JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 6, 2020 | 8/6/2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 6, 2020

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Eric Hansen

2:26

That's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again later this month.

2:25

Thank you, and I appreciate you.

Jason - Kalamazoo

2:25

Thank you. Great point. I appreciate all you do.

Eric Hansen

2:17

I think Tommy will surprise his critics with his game plans and his coaching. I think where he is unproven is on the recruiting trail with offensive prospects beyond QBs.

cool

1

Jason - Kalamazoo

2:16

Do you feel Tom Rees is going to surprise poeple in his first year of OC? It seems he and Ian Book are a good fit.

Eric Hansen

2:12

Last call

2:11

As far as I can tell, it was 1953 (Dec. 5) against SMU.

2:08

I'm going to look that up.

Charley from Ridgeland

2:08

When was the last time a December game was played in Notre Dame Stadium?

Eric Hansen

2:07

I do think they'll have a very good D-line this year and be very deep at all four positions. Being good run-stoppers (which takes more than the D-line) is the next evolutionary step for Clark Lea's defense, and I expect to see a significant stride in that direction. Pass rushers? Ogundeji, Hayes, Foskey, Oghoufo and Justin Ademilola on the edge. They'll also get some push inside and from the linebackers, particularly Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

Lee from Lancaster.SC

2:03

Notre Dame's defense has always played best when it had a dominant defensive line that could both stop the run and apply pressure on the quarterback. Will they have a dominant defensive line this year? Who are they counting on to rush the passer?

Eric Hansen

2:02

The only one I know of who hadn't as of early last week was Alexander Ehrensberger, though he was expected to arrive from Germany by now. Isaiah Robertson wasn't on the roster in the spring and I expect won't be on the fall roster.

Frank Serra

2:00

Has any players not returned to campus?

Eric Hansen

2:00

Carter Karels, our recruiting guy, thinks Notre Dame will get him.... and that's Rocco as in Rocco Spindler, one of the top interior offensive line prospects in the country. He makes his announcement Saturday.

Pat from St Paul

1:59

Do we get Rocco? :-)

Eric Hansen

1:53

Notre Dame is technically five over the 85 limit, if you include former walk-ons Colin Grunhard and Mick Assaf. Usually, schools have to be at 85 by the first day of fall-semester classes. That comes up on Monday. But the last time I talked to Brian Kelly about it, he was confident all schools would get some sort of reprieve, at least a temporary one, because most schools had no or very limited spring practice. .. as to the transfer rule, this is why there's movement toward a one-time transfer exemption for everyone -- to bring some consistency to the process.

Rick from Kalamazoo

1:49

Hi Eric, not sure if we will have a fall or spring season yet, but isn't ND still two players over on the roster? Do not mind if Phil Jurkovich plays against the Irish but if he can why did Alohi Gilman have to sit a year, maddening!!

Eric Hansen

1:49

Losing Kevin Austin is tough, but as I mentioned there is depth and some interesting WR options. The positives are a third-year starter at QB and five starters on the offensive line returning. The biggest question, even with Austin out, is the running back group on offense. Given how strong I expect ND's defense to be, I think there will be enough firepower on offense to get the Irish into November without a loss.

andy from Ponte vedra

1:46

Hello from Florida! ND, with the exception of the OL, looks very average on offense. Kevin Will Notre Dame be able to generate enough offense to stay undefeated when Clemson comes to town?

Eric Hansen

1:45

Henry, thank you for being here. These are fun for me, even though today I kind of wish I had a crystal ball.

Henry from Stockton

1:44

Hi Eric. Thanks for having the chats. It’s important on a lot of levels during this pandemic.

Eric Hansen

1:44

Let me address Michael Carmody, a freshman offensive tackle. I really like the long-term potential of both freshman OTs, Carmody and Tosh Baker. I do not see either of them playing much if all this season. That's kind of the nature of their positions. Beyond long snapper, Alex Peitsch, the freshmen in best position to impact the team in 2020 are Chris Tyree, Michael Mayer and Jordan Johnson. ... and maybe Xavier Watts and Rylie Mills.

