JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 7, 2024 | 8/7/2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 7, 2024

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Eric Hansen

OK, that's going to do it for this week. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.

2:55

All good, thanks.

Sean, Schaumburg, IL

2:55

Eric, completely agree Golden and the D have been top notch. Wasn't intended as a slight on Golden/defense/players. Although, that 3rd and 15 blitz in Columbus still eats at me. New concepts/ideas are, usually, given the side eye until proof of concept. Think Don Coryell and the Air Raid. Mike Leach/Hal Mumme tinkered with it and made it their own. Now, all levels of football utilize Air Raid concepts.

Eric Hansen

2:54

Hi Len, thank for resubmitting your question. Yes, I think there are some parallels, although I think the 2018 Michigan team will prove to be better than the 2024 Texas A&M team. I also think this 2024 Irish team has a chance to be better than the 2018 version, and I am not obviously anticipating a QB swap in season. ... That game was a 24-17 game that ND played with the lead in. I see this game finishing with a very similar score and similar stats, especially if ND can play with the lead most of the game.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:49

Hi Eric Question 1 was comparing 2018 opener when ND with Brandon Wimbush starting and beating Michigan who had very good D. Wimbush ran for many key First Downs. And he threw one of my favorite passes ever to a relative unknow, Chris Finke who made a phenomenal grab. Coaches were hesitant to have Ian Book begin his career against Michigan although they could see the change in QB's coming. This year we have a QB who is maybe 70% the runner of BW but a much better passer. And ND is playing a very good Texas A & M D on the road. 2018 had a more experienced O line. 2024 a better defense. Both had good tight ends and unknown wide receivers. And of course 2018 had the advantage of being at home. 2018 had a great offensive and defensive game plans. I am hoping 2024 will also. I am expecting a similar nail biting type of exciting game where every play seems to matter. What is your take on the Texas A & M game? Do you see the similarity in the opening games. Lastly, in 2018 ND made the CFP

Eric Hansen

2:48

FI, this is a lot more in Tyler James' wheelhouse than mine, but I'll try to give you a big-picture answer without getting too far into the weeds. Notre Dame's best potential selling point to rebounding and finishing the 2025 WR cycle strong and making inroads with the 2026s is performance on the field in the passing game/offense with Mike Denbrock and Mike Brown. They have a track record elsewhere. They need to show it at ND in 2024. The Irish have 20 offers out to the 2026 class and most of those prospects are showing mutual interest, One, Dylan Faison, has committed. ...As to your QB question, I don't think ND would take a second 2026 QB but try to flip a 2025 committed QB, and Bear Bachmeier (Stanford) would be among those who would be a fit.

Fighting Irish

Fighting Irish here and I am from Tampa, Florida.

2:41

My question is where do we stand with WR's in the next cycle and who are our biggest targets? Do we have any shot with guys like Devin Carter, Aaron Gregory, Corey Sadler, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Daniel Owen, Naeem Burroughs, Madden Williams, Brody Keefe, Payton Cook, or other kids ranked in the top 250 at WR?

Also, worse case scenario and we lose Knight and don't add another QB this cycle, do we take another one besides Grubbs and if so, who would be the targets?

Eric Hansen

2:41

OK Joe, You threw me with the first part of the question prefacing it with recruiting is wild. So I'm going to answer it a couple of ways. The draw for recruits is pretty obvious ... national titles, NFL Draft picks, rabid fan bases warmer weather. Lots of reasons. What would be the allure for Notre Dame ... there isn't unless their media rights deal put them in a spot to have to join the SEC or Big Ten. And right now that isn't the case. I do like ND's path to the playoff, even if the Irish can only top out as a 5 seed.

Joe from Baltimore

2:33

Recruiting is wild. I have two questions: what is the draw of playing in the SEC? Does ND playing SEC teams nearly every year (with Bama coming soon) lessen the need to play in the SEC? I feel like ND has a slightly easier path to the playoffs each year. Thanks again!

Eric Hansen

2:33

Dave, yes they will mimic it. And even when they're not, they're working on non-verbal communication. I saw the offensive linemen doing it in drills on Tuesday. And it's not a silly question, given how thrown ND seemed to be last year with the noise at DUKE! But Mike Denbrock has coached at Kyle Field, and I believe he'll help with a good gameplan on how to deal with the noise there.

