similar team. In college, the stars of this year's team are often the most likely to be missing from the next. Does the ephemeral nature increase or decrease your interest in college athletics? (e.g. We wouldn't want to watch the 2018 CFB playoff every single year, but would I have loved to have Julian Love around for 2019, sure!) P.S. Hope you have your Hall of Fame speech ready!

Eric Hansen

2:07

Recruiting. Recruiting. Recruiting.

Ken, in Shipshewana

2:07

Pre-season predictions are tough, and we're all hoping for the best. But can you name a dynamic in the program you've seen thus far, that would give hope of another step up the latter to the ultimate goal?

Eric Hansen

2:06

Thanks Don. We have three more to go ... Harry Hiestand on Thursday, then Mike Mickens and Gerad Parker next week. One thing that strikes me off the top, ND went 54-9 in the last five years of Kelly, plus the bowl loss. And these guys aren't afraid to raise the standard and aim higher. ... Thought No. 2 Harry Hiestand's return permeates everything. ... They've all been good at creating buy-in, perhaps in part because the players know they really want to be at ND. ... Practice is different. Different doesn't always mean better, but it's different, and I think the players are recharged by change.

Don in Phoenix

1:59

Eric, The stories regarding the new coaches are good reads It is great that there's been more access this spring than the past few years. I believe you've had access to all. Who and what comes to mind reflecting back on conversations? Will the staff need off season and fall to gel? Thanks and keep up the great work you, Tyler and Kyle are doing.

Eric Hansen

1:59

Len, you're awesome, but that's dangerously close to a 17-part question. You're lucky I can't count that high to confirm that. ... OK here goes: So far so good on the players playing fast. Now that the install is done, we should see an uptick. ... Yes, interior D-line big and strong enough (not sure where this keep coming from). And the commitment today of Harvard DT Chris Smith adds some depth the Irish lost with the Aidan Keanaaina injury. ... Marcus will learn what he needs to about time management and delegating post-spring. He's sharp and asked good questions. He'll figure it out. ... The plan is for Sneed to put weight on, and he will. ... I would describe the offensive scheme as balanced. ... The gameday roles will get a trial run for the Blue-Gold Game and then refined over the summer. ... Recruiting has shifted when it comes to the rover/strongside linebacker. Samuel M'Pemba, 6-4, 245, is being recruited as a rover.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:51

Hi Eric, Thanks for hosting as always. So much to talk about. Will players on D play fast enough as they are learning Golden's new/modified defense? Are the DT’s big and strong enough? Is Marcus going to be too tired to coach on game day? Will Sneed put weight on? What will the O scheme be when finally put together? And I have stayed away from the questions on QB’s, CB’s and WR’s. With all the unknowns I came up with two questions. Not knowing exactly how the schemes will work and not knowing how players will pan out in those schemes, can this new staff come together to make adjustments in game 1 and how are they preparing to make those adjustments? Second, explain why rover recruited LB’s such as Prince Kollie and Jaylen Sneed are playing inside and Jordon Botelho is playing rover at 245? Is JB the next coming of Dave Robinson?

Eric Hansen

1:50

Lawrence, it's interesting because the three players seeing the most time at rover in practice are three really different players -- Jack Kizer, Jordan Botelho and Nolan Ziegler. The sense I'm getting is that Notre Dame -- especially with the surge from nickel TaRiq Bracy -- are committed to more nickel and dime third-down packages. That can take the rover off the field. Or. Botelho drops down and rushes the passer with the vyper end, field end and d-tackle, with the nose guard coming off the field. I don't think Al Golden is invested in playing the rover the way Clark Lea did. Yes, Marist could play any of the three linebacker positions and be really good at all three, but I really like him in practice at the Will.

1:46

Sorry, I had to post a story quickly ... on to your answer.

Lawrence from San Diego

1:36

I’ve read the descriptions that our Rover/Sniper will play more like a Vyper, and Jordan B. sure doesn’t cover like JOK, but can you say a little more about how this position is changing? Does this mean the Rover will hold the edge and rush the passer, but will come off the field when it’s time to man up on a slot receiver? Can’t this be exploited by splitting a back out to the slot? Wouldn’t Marist be a better match for that role than Kiser?

Eric Hansen

1:35

Hi Denis. I've covered a few first-time head coaches -- Bob Davie and Charlie Weis at ND, Jim Colletto at Purdue, Sam Wyche in his one year at Indiana. I'm also studying Brian Daboll with the NY Giants, just for comparison's sake. I don't think your worry is unwarranted, but I don't think it's a certainty either. To me, Marcus has tackled some of the more difficult big-picture parts of being a first-year head coach. What he needs to do after spring is learn to say no, learn to delegate and trust. Those things will help him be a better gameday coach, because he won't be depleted and can focus in on what he's good at. I think Al Golden will prove to be a valuable resource in kind of coming up with that plan.

Denis from Niagara Falls, ON.

1:28

Hi Eric. I like Marcus Freeman a lot but I am worried his lack of game day experience will cost the team at least one victory. If the over/under for losses due to experience is set at one, are you over or under that?

Eric Hansen

1:28

Hi Jeff. I'll be happy to pass along the kudos to Kyle, but all I have on hand are Altoids (curiously strong) and not Junior Mints. I believe Lenzy in the story said he wasn't at liberty to reveal his special teams roles, so I'll honor that, but he's not in the mix at punt return. Brian Mason had previously identified the candidates as Matt Salerno, Brandon Joseph, Jaden Mickey and Jadarian Price. Cincinnati used a lot of its starters/stars on special teams... So kickoff coverage, gunner, possibly kickoff return all make some sense for Lenzy, who was an accomplished DB as well in high school.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:22

Hey Eric, first, kudos and a jumbo box of Junior Mints to Kyle for his work and follow-up on the recruiting blitz! So, in reading Tyler's article on Lenzy yesterday, I wanted to get your take on how Coach Mason is likely to use him on special teams. Is Lenzy the front runner for punt or kick returner? Was it suggested that he could be used as a 'gunner' to disrupt opponents returns/kickoffs? Where else could Mason use Lenzy or others to get special teams to the elite level? Thanks-

Eric Hansen

1:22

There are a lot of people who believe this matchup should be celebrated as something that's great for college football. That feeling is not universal. I'm going to get into all that in my column. ... Two quick points. For those who worry this will dilute ND's playoff résumé, the Irish are already playing Ohio State, Clemson and USC. It's not going to be a factor. And Sept. 9 isn't necessarily going to be a bye week. My guess is it will be a road game. The 2023 schedule has six holes and four unplaced games. Only one of those is at home, Pitt, and that's got to fall in November. Again, I'll tease all this out later today, but I want to hear what the folks in the press conference have to say first.

1:17

So here's the bottom line. There's a lot of depth here to this question and in just these three questions, you can see the diversity in takes on it. I am covering the joint press conference right after the chat and then will write a column about it. .. Here are a few things to note in the meantime. Notre Dame, USC and UCLA are the only three FBS teams never to play a level (or more) down in the modern era. UCLA leaves this grouo this fall, when they host Alabama State on Sept. 10. USC was due to do the same last season in an opener against UC-Davis, but there was such an uproar from the fan base, the new regime swapped out Davis for San Jose State. (more)

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