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

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 3, 2022

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Joanne from Atlanta

2:06

Hi Eric, welcome back from a well-deserved vacation I hope you had a great time. If the Ohio State game was today, please predict the starting lineup. With the changes happening in college football are you at all concerned about the future of the game? Unregulated NIL is bad enough but now the push to let kids transfer as much as they want without any penalty very much concerns me. One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about college football was all the non-NFL players who were playing for their school, this will completely eliminate that dynamic and make it feel more like the NFL where the players are out for themselves instead of their team . I know many people who have been pretty steady college football fans who have told me they are completely uninterested this year because of all that is going on. I feel as if college football is cannibalizing itself.What do you think about the whole thing? As always, thanks for your great insights.

Eric Hansen

2:06

Hi NDH. With Mitchell Evans sidellined for the first part of the season, there's a clear path for Kevin Bauman to be the No. 2 tight end. He also has strong challengers in the younger classes. Bauman positioned himself well by getting healthy and having a solid spring. I do think Eli Raridon is going to make the tight end depth chart very interesting. ... As far as the kicking game, I'd expect Grupe's experience will take over at some point and he will be the kicker -- but I'm not ready to push all my chips into the middle of the table on that one yet.

ND Harvey. Philly Pa

2:02

E, ND football is in the air. Big fan of Kevin Bauman, what do you see in the 22 season from him, also who is going to be our kicker, we need consistency from the kicking game. Stay safe. Go Irish

Eric Hansen

2:01

Hi Mike. It was great to get some time to recharge the battery. ... No, Notre Dame does not want to skip taking a quarterback in this cycle. If all else fails, they'd add from the portal. You need quality, but you need quantity too in this day and age of a more liberal transfer policy.

Mike from Quakertown , PA

1:57

Hi Eric! Thanks again for taking our questions. How was your off season? Do you think Notre Dame is comfortable not taking a quarterback this recruiting cycle, or do they continue to pursue one for the 2023 class? Is Buchner, Pyne, Angelli and Carr is 2024 enough for the near future of the program? Thanks for taking our questions!

Eric Hansen

1:55

Tom, the end of your question got cut off, so if there's something important I miss, please resubmit it. As far as the tight end recruiting, keep in mind the rankings of the recruits can change in a hurry ... at tight end especially. Eli Raridon was a three-star prospect and No. 18 tight end nationally when ND offered him a scholarship. He was even lower-ranked by 247Sports (No. 29 tight end). I think he has the chance to be the next great one at ND. Evans and Berrong were both converted QB, which helps account for the lower rankings. So I'd be patient with the two committed tight ends and see where they end up. ND has a really good track record of evaluating. As far as the kicker, Blake Grupe and Josh Bryan have had all summer to address their spring accuracy issues. We'll see very quickly if there's been progress.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:46

Hi Eric, great to be back in Chat season and not far away from Camp and the Season. Hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable summer. I am a little surprised at the ability to recruit Top 10 (by position) TE's on a consistent basis. With the number of TE's we have in the NFL plus the type of offense that we run you would think there would be a real attraction to the top TE's every year. Mayer #3 and Bauman #5 were a great haul. We will see how Raridon #5 and Staes #8 develop. But Berrong was the #35 TE and Evans #26. Recent commits Flanigan, 2023, and Larsen, 2024, were both rated as the #12 TE. Any insight on this?? Second ?, place kicker could be a real roll of the dice this year. Have you had anh

Eric Hansen

1:43

Hey Robb. RBs coach Deland McCullough talked a lot in the spring about different RBs doing different jobs when he had four healthy backs in the spring and Payne on the way. I don't see the philosophy changing with just the three backs for a few weeks. They'll play to each back's strengths. So I'd expect Chris Tyree to get the most carries early on, but not in the realm of Kyren Williams-type volume.

Robb, Colorado

1:36

Welcome back, Eric. Worried about RB depth although I am thinking there are worse #3 backs in the country than Payne. How does Rees manage that workload at least until Diggs gets back?

Eric Hansen

1:35

Zeke Correll did enough in the spring from a technique and strength standpoint that Harry Hiestand was willing to ponder a position change for perhaps the best returning center in the country. Word is Correll continued to add bulk and strength this summer -- two qualities he was lacking last season when Andrew Kristofic overtook him at guard. Can't wait to see him this weekend. As far as Josh Lugg, I think at times playing through injuries has been a factor in his overall consistency. If he's healthy, I expect him to be a starter and an effective one.