Dave from DC

2:31

Does the program have any tricks to mimic the level of noise that they'll have to deal with at Kyle Field in week 1? It will be unlike anything Freeman has had to deal with, including the horseshoe in 2022.

Eric Hansen

2:31

Hi Patrick. Getting separation against the No. 1 pass-efficiency defense from 2023 nationally is a good litmus test. I think ND has receivers who have the speed to do that (Kris Mitchell at the top of that list, with Jordan Faison and Jayden Harrison among them). Consistency in performance with that speed needs to show itself in games. There are good route runners, who get open because of that ... and physicality, like Jayden Thomas and Jaden Greathouse. Then there's Beaux Collins and Deion Colzie who can catch balls in traffic, Colzie a former standout high jumper and Collins with a 41 1/2-inch vertical leap. A big difference, though, is scheme. Mike Denbrock can scheme receivers open. That's an upgrade in and of itself.

Patrick from Boulder

2:24

Hi Eric - I think my first question may not have made it. Thanks for these chats! They are a highlight of my week. Wondering if you have seen or heard of any WRs separating themselves from the pack at this point. Excited to see what that group can do this year!

Eric Hansen

2:23

Hi Bob. Notre Dame has asked us not to be too specific about when practices are, etc., so I will share what they've shared publicly. I think Marcus said 19 training camp practices heading into game week ... then a typical game week of practices in actual game week heading to A&M.

Bob Loganvile, GA

2:20

Eric, Hope all is going well! Can you share the total number of practices in fall camp and game prep prior to A&M? Do you expect any changes (barring injury) with the current OL prior to A&M?

Eric Hansen

2:20

Hi John. I'm going to give two scores to your first question ... 7 on the running lands, 4 on the pocket. Leonard is mobile, which is a good thing. My confidence that they will be improved by the time they face USC, a 10. Now how much improved, not a 10, but I do think the whole offense will be at its best in November.

John Phoenix, AZ

2:17

Good morning Eric from the scorching desert. On a scale of 0 to 10 what is your confidence level that the O line will be able to create running lanes and provide a good pocket for the A&M game. And what is your confidence level (0 to 10) that they will be improved by the USC game.

Eric Hansen

2:16

Ken, I think it's a fair question to wonder about. But I don't think Aidan Keeanaina would be any higher than third team on this year's squad even with Rubio sidelined. Jason Onye and Donovan Hinish would play ahead of him. The ascender at that position group is sophomore Armel Mukam, a huge surprise and pushing 300. The Irish do have a player of Aidan's size in its freshman class in Sean Sevillano Jr. I was kind of a Keeanaina fan, but post knee-injury perhaps he wasn't the same player. I'm rooting for him at Cal. Hope he does well.

Ken Perkins

2:10

Eric - just a what if, would it have been good to keep Aiden K. NT with Rubio out a few games? His production was good when playing. Howard spoke highly of him. 2 seasons left, just a what if? Guess will see what he does at Cal. Totally understand moving on but been long time since ND had that kind of stout. Saw it on goal line vs western Michigan.

Eric Hansen

2:10

Sean, I did not. I'm into the time of year where outside reading is very difficult to squeeze in unless it's right in my wheelhouse for prep I need to do an interview or write a story. I will try to get to it as soon as I can, and it sounds interesting and I VERY MUCH appreciate you sending it. However, Al Golden last season put together the best defense statistically Notre Dame had since 1980 and is evolving is NFL-based scheme. I think he's found something that works for the Irish on the field and on the recruiting trail ... but good info and ideas are never a bad thing.

Sean, Schaumburg, IL

2:07

Did you get a chance to read up on the ESPN piece I sent you about D2 school Seton Hill and their "flex" defense? The concepts are quite radical. I know most D coaches are risk averse. Is it something Golden and other coaches could learn about in the offseason? Incorporate some of the concepts? I like some of the concepts-2 D lineman with their hand in the ground and the other DL/LBs standing/moving at the snap.

