JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 17, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 17, 2023

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Matt, Salem oregon

Oops, I said surprises of Coogan and Scrauth (meant Spindler).

1:46

Coach Freeman talked about depth at guard. Having 3, wanting 4. Did Kristofic drop? With surprises like Coogan and Scrauth, should we expect transfers from the oline overall that might impact depth even more? I'm thinking of Lacey, seeing himself on the depth chart and saving a year of eligibility. Could some do the same this year and how big do you think the impact to this season if reserve oline transfers happen?

Eric Hansen

1:45

Hey Frank. Medical redshirts and regular redshirts are still on scholarship, so no that would not open up a spot. Now if he took a medical hardship before classes start next week, then yes that would. BUT, Notre Dame is already two UNDER the limit for this year. (I would think hard about giving those to walk-ons Jordan Faison and Luke Talich.) Also, I watched Bauman working out with a strength coach off to the side where injured players ride the stationary bike and do all kinds of upper-body work, etc. He was doing that with such passion, you would have thought he was playing next Saturday. So, I don't see him considering a medical hardship at this time.

Frank from Royse City, Texas

1:41

Another question if I may, if Bauman gets a medical Redshirt does that open up another scholarship for this year? Thank you

Eric Hansen

1:41

Hey Doc. I'm excited that you asked a question, and I love your question. Thank you. Because it would make my head explode to have the run of all the ND rosters of the past, I'll limit myself to the Brian Kelly Era until now (2010-present). Off the top of my head, the finalists would be Stephon Tuitt, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jaylon Smith, Quenton Nelson, Kyle Hamilton and Will Fuller. So this is based on need as well as excellence. Out of that group I think Jaylon Smith upgrades the team this most, followe by Tuitt, but I'd take any one of those guys I listed.

Doc G from Wheaton, IL

1:35

Greetings, Eric!! Excited to ask my first question ever, but follow every chat faithfully. LOVE your work! If you could add one former player from Notre Dame's past to THIS team, to enhance their chances of making the playoffs this year, who would it be?

Eric Hansen

1:35

There's four of them. Jaden Greathouse and Rico Flores Jr., are both No. 2 on the depth chart at their respective WR positions, so that should tell you something about their spring/summer/camp. Braylon James has shown flashes of potential and may have a higher ceiling eventually, but he's not as far along as those two. KK Smith has been recovering from shoulder surgery and probably won't practice until October. He was the only June arrival of the four. I'd expect him to redshirt.

Curt Warsaw In

1:33

Eric, how are the freshman wide receivers looking in camp?

Eric Hansen

1:33

Kevin!!!!! I am impressed with the way Steve Angeli improved in the spring and again the leap he made over the summer and in training camp. HOWEVER, there is still a huge gap between the FBS' active leader in passing yards and TD tosses, and any QB with zero college pass attempts. But I think Angeli has maximized his growth potential over the past eight months. ... as far as would he have passed Buchner? It depends upon how Buchner practiced. He was very good last spring EXCEPT in the Blue-Gold Game. If Buchner had stayed, I'm not sure Angeli would have had the opportunity to grow as much as he did with the additional reps. But I would have expected Buchner to be ND's No. 2 QB going into the season had he stayed.

Kevin Sleepy EYE, mn

1:28

Eric!!!!! So how do feel and Angeli? Would he have passed buchner?

Eric Hansen

1:28

Jim. thanks and best wishes to you. It is not a silly question in the least, because that IS something the ND coaches had to begin to evaluate this training camp. The reps for Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey matter for 2023 AND 2024. Now, how they practice during the season and progress there and how they play in their cameos are significant factors as well. So is how CJ Carr progresses in his senior season of high school. I would say right now, ND would probably be leaning away from the portal. But that can change over the next few months. And even if they like what they have, if there's someone the caliber of Sam Hartman who's interested in a one-and-done at ND, it's only responsible to give that a long look and a deep conversation.

Jim Tal, Valley Center CA.

1:24

Hi Eric. Wishing you the best as always. I realize this season hasn't even begun but necessity requires that you do have to look ahead. As of now, if you had to guess, do you believe ND's starting quarterback in 2024 will come from the group that includes Angeli, Minchey or Carr or is there a high probability that the Irish will bring in a portal transfer to lead the way ala Coan and Hartman? Thanks for keeping up the great work.

Eric Hansen

1:23

Hi Ryan. He got a nice shoutout from Marcus Freeman the other day. He's progressing well, but I do not see him yet cracking the two-deeps, which is good for him and good for ND. I like where his career arc is headed.

Ryan mars pa

1:22

Eric how has Donavan Hinish looked so far in Practice Go Irish ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

1:22

Hi John. Thanks for the compliments, and thanks for remembering my stance so clearly and accurately. I still think the proving has to continue this season on the field and on the recruiting trail, but I will give Al Washington credit for the progress his unit has made both in the spring and through training camp. The D-line has a chance to be the surprise storyline of this season for ND -- which would be a very good thing. And Jason Onye is my surprise player for this season.