1:29

Hi Len. Hope you had a great summer as well ... and seeing as though you live near the ocean, I'm betting yours was superior to mine.... NIL is not limited to charitable endeavors at ND, but that is the mission of the FUND, the collective with which Tom Mendoza and Brady Quinn are involved. There are/will be other collectives with different missions. There's also individual opportunities -- clothing, gear, car dealerships, etc. (more)

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:20

Hello Eric, I am so happy chats are back I hope you are having a great summer. Thanks for hosting. I listened to the podcast. A follow-up question. I know ND is not promising NIL money to recruits but NIL opportunity when enrolled. Will that opportunity only include charitable functions or will other avenues be there for ND athletes? On the O line. Can Zeke Corell at center move people off the ball? Or will teams line up a mobile 290 pound wrestler(think Curly Culp lined up on Mick Tinglehoff in Super Bowl 4) and neutralize our running game? Isn't this move a risk? Can Josh Lugg demonstrate enough ability to keep that guard position? Or do you see him being unseated as a starter?

Eric Hansen

1:19

I can't wait to see Tobias Merriweather. The freshman came to campus in June ready to work and has been impressive. If he can push through the "freshman wall" in camp and beyond, I like his chances to be a significant contributor. Bradon Lenzy is the most likely to surprise. The best WR on the roster? Lorenzo Styles all day long.

Ryan

1:17

Upstate NY. What wide receiver are you most interested in seeing? Who do you think will emerge as the best wr this season

Eric Hansen

1:16

Hi Rog. Going into training camp, I don't think there's any question it's wide receivers and quarterbacks who have the most to prove. Health-wise and performance-wise. The O-line and cornerbacks were in that group too heading into spring, but both made significant progress then. And there's little reason to doubt that the momentum will slow with those positions.

Rog from Saint Louis

1:13

Looking forward to your analyses of the upcoming practice camp. Would like to know what personnel or position groups have the most to prove during camp. Since these are the players that will have direct impact on this years performance. Love the recruiting news, but none of the 23' and 24' recruits will have much impact for 2-3 years from now.

Eric Hansen

1:12

Hi John. I had a great summer. but not to the extent that I changed my name to Matt. At least I don't remember doing that. Xavier Watts is a big part of the plan at safety in 2022 and 2023. Otherwise, he'd be back working at WR. DC Al Golden and Chris O'Leary believe they can go 5-6 deep over the two safety positions. Watts' tackling puts him firmly in that mix with a chance to be a starter next season. The better his coverage gets, the more snaps you'll see him on the field.

John - Elkhorn, Nebraska

1:09

Hello Matt - hope you’ve had a great summer. My question involves Xavier Watts. Do you think this is the year he gets meaningful playing time ? Thanks for the chats - always look forward to them.

Eric Hansen

1:09

A return trip from the Buckeyes next season at Notre Dame Stadium.

Guest

1:08

When Notre Dame plays Ohio state their first game what compensation does ND receive for participating on the road ? Jack Bates Shorewood, Illinois 60404.

Eric Hansen

1:08

Hi Bill. Thanks ... nice to be back. I am finally leaning toward Patterson being at left guard. I would not rule out a U-turn. Harry Hiestand will get his first look at that alignment this weekend, since Patterson missed the spring with an injury. Zeke Correll's surge at center when Patterson was out is the catalyst for the likely O-line shuffle.

Bill from St Joe, MI

1:05

Eric, nice to have the chat back! I know it’s a bit early but where do you see Jarrett Patterson, at center or left guard?

Eric Hansen

1:05

Hi Joe. Thanks for being here. I have not been to Ohio Stadium since 1995, but have friends who go to every game there. I would be prepared to experience what you did at the Tennessee-ND baseball game and multiply that exponentionally. It's not a fan base known for its hugs and its charm. And the late starting time gives them all day to "amplify" that. Having said that, would you rather be anywhere else on Sept. 3?

Joe from KC

12:59

Hi Eric, thanks as always for doing these. I was at the Tennessean super regional game 3 and that was quite hostile especially after the 7th inning. I will also be at the OSU game week one, how do you see that environment/fans being especially considering late kickoff?

Eric Hansen

12:58

My read is much different than yours with regard to momentum and what's still ahead in the 2023 cycle, provided the Irish hold on to the 20 commits they already have. The Irish sit atop the Rivals 2023 team rankings (and 2024 too) with three Irish targets announcing their college decisions in the next three days -- LB Jaden Ausberry Thursday, S Ben Minich Friday and RB Dylan Edwards on Saturday. It would not surprise me if ND got all three. So that puts the Irish at 23. And yes they can go over 25. They'd still like to add RB Jeremiyah Love, WR Ronan Hanafin, an edge player (Samual M'Pemba or Tennessee commit Caleb Herring) and they'd like to flip Pitt QB commit Kenny Minchey. I'd say they have the best chance of landing Love among that group and none of them are slam dunks. I suppose that's where you get into backup plans. I don't see ND settling at those positions. If they don't find a prospect they like/can build a relationship with if they miss on those guys, they'll peruse the portal after the season.

