JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 10, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 10, 2022

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Eric Hansen

2:31

Kevin, I really appreciate you giving love to the live chat -- and a great question. So yes, all offers are not created equal. Let's start with committable offers (and the coaching staff is transparent). Someone like Keon Keeley (who is committed) or Samual M'Pemba could commit any time they wanted. I'd venture to say ND will take M-Pemba even if they're full at his position when he makes his decision or even if they have to make room for him by eventually not inviting back a player for a fifth year. Then there's the art of slow-playing -- delaying visits, delaying a recruit's green light to commit. So you prioritize your board. There are players you'd love ot have, but you're playing a numbers game at a particular position. (more)

Kevin

From Orlando. Let me start again. (See my reference to a 20 year history.) This could easily be a 17 pointer but I would appreciate your be able to decipher even half of that number. I think I saw that ND has 'offered' 124 members of the class of 2024. What does that mean? Are there offers and 'offers'? Does that really mean that ND will accept a commitment from any one of the 124? Are these offers actually dependent upon various conditions such as meeting academic requirements or other requirements? Has academic elegibility already at least been tentatively scrutinized when an offer is made? Do these offers get officially rescinded when the quota for a certain position has been met? I guess a practical example of an offer not really being an offer might be other quarterbacks who were offered but slow played by ND while they waited for Moore to make a decision?

2:26

I very much appreciate the opportunity to submit questions. Even though I have been on this site or its predecessors for at least 20 years now, I don't remember anything close to 'Live Cat'.

Eric Hansen

2:25

Hi Steve, and thank you. They're pretty guarded about that other than an occasional mention. I wish it was publich. Brian Kelly did let a lot of that info out one offseason, and kind of regretted it later.

Steve, Kenosha WI

2:24

Eric, continued praises to you, Tyler, and Kyle on fantastic content and insights on Rivals. Did ND happen to publish player’s strength and speed data/gains from summer workouts heading into Fall camp?

Eric Hansen

2:24

ND's going to have to win the turnover battle and perhaps a big special teams play -- blocked punt, return for a TD, something like that. And if ND can run the ball well, this game could be interesting into the fourth quarter.

Patrick, Los Angeles

2:23

What Ohio State possible weakness could contribute to an ND victory on September 3rd?

Eric Hansen

2:23

Offensive line. Defensive line. Michael Mayer and an improving secondary. The path to an upset victory starts -- but doesn't end -- there.

Patrick, Los Angeles

2:22

(1) What team strengths do you think will be most valuable in contributing to a possible victory against Ohio State?

Eric Hansen

2:22

David, he works with a throwing specialist (Taylor Kelly) during his off time in California. His throwing motion does look unconventional, but neither Kelly, nor Tommy Rees seem to be troubled by it. It was a bit more wonky when he first arrived as an early enrollee in 2021, but Ian Book actually helped him iron some things out. He actually throws on the run very well. So far, I'd just not give it a second thought.

David - NY

2:15

Eric! Thanks as always for the chat. Don't kill me for a throwing motion question ... Post BK QB development, I hope we talk about this less and less. But watching some of the practice highlights Tyler's motion looks very strange and some balls are coming out without a tight spiral. I know he's made adjustments in the past. And you've seen a lot more of him than me. Where is he in terms of throwing motion and development?

Eric Hansen

2:14

Defensive line is the strength, followed by offensive line. Most obvious weakness are the kickers, but that can change. Among position group, it's the corners -- but they are much improved. WR depth and RB depth remain concerns.

Frank from Royse City, Texas

2:13

What do you feel is the strength of this team and the most obvious weakness?

Eric Hansen

2:13

Hi Robert, thank you. I'd rank those from most likely to least likely as QB (but not necessarily Minchey), Jeremiyah Love, Samuel M'Pemba and Ronan Hanafin. NIL rumors keep me from being more confident about a couple of those guys.

Robert K from Sartell Minnesota

2:10

I hate to get greedy, but could you rank our chances of landing Love, M’pemba, Hanafin, and a QB? Thanks Eric. You da best!

Eric Hansen

2:10

For junior linebacker/defensive end Jordan Botelho, it was a matter of finding his best position, being able to channel his aggression in a way that benefited him and his team on the field, and simply growing up and not being his own worst enemy. All three of those things seem to be converging in August of 2022. Al Golden loves him and Golden doesn't put up with much. Neither does grad assistant/linebacker James Laurinaitis or D-line coach Al Washington. I'd expect to see Botelho in a variety of roles -- some games more than others based on matchups and scheme.

2:06

Hi Jim and thank you. Let's start with Rocco Spindler. Rocco, a sophomore and the No. 68 player coming out of high school, remains on a trajectory to start as a junior in 2023. He'd also be a top option to replace sixth-year ver Josh Lugg at right guard or preseason All-American Jarrett Patterson at left guard if one of them went down with an injury. Because Joe Alt and Blake Fisher both played as freshmen at OT last season, it falsely made it look like Rocco was not progressing by comparison. Fisher and Alt are only the eighth and ninth freshmen in the past 50 years to start a game or more on Notre Dame's offensive line. As far as offensive guards, there have only been nine starts made by freshmen at ND in 50 years and none of those starts took place in September. So bottom line, with Lugg and Patterson gone in 2023, he'll get his chance to move into the top five. (more)

Jim Tal, Valley Center, CA.