John from scottsdale

1:18

First, I’ve really enjoyed the writing of you and all the staff during camp. Very insightful and interesting pieces on the players and coaches. Last winter you were very clear that you felt coach Washington had the most to prove and that D line development was lacking last year in your opinion. Now that we are thru spring and fall camp has your opinion changed or are you still feeling “show me” until improvement shows up on a Saturday in September.

Eric Hansen

1:18

hi Bob. Freshman Charles Jagusah is an impressive freshman O-line prospect who would best benefit this season in taking it slow ... from getting his knee healthy after February surgery and a long rehab and from simply learning after playing for a high school program without the resources to provide him with college-ready lessons and coaching. Although he has been practicing at guard, Jagusah may end up at tackle in the long run. He's definitely a guy with starting potential. But not in 2023.

Bob (Oxnard CA)

1:14

Will Charles Jagusaw start at guard by week 7?

Eric Hansen

1:13

Hi Tim. Gerad Parker didn't scrap the Tommy Rees/Brian Kelly playbook. He built off that. Some of that is because of the lateness in the offseason of Tommy Rees' departure to Alabama -- February rather than, say, December, and some of it is he liked the concepts and the players were familiar with it. He's got a really wide background of offensive philosophies from which to draw. And certainly how he calls a game may be quite different than how Rees would have called a game with this 2023 personnel. And you're right, some of the tweaks were indeed based on having more dynamic wide receivers and an elite, experienced QB. Keep in mind too this is Marcus Freeman's vision for the offense as well. He has much stronger opinions and ideas about the offensive in year 2 as a head coach than he had in year 1.

Tim Thompson

1:05

Nantucket, Mass. Hi all, is the offense we will see the Brian Kelly/Tommy Rees model tweeked by G. Parker or did he develop his own playbook from”scratch”, bearing in mind that most teams run a common set of plays but sequence them in myriad ways, based on personnel and analysis of opposing defenses.

Eric Hansen

1:05

I think the challenge is similar to what it typically is with Navy. They never put out the same plays and nuances from one year to the next, even making adjustments in game. So there are always some surprises to deal with. And if they can play with the lead, they can limit your possessions. ND will have to make adjustments on the fly, which they DID NOT do last year. ... ND will certainly reinforce your premise regarding O-line recruiting on social media, but it was a stronger message when Harry Hiestand was back. Joe Rudolph didn't coach those players, though he did have plenty of eventual pros when he was at Wisconsin and played in the NFL himself. So, as Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, etc., make their way to the NFL, he'll have his own selling point.

1:00

Thank you, Jim. The compliment alone probably fatigued your fingers. So, let's unpack all the elements here. We had longtime Navy beat writer Bill Wagner on our Inside ND Sports Podcast on Wednesday, and we talked extensively about this and some of your other questions if you'd like more depth than my chat answer. The two QBs are closer in skill set than maybe your interpretation. Navy is looking to add a quick passing game to its triple-option bread and butter. So yes, there will be some blind-date elements here. But ND DC Al Golden may have some surprises as well. On defense, new head coach Brian Newberry elevated linebackers coach P.J. Volkers to take Newberry's old DC spot. This will be their seventh season coaching together, so expect things to remain schematically similar. (more)

Jim, Oakwood, OH

12:52

Hi Eric, Thanks as always for your excellent, extensive, and prescient reporting regarding ND Football. I see from some early reporting out of Annapolis that Navy plans to use 2 quarterbacks (a sophomore and a senior) with different but complimentary skill sets; and continue to use the triple-option offense with "additional wrinkles." Also, they have a new HC who was the DC and he's added a new OC who used a spread option offense at FCS Kennesaw State. Seems like one of your famous "blind dates" for the Irish especially since there is no film on Navy or the new OC. I did not see mention of the new DC - is Coach Newberry doing both roles? What problems for the Irish do you foresee, that are different from years past, regarding both the offensive and defensive side of the ball? And a quick comment: do you think that prospective OL recruits to ND will take note that two of the top 3 income earners for interior OL in the NFL came from ND: "Q" Nelson and Zach Martin after his recent reworked Cowboy's contract?

Eric Hansen

12:52

Thank you, Frank. Marcus Freeman said Nolan Ziegler was at practice for Saturday's closed scrimmage. He did not say whether he even went through stretching. The media had their two final viewing windows of the preseason/season this week on Tuesday and Wednesday. We did not see him either day. Ziegler is attending to a personal off-the-field situation in which he's requested privacy. Freeman said he expects him to rejoin the team this season.

Frank from Royse City, Texas

12:49

Eric, love these chats. My question, is Nolan Ziegler now practicing with the team

Eric Hansen

He would not have been guaranteed to start in 2024 and/or 2025, but he would have had the inside track to do so.