Ryan mars pa

1:39

Hi Eric what do you think of the upcoming freshman this year like carmody and everyone else

Eric Hansen

1:39

Kevin Austin is ND's best receiver. Period. End of sentence. That said there is really good depth and a variety of other options. If all goes well, he would be available, notably, for the tough November games with Clemson and North Carolina.

Henry from Stockton

1:38

Eric. My question: is there anyone on the roster with the ability to replace Austin?

Eric Hansen

1:37

Marie, thank you. I hope you all are safe as well. If I understand your question correctly, if the season doesn't happen at all, I do not think eligibility will be extended to players who's eligibility would have been exhausted, nor do I think the 85-scholarship limit would expanded. Why? Money. Even though it would make ethical/logical sense to do so, with the crippling loss in income, adding extra scholarships isn't something schools would want to do.

Marie from Atlanta

1:29

Hi Eric, I hope you are staying safe and doing well. In the event that football does not happen this year, or the season is truncated so that a year of eligibility is not lost, which players do you think ND would be the most interested in trying to get to return, and which players do think might have a mutual interest? Do you foresee the NCAA possibly increasing the scholarship limit next year to accommodate players due to the unprecedented situation of Covid. Thanks for your input and for hosting the chat.

Eric Hansen

1:28

Of course, but part of that being a conference championship could get them into the playoff.

Lee from Lancaster.SC

1:27

Playing for a conference championship seems to be important to the Irish basketball, soccer, hockey teams etc. Obviously, the primary goal is to win a national championship. However, do you think the Irish football will be motivated by the unique opportunity to win a conference championship?

Eric Hansen

1:26

It should be the 12th, based on the date of the opener. I expect confirmation on that soon.

Guest

1:26

when do training camp start at nd ced saginaw michigan

Eric Hansen

1:22

The missing pieces to that question that would help me formulate my answer are: Did anyone significant from either side miss the first game because of injury or COVID? The second part, what was the margin of victory in the two games? All things being equal, I would say the team that wins the ACC Championship Game on a neutral field — and thus, wins the conference championship — would have a better résumé in the committee's eyes.

Jim Rundell Lawrenceville. Ga

1:19

Eric thanks for all do keeping everybody up to date on ND football. If we beat Clemson at home but loose in the ACC championship do you think we have a chance to make the playoffs ? And if we loose at home but beat them in the ACC championship do we have a better chance?

Eric Hansen

1:19

I'm going to answer your question as if those things won't exist. I would say, yes, you do need more dependable depth at positions across the board, not just because of positive tests but because there may be more injuries for all teams in 2020 because of the irregular offseason schedules.

1:17

The difficulty in answer almost every one of these question so far is me not having a sense of how the virus will look in a month, two months, three months, next spring. I read yesterday about saliva tests that could get FDA approval soon that can be turned around in a couple of hours and, if mass produced, might be in the $10 range. Those kind of things are game changers.

Bruce from Dayton, Ohio

1:14

Hi Eric. I was wondering what your thoughts are on the way practices and game plan preparations may be held this year. I would think that with the uncertainty of players possibly testing positive throughout the year and missing a game or two that you would want to have many more players involved. It just seems the approach will have to change with the practice reps being spread out among more players and even going a little deeper on the depth chart during the game. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:14

Hi Sue. I'm not sure he or ND would buy into that concept, especially considering Brian Kelly would like to coach three or four more years. Lea could land a head coaching gig after this season, excel and come back. I think that's a more likely scenario.

Sue Kovensky

1:12

SueKo from Hollidaysburg, PA. Eric: Thanks (again) for your thoroughness in covering Irish football! In your humble opinion, is there ANY chance that Clark Lea could be a head coach in waiting at Notre Dame?

Eric Hansen

1:12

Long odds.

Pat from San Quentin

1:12

What are the Irish’s chances at landing Donovan Edwards?

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