JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat August 20, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat August 20, 2025

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Eric Hansen

3:05

OK, that's going to have to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back next Wednesday to do it all again.

3:04

The info I got last week is that if the race ended that day, Minchey would win it. But the source was very adamant, it had gone back and forth and said Carr very much could in it. In my intel piece yesterday, I laid out how the decision was made. And it makes sense, if you're just watching a practice and don't know the intent of what the coaches are trying to see and what the deciding factor is, how it would be reasonable to guess Minchey was ahead. But to report it was a done deal, then you'd have some explaining to do. Again, I don't know what all is out there, but hopefully this helps you decode it.

3:01

John, this is a question I wish I had more time for, but let me cut to the chase. When you say media, I can only speak for myself. I don't monitor what everyone else writes or says, nor do I want to start doing that. I do think in general, there are people who over extrapolate everything. What I try to do is give context with my observations. That doesn't always make me right. I feel I have very very good sources, but I don't go to them every five minutes. I go when I really need them. I feel they helped me a great deal in this QB stuff, even though I flaked and finally predicted Minchey on Monday night. I did not report it would be Minchey. (more)

John from Scottsdale

2:56

How did the media get the quarterback competition so wrong? Everything for the last week was Minchey is ahead. Do you think it was the coaches picking the higher ceiling player with respect to week 13 (playoff opener)? Could it be the media did not see most of the competition and the competition for eye balls and clicks lead to unfounded conclusions? Could it be this was always Carr’s job to lose and Minchey did enough to pull even but not ahead? Or slightly ahead but not enough? I’m interested in your take on this since the most shocking part of the announcement wasn’t that Carr won the competition but how wrong the media was in their perceptions.

Eric Hansen

2:56

Hi Tom, thanks. But wait, you think the QB1 talk is over???? I think your read is good on Shuler/Stroman. Talich knows the defense better, even though it's a new scheme. Remember Tae was playing cornerback last year, but man is he fun to watch. It's a first-world problem getting them all out there.

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

2:54

Hey Eric, glad we can stop talking about who the QB1 is going to be and concentrate on beating Miami!!! It sounds as though the coaches feel very confident in 4 Safeties: Shuler, Stroman, Talich and Johnson ( i hope I have the right ones). I am presuming that they will want to keep either Shuler or Stroman on the field at all times to have an experienced voice back there. Your take on this?? Also, MF constantly talks about the importance of communication on defense. From what you have been able to hear, who communicates better among the young guys, Talich or Johnson??? Thanks for getting us thru the offseason and now on to a great 2025 season!! Go Irish!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:54

Franz, I feel like I've answered this several times in chats over the offseason, but it was probably submitted by someone else. Since I am short for time and would like to answer, could you just email me. I can't do this one quickly.

Franz, Niles MI

2:53

Why is the massive Rubio exclusively played three tech and Hinish who is smaller and much more athletic exclusively playing the nose where he would face more double teams. I always wondered why those two never switched or at least crosstrained more. Howard Cross was a smaller nose so maybe I’m missing something schematically although they seem to be recruiting more traditional noseguard body types for that position currently . Maybe it’s something to do with height as a shorter player can get underneath a double team and hold their ground better? I enjoyed the article by J Soble on Hinish and why he is so hard to block , but it still doesn’t explain to me why he doesn’t play more three tech.

Eric Hansen

2:52

I asked that to Mike Denbrock on Sunday, and they hadn't done that yet. If Washington's wrist injury persists longer than expected, he sounded open to it, and I'd nominate Will Black for that role. You could also eventually flip Preston Zinter if you are looking for more of an H-back.

MikeD from Rochester NY

2:51

Hi, Eric, another excellent FNS from the Hansen & James duo!!!! With Kevin Baumann sadly done and Ty Washington a bit on the light side as a TE, would they consider cross-training one of the backup OLs as a bulldozing blocking TE for short yardage situations? I’m thinking maybe Absher or Lambert or Black, who all seem to have excellent mobility for such big men!

Eric Hansen

2:51

Hi Patrick. They helped create turnovers ON PURPOSE. The coaching staff chose chaos over coddling to help determine who the best choice for QB1 would be. What they found is they have two who passed that test, but Carr was the better option.

Patrick from Boston

2:49

Hi Eric. Thanks for doing these, they are always entertaining. I'm sure that this isnt an excuse that the coaching staff would ever want to hear but with ND's secondary looking like one of the best in the country, could that have contributed to some of the turnovers/lack of separation in the QB competition?

