JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 13, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 13, 2025

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Eric Hansen

2:08

I had earlier predicted Jalen Stroman, and in practices we've seen as much Luke Talich with Shuler as we have Stroman. I don't think Tae Johnson will start, but will play a lot and will be in some sub packages as well. I am going to switch that pick to Talich, but again, I think four safeties will play a lot. Deep, strong rotation with some interesting freshmen behind them.

Swandong, Atwood, Indiana

2:06

Who do you think will start at safety next to Adon? My guess is Tae or Stroman as Talich’s game is more comparable to what Adon brings. I think Talich would be Adons #2

Eric Hansen

2:03

Kevin!!!! The variables here are: Which quarterback is the starter and what's Miami's approach on defense. Are they loading the box or not? How I would teach the class beyond those factors, is what the defense is giving you is going to determine a lot of that answer. Also, are you non-verbal communications with a first-time starter good enough, strong enough that you can play chess at the line of scrimmage and change plays. But Mike Denbrock will not be AFRAID to have his QBs throw deep.

Kevin-Sleepy Eye, Mn

2:00

Eric!!!!! Pretend you're Denbrock teaching OC-101 to a classroom of future OC's. Topic: First quarter of an opening game on the road with new QB vs Miami. How much will you pass the ball? Will you let your young QB through deep or just short underneath passes??

Eric Hansen

1:58

Hi Andy, thanks for reading the transcripts and volunteering today to be part of the next one, with your question. Off the top of my head, I'll go with Boubacar Traore for the sacks, because he is elite and now healthy. Interceptions is harder, because I think teams will avoid throwing Leonard Moore's way as much as possible. I think the safety rotation will be too deep for one of them to have the most. So I am going to go out on a limb and say Christian Gray, because I think he'll get tested and I think he'll respond well to that.

Andy from Fairfax VA

1:55

Hi Eric, always loved reading your chat transcripts. Please predict which players will lead in sacks and interceptions and why that player in this defense. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:54

Hi Jason. You rock too, and thanks. He got hurt in the spring, or else you would have heard more from him then. Then in June, Malachi Fields stepped on campus. The Virginia transfer plays the same position (boundary) as Gilbert. So it's been Malachi, Malachi, Malachi ever since (that's for the Brady Bunch lovers/tolerators). But I expect Gilbert to be part of a six-man wide receiver core rotation with a chance to compete to be a starter in 2026.

Jason - Kalamazoo, MI

1:51

You ROCK, Eric. My question is: What happened to Micah Gilbert in his development? He seemed to create a splash on arrival but has been pretty quiet since.

Eric Hansen

1:51

Hi Tom. Thanks for the kudos. I do think sharing it as in No. 2 having a niche/situational role is possible. I do not think co-QBs is on the table, nor do I think that's a good idea.

Tom from Toronto

1:50

Hi Eric, I enjoyed your article this morning regarding the still undecided decision regarding a starting QB. Is there any chance that both Minchey and Carr could share the job and if that happened, what do you see as the negative(s) of doing so? If it happened, it might really drive the oppositions' DCs crazy. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:49

Hi Doug. He might have been on the back burner attention-wise, because he's just so remarkably consistent. He was expected to be that, and so far he fits that profile. The good news is the surge behind him for some key depth at that position with Karson Hobbs and Ben Minich coming on.

Doug from Sunny Florida

1:48

Eric, I haven't heard much at all regarding Devonta Smith. What have you heard regarding his skills and ability to lock down opponents as the nickel back?

Eric Hansen

1:47

Hi Mike. The QBs and receivers meeting all summer is pretty standard at Notre Dame and elsewhere. ... But as we've been highlighting in our coverage at blueandgold.com. I would say this receiving corps for 2025 is a noticeable step up from last season, with Malachi Fields, Jaden Greathouse, Will Pauling and Jordan Faison being the top four. And don't sell RB Jeremiyah Love short in impacting the passing game.

Mike from Rockville, MD

1:45

Hi, Eric! Thank you for these chats!! What have you seen of the receivers so far in camp? Any standouts and/or surprises? Also, do you know if the any of the QBs met with any of the receivers over the summer (pre-camp)?

Eric Hansen

1:44

Hi Jeremy, and thank you! This is about the time of year they start to round into form in terms of accuracy. STs coach Marty Biagi spends a lot of time with them refining or even redoing their swings. What I like about both transfer Noah Burnette and freshman Erik Schmidt that you can already see is great leg strength from both. Schmidt made a 55-yarder in high school. I haven't seen him try one from that distance, but he's looked great from the 40s in practice in terms of distance with room to spare. We've got a practice viewing on Friday and Biagi among the interviews, so we'll get an update then. I think the kickers will also be in for interviews that day.

Jeremy From Goshen, IN

1:38

Hello Eric, Thank you for doing these Chats. How are we feeling about the placekicker position this year? I have not heard much. A poor kicking game can be the difference maker in tight games.