Eric Hansen

2:07

HI Sean. I think I'm probably too dense to understand the first part of your question. I think what you're asking me is whether they'll roll someone else out at left tackle for the A&M game other than Tosh Baker? I don't think so. Joe Rudolph is not treating this as an audition. Now maybe down the road if things don't work out over the first few weeks? Possibly, but that's not Plan A. ... I think we'll see the elements you cited, but not in greater number because Jagusah is out, but because those are good things to have in the offense, especially being able to look over a defense and then split Love out wide to get a mismatch. I don't think there's a morale problem. Baker is very respected and loved by his teammates. They have more confidence in him that people on the outside do.

Sean, Schaumburg, IL

2:03

Eric, tough blow to the O line. Is it possible to see another O lineman lined up to whoever wins the LT spot? Similar to the Ohio State game last year? Do you think we'll see more designed run plays for Leonard? More two RB sets with both backs in the backfield? A wee bit discouraging before the season starts. How do you think the coaches will attempt to overcome this with the players from a moral standpoint?

Eric Hansen

2:02

Hi Len, this is the only question from you that I can see in the queue, so I don't think question No. 1 made it. Yes Jarrett Patterson missed a spring with a torn pec ... and he also had a foot injury. Ruhland tore both pecs, had three surgeries on his left knee, broken his elbow, ankle and nose and torn a labrum in his shoulder. Not sure how common it is, as those are the only two I can recall off the top of my head. Jagusah was a wrestler in high school, so he would seem pretty durable. ... I found a study online from the National Library of Medicine looking at the NFL. Between 2000 and 2010, those pec tears were extremely rare, only 10 reported total. But they increased significantly after 2010 both in the NFL and by the public in general. The position group most likely to suffer them, the study said, was linebackers.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:51

Hi Eric!1 Second question since I am not sure the first one went thru. Didn't Trevor Ruhland and Jarrett Patterson also have Pec injuries. Is this a common O line thing?

Eric Hansen

1:51

Hi Ron and thanks for breaking your silence. Good to have your questions. ... I think Joe Rudolph does blend the bigger bodies who can play inside or out with true interior guys. I do think I'd lean toward more outside guys perhaps, and he really has in the 2025 class with Will Black (6-7, 295), Owen Strebig (6-8, 295) and Matty Augustine (6-7, 285) all the bigger-body types. ... In terms of getting QB commitments early, that's the way the game is played. They tend to commit very early and there is a domino effect with them. So if you want to wait late in the cycle, you're typically going to have to flip a player out of someone else's class as ND did with Kenny Minchey (and Ian Book, Brendan Clark, Brandon Wimbush, Everett Golson, etc.). I didn't get the sense Deuce's angst over his ND commitment centered on receiver recruiting. Maybe a tiny bit, but geography seemed to play a big part. As Tyler mentioned, it's not just one single factor driving this possible change of heart.

Ron, Dover

1:31

Hi Eric I have been quiet for a while but have been following the chats and weekly conversations with Tyler. A couple of questions with the injury to C. Jagusah’s do you think the coaching staff should be trying to bring more big body offensive linemen ? It seems that they fit better at tackle. Secondly, Tyler spoke Monday night about the Deuce Kinght situation and seemed to think that NIL may not be the reason for his possible change of heart if so. Do you think not landing a couple of those highly regarded receivers, despite his efforts , that he is questioning his decision. It seems getting commitments in Junior year with todays players you are more exposed to change of heart as signing is so far out.

Eric Hansen

1:31

Paddy thanks. I can tell you that the running backs are up to the task and Riley Leonard being able to run as well as he does will make loading the box against the ND offense not quite the weapon it was last season. I don't think Denbrock's scheme will change all that much, because even with Jagusah, the objective was to be so balanced, it kept defenses on their toes. If ND gets behind in the A&M game or has a lot of third-and-longs, that's problematic. So maybe the Irish offense is more methodical in that game than explosive, then moved down that road in subsequent games .. but that's how I see it at this point. ... To you pub question, I'm going to blow it, because I'm not enough of a regular at any to remember the names. My favorite place to have a dark beer is on my back deck.