1:55

Hi Eric, always appreciate your insights and the in-depth info that you share. Could you please provide an update on the current status of Jordan Botelho and Rocco Spindler. Both these players arrived as acclaimed recruits and were thought to be potential difference-makers. Are they still regarded as highly now as they were then and could this be the year when each experiences a breakout of sorts? From some reason, I get the impression that the clock maybe ticking on both these young men of whom much was expected. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:48

Jon, that's the million-dollar question of this season. My sense is the answer lies somewhere in between -- that Tyler Buchner will break out and show a surge of improvement during this season -- but perhaps not until October. I wouldn't bet against him. Here's a piece I did about a week ago that was behind our pay wall. I'm going to put it out there for free his week: How ND QB Tyler Buchner's twisted journey is now powering his ascent ... Once you read it. I think you'll understand why I have pushed my chips into the middle of the table on this kid.

Jon - Bellaire, OH

1:41

Eric - Have you been sufficiently impressed with TB12's progress. Is he currently playing at a level that could take this team to a playoff or with a National Championship? Or, is he a year away?

Eric Hansen

1:36

If you see him in practice -- even without pads, even in very simple drills, your concerns would melt away ... in seconds.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:35

So, Michael Mayer is up to 265 pounds. Don't know how to feel about that. Would do you see as the pluses and minuses of that much additional weight in a short period of time? Thanks. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

1:34

I htink junior DE Rylie Mills and senior linebacker Marist Liufau are two breakout candidates who could really impact the Ohio State game. ... Colzie reminds me a bit of Chase Claypool early in his career in that there was all kinds of talent there, but there's a maturation process Colzie must go through (as Claypool did) to reach his potential.

1:30

Hi Marie. Every week is a great week when there's football to watch and talk about. Thanks for your questions. Let me put the first one in context. Our first practice to see with players in pads is Thursday, so that will inform us on another level. Also there are players for whom I had high expectations -- such as Tobias Merriweather and Eli Raridon -- thus eliminating them from the surprise category. for me. So, with that in mind -- the young corners have surprised me -- Chance Tucker, Benjamin Morrison, Jaden Mickey. Mickey was impressive in the spring, but he's not only sustained that, he's added to it. Zeke Correll had a strong spring, but now he's up to 308 from 292 and is surging. Freshman punter Bryce McFerson so far has surprised me. I'll have a longer list once we see the players in pads and in more competitive situations. (more)

Marie From Atlanta

1:16

Hi Eric, I hope you are having a great week. It must be so fun getting to go to practices. Based on what you’ve seen so far which players have surprised you the most in a good way? Who do you think are a couple of upper classmen who could break out in the Ohio State game? What does Deion Colzie need to do to try to get himself a little more in the mix? He sort of seems like an afterthought right now and I know he was highly touted coming out of high school and has good size. it just seems like the coaches never mention him without being prompted, Which makes it seem like maybe he’s not meeting his potential. As always, thanks for all your good information and insight. Looking forward to a great chats in the season ahead

Eric Hansen

1:16

Hi Michael. I did NOT hear that Audric Estime lost 10 pounds. In fact, he gained 1 -- to 229 from the spring -- and he's ripped. It's funny to see him in jersey No. 7, worn by some former Irish QBs. I'll stick to running backs with this question on what has impressed me. Estime is much more than a short-yardage back. He's got soft hands and catches the ball well. He's nimble and agile. He can make you miss. And his instincts about when to cut up field are much improved over his freshman year. At 197 pounds, Chris Tyree looks more powerful and more durable. The Irish need him to be. Payne moves well. In Monday's practice he was laboring on an ankle a bit, but in previous practices, he looks like someone who can play right away.

michael kraus costa mesa ca.

1:10

ERIC Have you heard that AUSTIMIE has dropped around 10 lbs ? Have you seen any of the practices ? If so who has impressed you ? Is this Matt Salernos 7 th year LOL. Thank You

Eric Hansen

1:09

Ced, that's a good question. Logan Diggs is able to do some stuff in the drills, but he can't have live contact yet. Tuesday was the first day in pads, by the way. but yes they'll need to dip into the walk-on ranks in practices to keep from overworking Chris Tyree, Audric Estime and Gi'Bran Payne. They'll get their work in, because they need it, but they just won't push them beyond what they would do if there were five healthy scholarship backs ... Yes I agree with your assessment of freshman WR Tobias Merriweather.

cederickwalker

1:06

ced walker saginaw michigan the question I ask u last week about our running backs is will marcus freeman , deland mccullough limit they reps at practice because we only have 3 right now tobias merriweather will be special this season go irish

Eric Hansen

1:06

Having said that, and piecing together clues through interviews and sources -- and without giving away trade secrets -- I expect the Irish to play multiple fronts -- more so than last year and much more than the previous regimes. I expect there to be niche personnel packages. I think Chris Smith at nose and Jordan Botelho as a hybrid player play into that philosophy. I think you'll see a defense that can be a little more exotic with pressures, because the linebackers are so smart/athletic, they can handle it. Bottom line, I think this is a defense that's won't sit back and read/react. It's Freeman's defense but a 2.0 version. I expect the Irish to be much improved vs. the run and one of the top teams in sacks. We'll find out in game 1 if they can cover.