Eric Hansen

1:38

On defense ... maybe JaDon Blair. There haven't been many surprises for me on that side of the ball. I expected them to be elite. I can't think of anyone on either side where I'd really say they stalled and didn't develop like I thought they would.

1:36

Matt, great question, but let me preface, what my expectations were and someone else's including yours could be very different. For instance I went out on a limb on Cam Williams and so he might be a surprise for others. And Tae Johnson was my spring football crush, so I expected big things from him. Having now covered by butt ... here are the offensive =players .., Kenny Minchey, Matty Augusting, Chris Terek, Nolan James Jr., Scrap Richardson. (more)

Matt from DC

1:32

Hi Eric, can you identify any players who have made bigger jumps during camp than you anticipated? Similarly, are there any non-injured players who haven’t made the type of progress you hoped to see? Finally: do you get the impression either of the qbs have started to separate themselves? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:30

Hi Chuck. Thanks for the hype! But didn't you promise me a Donato's Pizza??? Glad you had a good time. As far as the Eric Hansen statue, I've been known to move like one on my late-night walks., so ... 1) I am sticking with Carr, because that was my original prediction and I think it's still going back and forth, but I believe if the race ended yesterday it would have been Minchey by a nose. 2) OK here comes the brain fog, I'm missing the connection between the teams you can't stand and any of my predictions, so I'm going to have to punt that answer, 3) Two standouts from the Miami game, well the cheat code answer is Jeremiyah Love and Leonard Moore, but I'll make it interesting and say Malachi Fields and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa.

Chuck from THE LAND

1:19

Just returned from my 2 day preseason visit to MECCA --inspiring and spiritual. Still looking for that ERIC HANSEN statue ... not finished yet? Much deserving. Only 2 things: 1) A few discussions on Campus reflected support for Minchey over Carr. How do you see it? Unless Carr is markedly better in accuracy, will Minchey versatility win out? 2) My 3 most hated teams are 1- Penn State ( drubbed last year) 2- Miami 3- USC ( drubbed regularly). To complete my Triple Crown, are you strong on your BGI prediction? Name 2 standouts from the game. Thanks, Eric, looking forward to reading you & Tyler in BGI!

Eric Hansen

1:17

Hi Ced. Chris Ash was open to doing either, and I believe he'll likely end up on the sideline, but we have a chance to talk to him Sunday, so I will make sure to ask that question and share the answer.

Guest

1:16

ced walker Saginaw Michigan aka sagnasty saginaw pride we know Mike Denbrock will call plays from the side line where will Chris ash call the defensive plays from sideline or press box God Bless This football team here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen

1:16

The preseason poll process is very different than the weekly one. To me, the weekly ones aren't predictive, but rather of snapshot. And I take into account not just what happened in a given week, but for the entire season. For instance. Let's say Ohio State bears No. 1 Texas, but 8 weeks later, Texas is a .500 team and the Buckeyes haven't beaten anyone else of note. I would take that into account at that point. You can't watch all the games, but you can look at the stats and stories from those games to get context on the scores.

1:09

Hi James. Let me give you a couple of story links if you'd like more depth, or else I'd spend the rest of the chat explaining. But I will try to give you a concise version. Here are the links:

Behind The Ballot: Inside the numbers that helped shape an AP Top 25 projection

Unraveling the mysteries (or compounding them) of the AP Top 25 CFB poll voting process

Now to your answer ...

James, Placitas, NewMexico

1:08

Eric,
I was curious if you could explain how you came about your top 25 college football pool voting. I’m sure it’s not something you were always given the honor of doing and I just wondered if you could tell us the backstory of why you are still painstaking about it And about your selections

Eric Hansen

1:07

Hi Bob. I can only speak for myself in part because I could never remember someone else's predictions. It's hard enough to remember my own, especially when I'm wrong. I don't think there is a common thread. I underestimated the 2012 team and would probably do it again knowing all the adversity that team faced in the offseason. I did not see the depths of 2007 or 2016 coming. And those happened for very different reasons. The lame way for me to explain it ... my crystal ball was in the shop?

Bob (Oxnard CA)

1:04

Hi Eric. When you look back over the years and think about preseason predictions from you (or the ND beat) that turned out to be significantly incorrect, is there any relatively common denominator (e.g., perhaps over-valuing talent versus proven production, under-valuing coaching continuity, over-estimating QB play etc)? Thx.

Eric Hansen

1:02

As far as bucket list, maybe because I'm kind of shaped like a bucket, I don't do that. But if I did, it would consist of Lambeau Field (and that's coming up) and Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa (which is a little further into the future, 2030, but I plan to be there.) Thanks for the feedback on the Behind The Ballot column. I'm looking forward to doing that on a weekly basis.