Paddy from Chicago

1:25

Eric -- fantastic chats, keep up the good work! Given our offensive tackle inexperience, especially in light of Jagusah's injury, in what ways do you think offensive scheme emphasis may change, and how different do you think Denbrock's run game will look for the A&M game. Bonus question, what is your favorite Irish pub outside of South Bend and why. Thanks Eric.............

Eric Hansen

1:25

OK Jonathan, you had be scrambling for the online dictionary to look up ungulate. I knew what grown-ass means, think goodness. James Rendell isn't technically a transfer but he kind of is. But yes, special teams coach Marty Biagi has said it takes a lot of the guesswork and projection out of scouting kickers and punters. And the allure or playing on a team with playoff potential and having a chance to get a master's degree from ND are pretty strong selling points. I am high on the specialists too. I haven't done a good scan of what other teams are doing, but anecdotally, yes, you do see it. And thank you for the compliment.

Jonathan in Addison, TX

1:20

Eric! The dog days of summer are nearly behind us! Fall and football just around the corner! My question this week is about the flock of new Notre Dame specialists. An All-American kick returner. A kicker who has connected on 23 of 25 field goals for his career. A grown-ass man at punter, capable of kicking the ball clear outta the Outback. Even a long-snapper named after an odd-toed ungulate. All you could ever want and more. Am I right to think the transfer rules have been a boon to Irish special teams? Are you as high on the new crop of specialists as I (obviously) am? Do you have a sense whether other teams are having comparable success with specialists in the portal era? Thanks for bringing kind-hearted professionalism and good sense to Notre Dame fandom.

Eric Hansen

1:18

Hi Ryan. I was all over the place ... Venango County, Butler, Erie ... enjoyed it. My grandparents settled in Butler when they came over from Italy, so I wanted to see that town when I was in the area. ... To your question, Jordan Clark has looked sharp. We didn't see a lot of him in the spring, as he was held back a bit with an injury, but he shows up now and is healthy. I'm impressed. Flanagan showed up more in the spring, because there were fewer healthy tight end options then. He still looks good, but now there is a lot more competition.

Ryan Mars PA

1:15

Good afternoon Eric How Has Copper Flanagan Looked at practice same with Jordan Clark what part in PA were you in GO IRISH 🏈🏈☘️☘️👍👍 when you were by Mars

Eric Hansen

1:14

Dave, I guess I'm like you, I need to see it work in order to breed confidence. But here's what I like about Tosh Baker at left tackle. He has the size and length to play the position. He's 6-8 and 320. He is athletic, enough to be the starting center on two Arizona Class 6A state championship teams and be recruited by DI basketball programs before his football career took off. I also like that when the coaching staff sat him down at the end of spring and told him that Aamil Wagner had pulled ahead of him at right tackle, he stayed and fought instead of hitting the transfer portal. What scares me not that he didn't overtake Joe Alt or Blake Fisher at some point in his career, but in the games in which he did see significant action, he didn't grade all that well. But sometimes the light switch comes on later in someone's career and they grab the opportunity and run with it. I am open to that happening with Tosh. We'll see.

Dave, ponte Vedra Fl

1:07

Good afternoon. How confident are you in our new LT? He lost the starting RT job and now moves to the most important position on the O line. What would you say his strengths might be vs. his weaknesses?

Eric Hansen

1:07

Fair enough, Skip. I feel confident in this explanation that there were two different defensive looks that were VERY similar in how they sound being called on the sideline and yet have very different personnel and concepts when employed in a game. And even in a quiet stadium, it would be easy to mishear and think you heard the other defense being called. Which was changed the next day so that there was no longer that similarity. It does not explain why the ways that could have been quickly remedied failed, but at least we know what caused the problem in the first place.

Skip / Houston

1:04

Now that the dust has settled, what all went wrong for us to have only ten players on the field for the last two plays of the Ohio State game? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:04

It depends on whether you want to sweat and want to freeze. You can't go wrong with that pick. And since I am predicting ND to win the opener, I do think they will be unbeaten going into Florida State on Nov. 9.

Rick Dierolf

1:02

Hey Eric and happy football season! Debating between which game I want to attend, Texas A&M or Florida State. Do you think we will undefeated when the Seminoles come to town?

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