JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 3, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 3, 2022

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Eric Hansen

3:20

OK, that's going to do it for today. I've got to run to another commitment. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all again next Wednesday at noon ET.

3:19

If ND can hold onto Keeley and Bowen, I'd be shocked if ND doesn't finish top 5.

Jay Granger IN

3:18

looks like we are starting to go for quantity over quality again as recruiting winds down. I get why it happens when you go against the traditional powers. Questions for you. How do we change it? I’m predicting a 5 - 10 final class ranking all said and done.

Eric Hansen

3:18

That's my thinking as well.

Bill from St Joe, MI

3:17

Eric, count me as optimistic regarding the offense due in large part to an improved offensive line (Two excellent tackles, and Patterson wherever he’s finally slottedAdd to that

Eric Hansen

3:17

ND is prepared, but you would hate to lose players of that caliber, nonetheless.

Glenn - Santa Monica

3:17

Eric, Our top 2 defense players flipping is a concern but are we not prepared? Al Washington was accustomed to these battles as Ohio State as well as Al Goden at Miami. Is this not the case?

Eric Hansen

3:17

Ced, the part of your question I'm clear on is of the CBs you mentioned, I expect Mickey to be in the playing rotation at OSU. I'm not sure how to answer the question about WR and RB reps, because I don't understand what you're asking me. Sorry.

cederickwalker

3:15

ced walker saginaw michigan home notre dame basketball great tory jackson will bo barnes , jaden mickey , phillip riley chance tucker do u think they will get reps vs ohio st how much reps do u think our rb and wr will have in practice the golden standard rally we are nd go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen

3:14

Circling back to Robert K's question about the portal ... ND is done with the portal until after the season.

3:13

He's so different from everyone else ... I'll say no one recently. So maybe all the way back to Kevin McDougal. Maybe. ... Second question ... Maybe CB Jaden Mickey, maybe Merriweather, maybe Raridon in two-tight end sets.

Jerry

3:08

Jerry, Dallas. Eric, two questions: Who of recent past ND quarterbacks do you expect Buchner's first year under center to be comparable to and who do you think will be starting late in the season that won't be starting in September. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

3:08

Hi Joey. That's kind of the nature of college football. You lose players from one year to the next. That's why recruiting at a high level is so important. Yes, I do think ND's offense will eventually exceed 35.ppg, not by a lot, but I think it will, because ND will be better balanced offensively.

Joey G. Philadelphia,Pa

3:05

Hi Eric, Looking at ND’s returning offense I don’t see much production returning from last year’s team. No returning QB threw for over 300 yds. No returning RB rushed for over 300 yds. No WR caught over 35 passes. An offensive line that was porous and only played better against weaker competition at end of year. Breaking in new kickers. Do you think this year’s squad will match the 35 pts a game avg from last year’s team? And aside from Mayer who do you see leading team in TD’s?

Eric Hansen

3:03

Offer letters

and Airport Greeting. Chad is the one in the cowboy hat in the video.

3:01

Hi Jeff. I see what ypou did there. Fortunately, there's such a strong bond between Freeman and Bowden (theycame together from UC in 2021) that it's going to be hard to pry Bowden loose from ND... As far as creativity, the Men in Black theme back on a January junior day recruiting event is a good example. ND staffers dressed in suits like the main characters in the movie and surrounded the recruits cars as they pulled up in sub-freezing weather. ... There's the elaborate official offer "letters" and the greetings at the airport. I'll include those here via Twitter.

Jeff from Phoenix

2:55

Eric, welcome back! Its great to be chatting again and am trying to curb my enthusiasm for Sept 3. In your article on the seven storylines heading into ND camp, you called director of recruiting Chad Bowden "innovative". Recruiting is going so well, so can you add a couple comments on how he is innovative? Other than Freeman of course, off the field could he considered the most important guy for future ND football success? He has to be a sought after person for other programs, so do you think ND can retain him? Much thanks-

Eric Hansen

2:49

Keeley is WAY better than Robert Beal, but I can see some parallels. I'm not sure Keeley knows what he's going to do, but I'll take a stab at your question and say yes.

Sean Schaumburg, IL

2:48

Keon Keeley stays committed-yes/no? Losing him would sting. Bad. Reminds me a bit of Robert Beal. Committed early. Went to UGA. Not nearly as highly rated. Losing Keeley would feel worse.

Eric Hansen

2:48

I'll start with ... they both better be at the top of their games. OC Tommy Rees has the more unproven unit of ND's two, but he's going against an Ohio State defense that ranked 59th in total defense last season. DC Al Golden's unit is much further along in its development, deeper too. But he has to face the team that finished No. 1 in total offense last season. Having said all of that. I think Rees is going to have to overcome bigger challenges on game night for Notre Dame to have a chance to leave Columbus with a victory and save that city's couches.

2:42

OK, I've got to shake the rust here. Let me take Joe's question, then Robert's.

Joe Capuana

2:41

Joe Capuana from Massapequa, NY Which Coordinator has to perform better on 9/3 for ND to beat OSU ?

Robert K frim Sartell MN

2:41

Will Notre Dame pursue Emeka Mgweh, Washington RB, in portal??