12:59

Jeremiyah Love and Leonard Moore are ND's two best players and losing either would be tough. But given the replacements, I'd throw TE Eli Raridon in that conversation because of TE depth and he is the clear No. 1. On defense, I'm going to say Boubacare Traore, with Jordan Botelho still out. ... Best Stadium besides ND that I've watched a game at ... I am taking Ohio Stadium out of the running, just because I grew up going there. I'll give you two ... Oklahoma and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (more)

12:55

Hi Marie. LOVING this preseason. So much fun to cover. I owe you a message back and will get to that soon. ... Easier questions for me this week. I think in this QB race, the closeness of it has made both players better. ... I do not have as much confidence in CJ Carr winning the job as I did even a week ago, but I'll stick with that prediction. Minchey winning it would not be a surprise, though, at this point. .. .I do not think Freeman will wait to game day to announce the starter. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:47

Hey Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. Love the Behind the Ballot concept, great read, and I look forward to reading it throughout the season. It seems like the quarterback race may be closer than was predicted.Do you think this is a good or bad? Has your confidence level that Carr will win the job dropped at all? Do you think there’s any chance that Freeman would just wait until game day or very close to game dayto publicly announce the starter is? Which two players on offensive and defense can the team least afford to lose this season? A little off-topic what is the best stadium besides ND stadium that you’ve ever watched a college football game? What one or two stadiums are on your bucket list? As always, thanks for hosting the chat and all the great insights.

Eric Hansen

12:46

Hi Jack, it's been hot and humid here too, which I suppose it good that Notre Dame has been practicing in it and will be ready for Aug. 31 in south Florida. So the five key metrics and ND's 2024 ranking were: Rush offense 19th, Pass Efficiency 49th, Run Defense 49th, Total Defense 11th and Turnover Margin 5th. I would expect ND to be better in the first four. I think their strength will be total defense followed by rush offense. If they're not better in pass efficiency (and it may be a gradual thing), that will hurt them. I still think they'd be a playoff team with the 2024 numbers, but to make a deep run, improving those two 49 rankings would make that a lot more probable. How Chris Ash addressed run defense is going to be key and intriguing. Thanks for the compliments and being from such a great area!

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

12:39

Hi Eric. Hot and humid here in your hometown. Of the 5 metrics that you often talk about that very good teams excel in which do you think will be Notre Dame's strength this year and which may be an area which could hurt them? As always your the best on the beat!

Eric Hansen

12:38

Hi Tony. If you need be pinched to remember, I've now got eight grandkids, six of whom are pretty severe pinchers (the twins are still developing that skill set). If you follow me on social media, I can nag you there. Just remember it's every Wednesday at noon ET from this point forward. ... To your question, what gives a game more of a blind date feel than transfer players are new coordinators. Al Golden talked about that challenge when they faced Navy to start the 2023 season in Ireland. They practiced basic concepts and rules and then adjusted in-game to specifics. And regard to specific transfer players, at least there's usually good film on them to study to get some concept of strengths and weaknesses. Both Miami and ND gave new defensive coordinators, so I think it'll be pretty even in that regard.

Tony, Lake Mary, FL

12:29

Hey Eric! First time asking since switching with you to Blue and Gold. It is harder for me to be reminded for these chats with the extra content. Maybe a calendar reminder is needed. However, no offense, if I set a calendar reminder for this and miss all the other things my wife tells me I do, then I'll be in trouble. Anyway. I am curious if you have had discussions regarding how the Week 1 blind date nature of the game is more severe in the new transfer portal era, how the staffs prepare for this, and if there is an advantage for either ND or Miami in this facet of the game.

Eric Hansen

12:28

Manny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure if I'd use the word "crippling." Marcus Freeman and his staff have done a great job of building depth. And raising the roster limit (which means more scholarship players) helps. I am going to answer this in a very generic way, because losing a cornerback might not hurt, but losing Leonard Moore specifically would. Sp, generically 1. Tight end, 2. Quarterback, 3. Interior defensive line.

Manny from san pedro

12:25

Eric!!!!! It’s the summer heat is still here but I can feel the fall brisk air in my veins. Injuries in camp are normal but my heart can’t take it!! What position group could we most afford an injury and not miss a beat and what group would be crippling against this early season schedule

Eric Hansen

12:25

Eric, thanks for the compliments and if I need a bodyguard, I know who I'm calling now. ... I like how the starters have looked in drills. We haven't seen them scrimmage, but Joe Rudolph does design the drills where you can get a sense of how people are developing. What's really encouraging is how the backups are coming along .. guys like freshmen Will Black and Matty Augusine, and also Guerby Lamber and Chris Terek.

Eric, Defiance, OH

12:22

big fan of you and Tyler joining the staff, the coverage and articles have phenomenal! As a former offensive lineman I have a soft spot for the that position. Any rumblings on how they’ve looked this camp? Thank you!

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