JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Aug. 5, 2026

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Aug. 5, 2026

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Eric Hansen

3:13

OK, I didn't make it through the entire question portal, but I've got more assignments beckoning. Thanks for all the great questions. We are back in weekly mode and in almost every instance we will be doing these on Wednesdays at noon ET. THE EXCEPTION comes next week. Because of a coverage conflict, the next live chat will be THURSDAY, Aug. 13 at noon ET. See you then.

3:06

THAT is the question of the day. I laughed so hard, my sides hurt. Maybe over a beer, we can discuss!

Dave P. Toms River,NJ

3:06

Would you be able to go more in-depth on Jack's magic sofa? Thanks

Eric Hansen

3:05

USC didn't get out of a contract. It simply was not renewed when it came to the end of the lastest one. Not sure ND wanted to fight IU cancelling, because it benefitted ND.

Paul from FL

3:05

So IU can just cancel, no penalties? USC same deal?

Eric Hansen

3:04

Who cares? It's back. And it took Indiana cancelling its series to create the opening.

Guest

Although happy to that the USC game is back in 2030...it does appear to be a knee bender with ND saying okay to week 1 in 2030 and 2031...plus in the first three weeks in 32 and 33...which could also be week 1. No one had mentioned that and now Lincoln R can toot his horn and say that we offered than from the start.

3:04

Bob in Bermuda

Eric Hansen

3:03

Nothing. What ND does on the field this year matters more than any of that stuff.

Guest

3:03

Gabe- Walkerton, IN It seems over this offseason, ND has lost the media battle in that while USC clearly backed out, USC was able to convince a large portion of people it was ND's fault along with the whole Pete B. and ACC irreparable damage that turned to nothing. Do you think this is something or nothing?

Eric Hansen

3:02

Patrick !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!&^%$##
Junior Tuihalamaka is the only one I am hearing, and it's not a done deal. So stay tuned. All of the running backs are underclassmen, so that's an easy one. Did you mean true freshmen? Of those two, I would say Jonaz Walton is the more likely early contributor.

Patrick from Boulder

3:00

ERIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....!!!!!!!....!!!!! Three questions for you this morning. With the recent court ruling regarding eligibility, is ND exploring any roster additions? I believe I saw something about Junior Tuihalamaka potentially being in the mix - is that true and are there any others? Also, of the underclassmen RBs, who do you see making the biggest impact this season? Thanks as always for these chats!

Eric Hansen

3:00

9:45 a.m., and please bring us both a coffee!

Ed, Sayville NY

3:00

Hi Eric, I’m willing to intern. What time do we observe practice tomorrow?

Eric Hansen

3:00

Hi Jon. It's his talent. Notre Dame has six tight ends on the roster. All but fellow freshman Preston Fryzel have more experience than him. In talking to sources this summer, they were blown away, and Marcus Freeman said something similar on the record when we spoke to him in late July.

Jon C - Bellaire, OH

2:58

Hi Eric - thank you, as always, for taking the time to answer these questions. I feel like there is no time of the year where t there is more anticipation than the days prior to camp starting. I've noticed you've mention Ian Premer a couple times in the chat. Its almost a foregone conclusion he's going to be a contributor, it seems. Is that a reflection of TE depth or his talent?

Eric Hansen

2:58

Hi Matt! I think the CFP selection committee needs to be given that directive. If I were in charge, this would be a point of emphasis. It certainly weighs into how I vote for teams in the AP poll.

Matt from Muscatine

2:57

Hi Eric! How do you view arguments about needing to consider strength of schedule more for the CFP in light of Indiana dropping ND and Texas considering it? Last year, Alabama was given the benefit of the doubt based, in part, on SOS, while Texas Tech had a very weak schedule. Both teams were exposed. Thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:55

Hi Don. I not only think it's deep, I think it's a team that put a lot of throught and hard work into showing its full potential early in the season and then continuing to push that ceiling, rather than one that struggled a bit early, then found it's stride later.

Don in Scottsdale, AZ

2:54

Eric, Hope all is well. All seems pretty darn good for ND this summer and fall. It seems like the only vulnerable spot is backup to Carr. Is the team as strong as I think it is or am I projecting my enthusiasm. This team appears to be able to go deep and maybe all the way. Am I seeing this correctly?

Eric Hansen

2:54

Hi RK, thanks for the plug on the book Blue & Gold has coming out, called The Gold Standard. I'll provide some info on who to get it in the transcript. ... To your question, I think the three things Marcus Freeman would like to see this preseason is a clear and viable No. 2 QB option emerge, more than one strong options at nickel. And continue healing for OL Charles Jagusah, who will miss training camp. ... As far as the RBs, I think ND's running attack will be better than a lot of people are expecting, and I think it likely will go three deep this year.

RK from Minnesota

2:51

Looking forward to the book. What are the three things that you hope to see during the preseason campaign? Also, will you be surprised if Williams and Young become Love and Price Part Deux?