Lorne

12:44

From Reno, NV. Recruiting momentum seems to have been lost (though Ausberry could help a late surge - is Love still a possibility?) and we are now looking at potential decommitments and "Plan B" or "C" (at QB) targets. Are we getting to the point of holding scholarships for transfers rather than signing players who will never be more than practice team/emergency depth/transfers-in-waiting? I am not a recruiting fatalist -- we are recruiting at a level reminiscent of Holtz's early years -- rather a pragmatist who doesn't want to see scholarships wasted when immediate needs can be met with grad transfers.

Eric Hansen

12:44

You should be able to expand that to see the type a little bit better.

12:43

12:42

Sure. I'll share the media schedule with you, which is pretty complete.

Bob Alvey Loganville, GA

12:42

Any idea where I might be able to find a schedule for fall camp?

Eric Hansen

12:41

It's a fun week, Robert. We're talking to Marcus Freeman on Friday, so we'll get the official word on all of the injuries then. But to address the four you asked about ... I believe the timetable tor Diggs is still sometime during September for a full return, early September for Davis, midseason for Evans and no restricitions for Riordan. ... all subject to change.

Robert K from Sartell Minnesota

12:38

Great Day to be an Irish Fan! Hope you are well, Eric! Quick question: what are you hearing about the availability of some of our injured studs, like Diggs, Davis, Evans, Riordan, etc.

Eric Hansen

12:38

He could make a case to be the No. 1 player in the class regardless of position during his senior season. So his loss would sting even if ND replaces him with a four-star prospect. He's THAT good.

12:37

Hi Rui. I appreciate you and your question. Keon Keeley is a five-star defensive end from Tampa who's been committed to Notre Dame for a little more than 13 months. He took an unofficial visit to Alabama over the weekend and his mom has been quoted as saying he'll likely see a couple of more schools when the visit window reopens in September. I believe the best way to perceive his situation is that ND leads but they'll have to fight all the way to the finish -- the December signing period. Longtime recruiting analyst Tom Lemming is one of several in his industry who believe as much as half the top 100 recruits will switch their commitments during the final few months of the 2023 cycle. NIL will be a factor in SOME, but not all of those decisions. Having said that, let me answer your specific questions. Notre Dame is in position to replace Keeley in terms of numbers, but not in quality. At No. 18 overall in the Rivals player rankings, he's underrated in my opinion ... (more)

Rui from Westchester, NY

12:28

Please tell me that i am totally wrong, lol, but I will not be surprised at all if Keeley changes his commitment to Alabama...how big of a " need type of a recruit " is he for the program at this moment? and how big of a loss will he be should he leave? Appreciate what you do for us fans

Eric Hansen

12:28

Hi Martin. Not true. Somebody is NOT getting an A in math. Isaiah Foskey logged 564 snaps last season. CB Clarence Lewis led all Irish defensive players with 832, followed by LB JD Bertrand (753) and CB Cam Hart (739) . Foskey's more moderate number reflects the Irish depth and the desire to flex it and keep people fresh on the D-Line. The CBs' numbers show how dire the depth situation was at that position group last season and how signficant the emergence of freshman Jaden Mickey is.

Martin in Enfield Ct

12:23

I read that Isaiah Foskey played only 282 snaps last year. If this is true, why so few?

Eric Hansen

12:21

Thanks, John. Vacation was great. Got to spend a lot of time with my six grandkids. No one got bitten, best of all me, so I consider that a rousing success. ... I think the best-case scenario regarding Notre Dame's QBs in 2022 is to play one but have two ready who can win games. Buchner or not, it's not unusual for starting QBs to miss a game or a signicant chunk of an important game. It happened more seasons than not at ND in a dozen years under Brian Kelly. Last year, because of the incomplete skill sets at the time of Jack Coan and Tyler Buchner, a two-QB system was a necessity. This season that dynmamic doesn't exist. By the way, I'm presuming Buchner as the starter even though he hasn't been officially named as such yet.

johngipp Lititz, pa

12:12

Hey Eric, hope you had a good vacation. With Buchner's injury history, is it feasible to adopt a two qb system in ND's offensive structure? I know this is not a most desirable scenario, but with ankle injuries walking steps and jumping in the air (see VA Tech), a full season of play would seem farfetched. Is this a practical solution?

Eric Hansen

12:12

OK on to the questions ....

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