Eric Hansen

2:49

Bill, you lively minx. I hadn't thought of that. I will go under. Mike Denbrock has been in these situations plenty of times and this O-line has played in them too.

Bill fromSt Joe, MI

2:48

Hi Eric!!! What is your over/under for the number of illegal procedure penalties called on ND? Mine is 2 1/2, and I hope they do not come in critical situations.

Eric Hansen

2:48

Hi Lorne, since we're close to 3 and I have a hard out at 3, I'll just go to your question. The bar has been raised on the WR room. So even an improving Cam Williams has pretty stiff competition to get into the rotation. I am optimistic he'll continue to improve over the season and be in the mix for playing time in 2025.

Lorne

2:46

Lorne from Reno. As always, thanks for the chats. Congrats to Steve Angeli, who I will be cheering for in all of his games. Check that, to quote LOTR: "All save one." Sorry for more of a gripe than a question, but we have a few students get caught letting tutors write papers and we lose the season, but Michigan not only illegally steal signs (giving them a competitive advantage), they destroy evidence of the crime and don't lose any wins? The NCAA has no credibility. While I'm whining, watching Sonia tear up the WNBA makes me even more disappointed by the (relative) failure of WBB last year. Okay, one quick question: the lack of mention of Cam Williams in your discussion of receivers makes me think he once again hasn't delivered (yet) on his promise; do you still think he will "arrive" eventually?

Eric Hansen

2:46

Jon, I appreciate you playing along with me on the name/hometown thing. Last season it was the lack of a consistent passing game, an inexperienced offensive line and less than elite run defense. One of those is gone -- the O-line is really good. Or should be. The passing game. I think, will be pretty good in time, if not out of the chute. The run defense, as I mentioned, will improve, but how much? I think teams will try to test ND's quarterback and hope that on defense the pass rush is tepid. Not a lot to pick on.

Jon C

2:42

Bellaire, Ohio - I've no doubt been relegated to the back of the queue with my name and hometown omissions, but alas. Where do you foresee opposing teams looking to take advantage of Irish 'weaknesses'. Outside of inexperience at the quarterback position - what could be viewed as a potential area of exploitation?

Eric Hansen

2:41

Hi Ryan. Mike Denbrock raved about Eli Raridon after Sunday's scrimmage. I also like the captain selections.

Ryan Frankfort Illinois

2:37

Good afternoon Eric how has Eli Raridon and the other Tight ends looked during Camp also i like all the captain selections GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

2:35

Hi Matt. Let's see how fast my brain is and if my fingers can sync up with that. 1. Million dollar question. My sense is yes, but you will still see blitzes. Have a story coming on that tomorrow. 2. Low-scoring, chess match, physical war of attrition. 3) That aren't there already? Will Pauling, Malachi Fields, Christian Gray, Billy Schrauth, Eli Raridon off the top of my head and I'm sure I'm forgetting someone. 4) No. he's not a statue. 5) Maybe returns, but I think Faison or Pauling on punts ... he'll be a strong RB rotational guy, especially if ND plays more two-back which I think they will. He can become RB 1, but man Kedren Young, Nolan James Jr. in 2026 plus some exciting incoming freshmen. Great competition.

Matt (KC)

2:30

Fast Five: 1. Can our DL can consistently get pressure rushing only four? 2. What kind of game do you see developing with Miami game 1? 3. Who are 2-3 players who have the biggest chance to really rise up draft boards with a strong season? 4. Is CJ Carr really that immobile? He is no Riley Leonard or as quick as Minchey, but he isn't a statue in highlights. 5. Aneyas Williams (big fan) was such a spark last season, how do you see him used this season (returns?) and in future after Love and Price graduate, can he become an RB1? Go Irish, Beat Canes!

Eric Hansen

2:29

It's always about competing and earning your spot. So no matter what scenario you throw out there, that's how it works at Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:28

Hello Eric! As the ND talent level improves will there still be open competition for every position every season? Will some positions be excluded or modified from that future competition? Coach MF has stressed that competition fosters the best version of that player. As an example suppose that Billy S, Aamil W, Anthonie K & Ashton C all return for next season. Let's also suppose that Guerby L, Charles J, Matty A and Will B all have higher ceilings. Will there be an open competition? Could the incumbents be replaced as starters? Or will incumbents that are very talented get the easier path to starting? Alternately should ND recruit the equivalent of Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams, sophomore Wideouts that are pre season AA that were top of the sport last season as freshman, could these new WR recruits pass an upper classman that is currently a starter or firmly in the top 6 wr's?