12:49

Hi David. I've followed Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne's preseason journeys only recently give my responsibility to the actual ND beat and its players. I realize there is interest in what happens to transfers -- especially ones this high profile, and I plan to do a catchup on all of them between the Navy and Tennessee State games. So let me get to your questions. Let's start with the bottom line. What would be my advice to Tyler Buchner if I were someone he actually should listen to: I'd tell him to keep working hard, keep learning the offense and be ready for his chance. If he wants to re-evaluate the decision to come to Alabama, August is not the time to do it. December is. From what I am hearing, he does not have a very good chance at starting the opener and may be No. 3 at that point. But we'll see. I don't know that anyone has a lock on their place in the pecking order. I do think his best move post-spring at ND would have been to stay and learn from Sam Hartman for a year. (more)

David - NY

12:35

As always, thanks so much for these chats! My question: With Alabama insiders seeming to all be circling Jalen Milroe at 1 and Ty Simpson at 2 I'm really starting to feel for Buchner. We are sort of in the worst-case scenario of what could have happened with the transfer to Alabama and sort of what made many scratch their heads on the decision in the first place. Have to kept your ear to the ground on this? Any rumblings from the Buchner camp? I just see such a talented kid who needed to wait only one more year and learn from one of the most accomplished QBs in CFP history to then have 2 guaranteed years starting at ND. With return to ND off the table and the door seemingly closed to start at Alabama what would your advice to Tyler be?

Eric Hansen

12:35

Oh Jonathan, a question that restricts one of my possible answers. A bold move indeed -- and I love it. ... I think Notre Dame's proficiency in the deep passing game, without turning it over, puts more pressure on Navy than any other factor. 1) It will open up the run as well, against the nation's No. 2 run defense last season and one that returns 9 starters. 2) It may force Navy out of its ball-control/limited possessions comfort zone. 3) It forces Navy to have to convert third downs at a high rate and commit no turnovers themselves.

Jonathan in Addison, TX

12:31

Hello again, Eric! Getting so close to week one! What do you see as the more important team attributes when facing a squad like this Navy team, stout defensive linemen? Experienced linebackers? Corners who are reliable one-on-one? A high-powered offense that can put scoreboard pressure on that triple-option offense? Some other quality I can’t think of? And do these Irish have em? Hoping for more of a commitment from you than “all the above” so I can praise your prognosticating afterwards.

Eric Hansen

12:31

Terry, thanks for the hypothetical freebies. Sports writers have a weakness for anything free, especially the promise of three beers! The way the front seven has played in spring and then this training camp -- and what I think may be coming from the defense that they were careful not to show too much of -- convinced me to change my thoughts about the upper limits for this team to 11-1, but I still think the most likely outcome, barring injury, is 10-2. That prediction was made with zero beers affecting it.

Guest

12:28

HEY Eric, Terry from SD. Heading to Dublin Monday. Wishing you could be there!!!!!!! I would buy you a beverage or three!!!!!!I have a REALLY good feeling about this season. Barring major injuries, I say 11-1 and think they can run the table. What say you!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

12:28

Hi Patrick. I think you may see more than four guards against Tennessee State on Sept. 2 and likely get to at least the No. 2s on Sept. 16 against Central Michigan, but you also want to measure that this early in the season against the benefit of all five starters playing as many game reps as possible TOGETHER, to build chemistry. If you're asking will this be a timeshare situation at those positions, new O-line coach Joe Rudolph told me he'd prefer not to do that. ... Pat Coogan was a three-star recruit who I think Jeff Quinn was tepid about, Harry Hiestand really liked and Rudolph also seems to be impressed with. He gives you a nice blend of bruising physicality and assignment-correctness. His leap over Billy Schrauth, who has a bring future regardless, is still stunning.

Patrick from Los Angeles

12:21

Do you think all four offensive guards will see action before Ohio State, and why do you believe Coogan has ascended?

Eric Hansen

12:21

As far as Deion Colzie, I would not write him off. I see a much more confident player than when he arrived and one who is started to put together more consistent stretches. I think being away from family and success not coming easily early was a shock to his system at first. He pushed through the urge to transfer and dedicated himself to getting better, and I think we'll start to see more of the fruits of that labor this season. Chris is only in his fourth year and only will have five years, but I didn't get the vibe from talking to him that he's planning on being in school next year. His hope and ambition is that the position change will give his NFL hopes some serious traction... And thank YOU for your questions.

12:17

Hi Marie. Let me preface my answer by saying during training camp sometimes, we in the media may be prone to overreach at times, where a single drill rep or even how a guy is stretching one day can be extrapolated to big-picture significance when it has no business being more than just a very small part of a small sample size. I am bullish on this wide receiver group being an improvement over the collective group ND put on the field last season. They're faster, deeper, more athletic and they have a quarterback who can get them the ball. Perhaps what you're interpreting as tempering is there are unknowns about them. Tobias Merriweather has one career catch. Chris Tyree is at a new position. You'd expect the freshmen to be ready for the bright lights, but you never know for sure until it happens. You never know who's stomach won't agree with colcannon and champ. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:06

Hi Eric, I hope you’ve had a great week. You must be getting excited about the season. There was a lot of enthusiasm about the receivers in the spring, and now that seems most recently to have been tempered. In what area specifically do you feel The receivers are falling short ? There was a lot of enthusiasm when Colzie signed as a recruit, why do you feel he has been unable to meet his potential? If Chris Tyree has a good year and really looks like he’s a serious wide receiver. Do you think he would consider staying for a sixth year in an attempt to raise his stock? As always, thanks for hosting the chat, and for your great insights.

Eric Hansen

Off we go.

Here are the rules:

12:05