Joe Capuana

2:41

Joe Capuana from Massapequa , NY

Eric Hansen

2:40

Never say never, but I don't anticipate that happening. However, you need to check out our Inside ND Sports podcast. Also, we''ll be adding content on our YouTube channel, like live shows, at some point this season. So stay tuned.

Dudley, South Bend

2:39

Eric, even though you are not with the SB Trib anymore, any chance we will be able to hear you on Sportsbeat this season?

Eric Hansen

2:39

Adam, you're like the water in the hose when it's finally unkinked. Whoosh. This is very very close to violating the 17-part question limit, but I love your enthusiasm and you're from Dayton, so I will try to do my best to wade through this. 1) With Dante Moore, I think ND contracted the board too quickly with regard to its 2023 options. And to be honest, reading the NIL factor in this cycle was an contnnues to be a challenge. 2) I think ND has played the board smartly at other positions. They expand when they need to expand, and have other candidates in mind when that happens. I like the aggression, though, of going after players like Caleb Downs and Richard Young and getting them on campus, even if they picked someone else. 3) Game I'm most excited for? C'mon now Adam, I think you can answer that one without my help. OK, I'm convinced you finished your last two questions during Happy Hour -- it's the same question LOL. My answer -- the playoff game.

Adam (Dayton, OH)

2:29

I always hit send to fast haha...a few questions. 1.) Recruiting. We all see that Freeman and staff are doing things not seen since Holtz on the trail. that being said, the Keeley and Bowen situations do not look great. And quarterback, while not necessarily wrong to hone in on Dante Moore, it is fair to question the "eggs in one basket strategy". That being said, is Freeman learning more lessons to recruit at the highest level? The game is different that before with NIL and committing so many years in advance (a lot of time to change before signing day). Does Freeman need have to have bigger boards going forward? Even upon securing a verbal from a Keeley-type player, do you still work to get visits from other top 100 defensive ends because there is always danger of a "flip"? I'm babbling, but basically, as good as Freeman has been on the trail, can he improve? 2.) What game are you most excited for? If you could choose any game to win, what would it be? If you could choose any game not to lose, which one?

Eric Hansen

2:29

Tom, thank you for sharing that ... and sorry for you loss.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:29

Eric, as I mentioned to you, Paul Duncan's parents and sister attend the same parish as I do and we have become friends. I attended the wake and funeral and talked with Sam Young and Brady Quinn at the wake. There were probably 8-10 players at the funeral Mass which was nice to see and I know the family appreciated all their support. The ND mantra of not for 4 years but for 40 years does not just apply to a student-athlete's ability to earn a living after graduation but rather the strong bond that Irish players develop among each other. Sam was saying how some people just do not the special bond that ND players and alumni develop and nurture. I am sure that this is a big recruiting pitch. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:28

Hi John. Assuming Ohio State is No. 1, I think Clemson in November, wtih its defense, could be a problem.

John, New York

2:28

Hi Eric, hope all is well. What do you think will be the second most challenging game on the schedule?

Eric Hansen

2:27

Hi Tom. Glad to have you back. Depending upon how soon Harry Hiestand retires -- and he just unretired and is loving life -- your premise is plausible. Certainly if not an immediate successor then an eventual one, depending upon the timing. I'm not sure what your criticism of Jeff Quinn entailed, but let me say this. He was a way above-average recruiter. I think he was an above-average O-line coach. But Harry Hiestand arguably is the best of this generation. So in comparison to that, it's easy to criticize and justify it.

Tom from Grand Rapids

2:20

Eric, been away for a while. Glad to be back. With Chris Watt returning to ND under H.H do you see him as the protégé that could step in and take reins when H.H retires to keep the continuity and keep the O-line delivering the punishment rather than taking it. I was critical of J.Q was that fair of me?

Eric Hansen

2:20

Yes, Brian. There are some significant ones. You can read all about them all here. Let me touch on two of them, one of which you mentioned. There is now an appeals process for targeting ... not within the game. But if a player is going to have to sit out the next game as a result of the call, teams can appeal that part of the punishment. ... Also there's going to be potential consequences for players/teams faking injuries to stop the clock or slow the tempo within a game.

Brian SouthBend

2:17

Hey Eric, Are there any rule changes that fans will notice on the field when the season kicks off? More specifically, has the targeting rule been changed at all? Thanks

Eric Hansen

2:15

Unlimited transferring (one step further than it is now) and unchecked NIL is troubling. I think there's good sides to more liberal transfers and NIL as it was intended, but I do think a culture shift may happen with those things abused. It flies in the face of what I love about college football. I'm willing to be patient, though, and see if there are some self-corrections.

2:12

Buchner at QB; Tyree at RB; Mayer at TE; Styles, Lenzy and (surprise) Merriweather at WR. O-line from LT to RT: Alt, Patterson, Correll, Lugg, Fisher.
Foskey, Jayson Ademilola, Lacey, Mills at D-line; Kiser, Liufau, Bertrand at LB. Hart, Lewis and Bracy (nickel) at CBs; Joseph and Brown at safety. (more)

2:07

Joanne, the requirements of me in this question really does mean vacation is over. And I love it. Ready to live football. In predicting the starting lineup, I am omitting injured players. So ...

Joanne from Atlanta

2:06

As always, thanks for your great insights.

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