Eric Hansen

2:28

Thanks for your kind words and multiple exclamation points, Len!!!!!

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:27

Hello Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!! I recently watched your account of CJ Carr after the Blue Gold game. That account was echoed by Jack Soble's article reviewing CJ's plusses and minuses after he was named starter. Jack and you both mentioned the pass to Baumann I lauded in last week's chat. If Kenny M was ahead of CJ I always felt CJ's upside was higher, and CJ's performance would pass Kenny's during this season. But would it be soon enough to give the Irish the best chance to navigate the early season. Also let's not miss that you, Tyler James and Jack Soble had the right choice from the end of spring and that proved to be echoed by the coaches. Kenny will be an ultra valuable back-up. If CJ stays healthy, Kenny can get his degree and . transfer, like Steve A did, or he could be the Vinny Tesdaverde to Bernie Kosar, where Kosar won the starting position and the Natty for Miami and Vinny followed as starter when Bernie left and won the Hesiman. My best wishes for successful careers to both CJ and Kenny

Eric Hansen

2:27

HI Pete! Jordan Botelho is the only other remaining COVID exemption that ND recruited out of high school still on the roster. Noah Burnette, who transferred from North Carolina, is also one. ... Purdue a trap game? For Purdue, yes. The rumor is false. Arkansas doesn't get to pick the kick time. TV does. And no they are not undefeated in such games. They played two noon ET games just last season at home and got drilled in both by a combined score of 98-45. They even lost their only noon ET road game, so no, no no LOL. Thanks for your questions.

Pete in Erie PA

Is Purdue a trap game? Since last Senior Day, barnstorming ND has crisscrossed the USA from Yankee Stadium to the LA Coliseum, back home for the 1st ever expanded playoff game, on to the Superdome for the Sugar Bowl, then Hard Rock for the Orange Bowl and finally Mercedes-Benz for the CFP Final. Only @USC was unranked and that was a helluva game. Now they're going back to Hard Rock vs #10 before returning home for another likely ranked TAMU. Thank Ara for the early bye! Not until Purdue do they get a "break" to be immediately followed by possibly 4-0 (if they win @Mississippi) ranked Razorbacks in Fayetteville and then #25 Boise. Yeah, there's the offseason gap and the early bye but that's still a lot of fever.
Do you know if there's any truth to the rumor that Arkansas chose a 12:00pm start time because they've NEVER LOST a Noon kickoff at home? I guess that's 2 more questions, sorry!

2:13

Hey Eric! Thank you for the chat! and your unique efforts to engage with the fans and keep us informed! Sad about TE Kevin Bauman. I believe he was the last COVID waiver? Happy about CJ Carr! (would've been just as happy about Kenny Minchey) Does CJ have to win a NC to surpass Austin in ND lore? One more question for ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.............

Eric Hansen

2:13

Damon, there's a lot of good stuff to unpack there. And loved the pun. Keep 'em coming. So much in this game hinges on ND's pass rush. I will say Carson Beck will end up having the better pass efficiency in this game, but that might be mitigated by sacks and stalled drives. I don't think Carr throwing an interception or not is the bottom line stat. It's how he recovers from it if he does throw one (or more). On defense, I do expect ND to take a step forward in run defense from their No. 49 ranking last season. I think they have the personnel to do it and I think Chris Ash will emphasize it. Not saying they'll be dominant in that area, as they are in pass defense, but I do think they'll be better.

Damon from Nashville

2:03

Eric, thank you for all of your great coverage and continuing these chats. It is probably too early for a game prediction, but, if you looked into your “Cristobal,” do you predict more interceptions from a QB making his first collegiate start, or a seasoned veteran with a surgically repaired elbow throwing into Notre Dame’s “no fly” zone? Also, which QB has the better passing efficiency in this first game? On defense, I think Coach Ash was noncommittal in February about whether he will coach from the sideline or the booth. Any update on his planned location during the game? And, one more question, does ND defense improve its running efficiency in 2025 despite losing some great defensive tackles. Thank you!