12:59

Hey Don, how cool you got to go to Italy. I'll check with our folks at corporate about international access. I know we have no issues in Canada, but I'll check on Europe. Thanks for letting us know about the issues. ... Assessing Golden's scheme is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Notre Dame would really like Ohio State's offense experiencing it to be like a blind date. The Irish have been very intentional about that with how practice viewing windows are structured -- much less full accesss, no competitive periods or scrimmages during the days of limited (5 period) access. So you never see the defense line up in any formations. In the spring, they were very vanilla and almost always in a 4-3 look. (more)

Don in Phoenix

12:54

Eric, Finally real stuff to talk about. Was in Italy and couldn't follow your camp opening from there. Kept getting a 403 error. Other sites were ok but missed you and Tyler. Was able to catch up once we changed planes in the states. What's your impression of Golden's scheme? Is it too much for the D to handle or is it more of a read and react model? By the way the weather was hot in the Piedmont area but the food was spectacular as was the wine.

Eric Hansen

12:53

Hi Jeff. The Irish has to get to 85 scholarships by the first day of class (Aug. 23). The recent medical retirement of Joey Tanona dropped ND from 86 to 85. To keep track of the scholarship count and eligibility by class and position, check out our scholarship chart. Michal Mayer is up to 265 after being listed at 251. That and every other players' height/weight have been updated on our depth chart. And there have been some significant changes beyond Mayer. Also, players who are injured and out for the Ohio State game (or beyond) are noted on the depth chart as are players who are limited now but could be ready. We'll update this throughout camp as changes occur and at least weekly during the season. ND won't likely bring all 85 on road games, and even then all the healthy players won't likely see action when starters and key backups will get most of the playing time.

Jeff from Canto, MI

12:44

Hi Eric, wondering of the 86 scholarships (do we need to get to 85?), how many are injured and unlikely to see any action for Ohio State? And did you all revise the heights and measures with the recent depth chart on your site? It appears that Michael Mayer is up to 265 lbs? pretty big increase from last year.

Eric Hansen

12:42

Question II: The seamy side of NIL could affect how ND -- currently No. 1 in recruiting nationally in both the '23 and '24 cycles, finishes out the current cycle. But let's say the Irish start finishing in the top five on a regular basis. That's a reasonable expectation with the way Marcus Freeman and the staff are recruiting. And the more talent you have (with an already strong player development model), the more margin for error you have in the big-stage games like Ohio State, like Clemson, like playoff games.

12:39

That, along with a string defense, establishes a pretty strong floor for this year's team. The QB development will go a long way to helping to determine its ceiling.

12:38

Hi Tom. Two-parters are always welcome. 17-parters? Not so much. I can't count that hight. Part 1 is intriguing. But I think we've seen that movie before. I think a Harry Hiestand-developed offensive line is a necessary ingredient to get you into the playoff discussion or the playoff itself. An elite QB without that line makes you a difficult out on any given Saturday but wouldn't produce the balance and consistency in the offense necessary for a playoff run. But together the elite quarterback with the elite O-line is what allows you to WIN games in the playoff. That's assuming your defense and special teams are also more than respectable. If you listened to this week's Inside ND Sports podcast with our guest Aaron Taylor, you know you can expect the O-Line play to be a big asset. (more)

Tom from Grand Rapids

12:31

Eric, appreciate your efforts as always. Which is the bigger need, and why? The emergence of a bona-fide #1 quarterback or the return of a H.H style offensive line. A second if I may, there appears to be ‘something different’ going on with regards to recruiting, and I’m sure people could say it’s this or that. Will these changes allow ND to start drawing more elite talent into the fold? Go Irish ☘️

Eric Hansen

12:31

Hi Tom, we got a real good taste of that in the spring during practice. And you're spot on. In fact, Brian Mason has a video on the market on punt block fundamentals and schemes. Just $19.95! I also think he's going to be more aggressive in the return game, based upon who we've seen in the audtions for returnmen. Yes, Matt Salerno (who was asked to do a lot of fair-catching under the old regime) is back there on punts. But between punts and kickoffs, the pool looks like this so far this month: Lenzy, Tyree, Merriweather, Payne, Joseph, Mickey and Styles in addition to Salerno. Diggs will be in that mix when healthy.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

12:22

Hi Eric, from what we have read so far, the new ST Coach Mason seems to like a more aggressive style of ST play. It seemed like Coach Polian and BK were more satisfied with a don't make a mistake approach while Coach Mason seems to be teaching a let's make our opponent make a mistake type of approach. Is that how you see it early in camp and have you had a chance to talk with him about this? Thanks. Go Irish!!

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