Eric Hansen

2:51

Hi James. There are so many choices here, which is one reason why the Irish are a top 5 preseason team. Leonard Moore already has that distinction. And I believe the Irish will have more than one this year. But I will single out Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Brauntae Johnson.

James Placitas, New Mexico

Thanks for the exciting overture to the new season Each year Notre Dame welcomes a wonderful scholar/All American Who fits that description on Notre Dame’s football Roster?

2:48

Dear Eric,

Eric Hansen

2:48

Hi Ryan, not sure when the announcement will come, but I think that's a really good stab at who's very much in the running.

Ryan Frankfort Illinois

2:47

Good afternoon Eric with camp starting tomorrow when will see who is named captains my guess is CJ Carr Anthonie Knapp Leonard Moore Adon Shuler and Drayk Bowen GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

2:47

Ed, thank you for the research. I did not know that. You can be my intern this week if you are willing?

Ed, Sayville NY

2:46

Hi Eric. So your recent reference to St. Viator College has sent me down the rabbit hole. Did you know that St. Viator athletic teams were known as the Shamrocks, and also as the Irish? Obscure for sure, but fun nonetheless.

Eric Hansen

2:46

That's not a question or a manifesto, so I will let it stand.

Irishcajun

2:46

if the SEC again doesn’t even make it to the National Championship game then I think it’s time to finally admit that the SEC teams are good but not the superior league we were all brainwashed to believe.

Eric Hansen

2:45

Mike/Mo (secret punctuation handshake) !!^!!
Welcome back. Champ Monds brings a running dimension that CJ Carr does not have. Not that VJ is immobile. It's just a different skill set. Monds has elite arm talent as well. Notre Dame believes he has the potential to develop into a QB who can operate at a high level in the pre-snap chess game, something CJ Carr is miles ahead of most other QBs at ND and a lot of other places.

Mike AKA "Mo" from Maumee OH

2:42

Eric!!^^!!! I've been lurking for several months- haven't had any questions worth asking. But I am curious about your thoughts of 2027 QB commit "Champ" Monds IV. Before he reclassified from 2028 to 2027, he was the #2 ranked player and the #1 QB of that class. If Carr is the Gold Standard, how do you see Monds' skill set (so far) compared to Carr's? Given that Monds was injured much of his soph season (I think), is it too soon to put him on a pedestal, based on that class of 2028 ranking? Thanks!!

Eric Hansen

2:42

JJ, how would you like to come and mow my lawn? Hmmmm? Hmmmmm? I think the second part of that math problem is likely more accurate, because they will create opportunities for each other and force tough decisions for opposing defensive coordinators on where they want to commit their resources. But the four who could all eclispe 500 receiving yards are Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, and I think there will be times where you will see all four together.

JJ - Bushwood CC (New Jersey)

2:40

Ahoy Eric!!! I hope the frescas are keeping you cool this summer... It seems like the consensus is that the offense will be carried by Carr and the passing game this year, even if there are a lot of unknowns in the receiving corps outside of Faison. I know you like math problems about as much as the lawyers I work with, but bear with me... Do you think it's more likely that ND has it's first 1,000 yard receiver in some time, or that four different players rack up more than 500 receiving yards? And who are the most likely candidates? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

2:39

They had a very good summer, including the tight ends. And some of the physicality ND lacked in short yardage is back with the emergence of James Flanigan at tight end and the re-emergence of Cooper Flanagan at tight end. If you'd like more depth, I wrote about this at length earlier this week: Setting the offensive agenda in Notre Dame training camp: O-line remains front and center

Bob Sypolt

2:35

I would like to know how well the offensive line is progressing including the TE.

Eric Hansen

2:35

Hi Glenn. Some of it depends on the game, and on the circumstances within a game. I tend to watch the ball most of the time. But, for instance, in last year's ND-USC game I wanted to focus at times on the battle between USC slot receive Makai Lemon and ND's All-America CB, Leonard Moore, matched up against him playing nickel. There are times I'll focus on a particular offensive lineman in a matchup in a series of downs, or the same thing on defense. I can always watch the instant replay of where the ball goes. I can't always see those matchups on replay.

Glenn from Santa Monica, CA

2:32

Us fans typically watch CFB on TV by watching where the ball is and flows. How do you watch a game and why?

Eric Hansen

2:32

I grouped these two questions together, since they are looking for similar answers. And thanks to you both!! We'll see where Loghan Thomas is with his weight when we get an updated roster Thursday (or at least that's the expectation). But the most recent roster release had him at 215 pounds on a 6-3 frame. Yes, there's a possiblity Madden Faraimo will be the only member of the five-man rotation back next season. But there are some good young linebackers developing, and ND could also add from the portal at that position for the first time. I'm not sure Thomas is a fit at linebacker, beyond his size. He has played four coverage snaps in his career. He could be a niche package linebacker, but I would think ND would want someone with a wider skill set to play against today's offenses. Great thought and question, though.

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