Eric Hansen

2:03

Hi Sean. I hope you can enjoy the game despite the angst that might come with it. Let me answer the easy part of your questions. Aamil Wagner and Billy Schrauth are captains for a reason. So, among O-linemen those guys will be leaders. But there are others too. GJ Carr has been dealing with pressure his whole life. You think it's easy living up to that last name? You think having a little brother die in childhood from a brain tumor doesn't test your mettle? You think surviving a challenge from Steve Angeli in the spring and Kenny Minchey in August doesn't make you stronger? Infallible, unflappable? No. But it matters in the big picture of who CJ Carr is and who he can become. Play selection is not about vetting anything. They practice against the best secondary in the country every day. They've vetted. It's about finding mismatches and exploiting them, whatever that looks like, and making in-game adjustments against a first-year defensive coordinator making his Miami debut. I appreciate you, Sean.

Sean Schaumburg, IL

1:55

Hello, Mr. Hansen. This first game has me nervous with Carr as QB1. Miami are terrible fans. The bricks thrown at the buses in 2017. I'm not holding my breath on the ACC to protect ND as they arrive. You've said it'll be a tight game. I go back to the first series in 2017 where Wimbush, nearly, completed a TD pass to...Eq St. Brown or Claypool. Would a similar play in the first two plays of the first series be advantageous for the offense, as a whole, to set the precedent that, despite having a new QB, the offense will push the ball down the field when the opportunity presents itself or scheme a play early on to get the defense, at the very least, thinking they can go over the top of us? Also, Carr's best friend is handing the ball off to our stud RBs and letting our O-line grind it out early. I'm a believer that jitters exist. Carr is gonna have them. How does MF/MD manage that? Who on the O-line can he lean on to quell those jitters? The first month is gonna be tough. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

1:54

Hi Kevin. I don't think it's a choreographed ploy, if that's what you're asking. And the irony is I think one of the reasons ND's passing game will be much better than last year's is because Love will be part of that too. But yes, I did expect ND to be better in terms of passing yards per game and pass efficiency, both.

Kevin from Calgary

1:53

Hey, Eric glad to join another chat! The 2025 season is almost upon us. While the QB competition had us fans gnashing our teeth, a lot of the chatter outside that competition has been about how many ways the Irish are going to utilize Jeremiah Love’s talents in multiple ways. Heck, I hear he may even be kicking field goals (just kidding). As good as I expect Love to be this year, is it possible some of the hype is being used to take some of the attention away from what looks like a pretty good receiving corps. Is there a chance we see more of an aerial attack against Miami than expected? As always, thanks for the chats!!!

Eric Hansen

1:52

Hi Denny, granted the schedules are made up years in advance, but I'm not sure Montana State is every going to be a monster opener for an FBS team. Now on the FCS level, different story. For me it would depend on what type of team I had, how mature, if there was a first-time quarterback. In the age of a 12-team playoff, I'm OK with an opener like at Miami. In the four-team era, maybe that's a risk that might not be worth taking. Not as the opener, but Montana State first, then at Miami. I do have an amazing new hot water heater. The old one had a six-year warranty and lasted 25 years! So, I bought the same brand. ... Yeah we had record live views on FNS Monday night and might still set a record for overall views, but the timing of the QB1 announcement slowed the momentum. It's all good.

Denny from Beaverton Or.

1:47

Hi Eric and Great to be back with you. My question regards scheduling. Out here Oregon opens up at home with Montana State. Notre Dame opens on the road with a high quality opponent this year just as they did last year. Personally I like the way Notre Dame is doing this and I realize these schedules are made several years ahead. If you were scheduling would you prefer the Oregon or ND model? Why? By the way, I know the Easter Bunny did not leave you a hot water heater in your Easter basket last Easter but I trust you have worked around that problem. Enjoyed FNS Monday night. Too bad you guys were a day early regarding the QB question.

Eric Hansen

1:47

Hi Mike. Cam Williams has improved significantly over last season, but not likely enough to crack in the six-man rotation in August/September. Don't write him off. There's talent and a motor and the ability to improve. Sevillano is really difficult to move and had amazing quickness for a 340-pound nose guard. He likely will get some reps as the No. 3 nose guard.

mike .k costa mesa ca.

1:45

Can you please give us insight about how CAM WILLIAMS & SEVEALLANO are doing in fall camp . Thanks for all your CHATS !

Eric Hansen

1:43

Hi Denny, since I picked ND to win 24-17, the answer would be 18 points, but I am not as confident in the total points as I am in the winner, and even then it's not all chips in the middle of the table. I think not putting a bye week there and having ND play A&M with one less day of prep and travel involved coming back from Miami and depletive game conditions to recover from would have been really foolish.

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