JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat August 9, 2023 | 8/9/2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat August 9, 2023

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Eric Hansen

3:16

OK, ran overtime and need to get to my next assignment. Sorry to those of you whose questions I couldn't get to. Thanks for all the great ones that were answered and unanswered. For NEXT WEEK ONLY, we'll do this on Thursday, and not Wednesday, because of a scheduling conflict. Then back to Wednesdays until the end of the season.

3:13

I think the portal and the sixth-year options definitely play into the trend both at Notre Dame and elsewhere. Now keep in mind the last of the sixth-year options ends with the class that currently true seniors this season. No more COVID exemptions for the class of 2021, 2022 2023, etc. I think the blend of experience and young, high-ceiling players give ND's defense a chance to surprise in a good way.

Jonathan in Addison, TX

Oops, continuing . . . The only projected starter who isn’t at least in his 4th year? Sophomore Ben Morrison. So finally my questions: How important is this? How unusual? In this new era of 6-year players and transfers on demand, is it less surprising? Cause this is one old—er, “experienced”—defense.

3:09

Eric, hello! As the resident old dude at my place of work, I’ve no-doubt come to over-value “experience” as an attribute. But looking at the returning ND defense through my not-coincidentally gray lenses, I can’t help but note the years and mileage on the starting 11 (or 12). Defensive end will feature 2 new starters, a senior/senior in Botelho and a grad student in either Jean-Baptiste or Osafo-Mensah. New to ND nickel Harper is also a grad student. Everywhere else (9 other positions) we have returning starters as long as 4 starts by Watts, another senior, is enough to count.

Eric Hansen

3:09

I was sure it would be offense, but then ... consider it's been defense every year since 2010 except for the two years Brian VanGorder was the DC for the entire season (2014 and 2015) and the first season of his aftermath (2017). In none of those years (2010-22), was ND top 20 in total offense. In fact, the Irish have only reached that threshold twice in the 2000s - No. 8 in Jimmy Clausen's junior season (2009) and No. 10 in Brady Quinn's junior season (2005). See a common thread? I'll still say offense, even after last night's open practice, though I think the gap will be smaller.

Jay, Granger

3:02

Do we end the year with a higher rated defense or offense? Either one a top twenty?

Eric Hansen

3:00

Hi Bob, it's possible to be physical and smart about it simultaneously, and that is the intentional part of Marcus Freeman's practices. ... Notre Dame's final day of cap is a week from Friday. I would be willing to bet they're working on Navy in a practice period or two here and there when the media isn't around to report the personnel groups and alignments.

Bob Loganville, GA

2:58

Eric - I have read players talk about how physical practices have been this camp. From what you have seen does that sound accurate? It Seems we might be getting to the point in camp of bumps and bruises, tired arms, heavy legs etc. Do you know when they will break camp and start focusing on Navy.

Eric Hansen

2:58

Hi Tom, the succinct answer is those teams will always want to play non-conference games and as long as Notre Dame is a top brand in college football, there will be a demand to schedule the Irish. I do think the ACC cab survive. I'm not sure it will thrive in this new college football world order.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:56

Hi Eric, I hate to ask conference questions in the middle of training camp BUT..... with more large super conferences coming together my concern is that these conferences will require their teams to play more conference opponents leaving very few games available with non-conference teams like ND. Do you think this is happening and if so will it force ND to join a conference? Also, what is the ACC's TV deal? Do you think the ACC can survive or are they headed their separate ways like the Pac-12??? Thanks and keep up the great work. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:56

Jadarian Price.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:56

Eric, at the point who do you project to get the most carries after Estime?

Eric Hansen

2:56

Dave, Tyler James will be the one seeking free beverages, or even paying for his own, on Temple Street. I'll take a voucher for one in South Bend, though.

Dave Childers

2:55

Jacksonville- which bar on Temple Street will you let us buy you a round at?

Eric Hansen

2:55

Hi Bob. I actually wrote a column detailing a lot of those questions: Analysis: Adding big-picture context to Notre Dame football's field trip. We're kind of in the lightning-round portion of the chat as I'm running out of time, so hopefully, that will answer all your questions about that.

Bob from Manchester, TN

2:52

Hi Eric. I'm looking at Tyler's post yesterday about the defense dominating practice. Do you think the offense just had an off day, or do you think that our defense might be showing itself to be tougher than we have been thinking? And specifically, how much did the DL contribute to that performance, and what does that say to you about Washington? More, fewer or the same reservations?

Eric Hansen

2:52

Hi Bill, Jack will likely have celebrated his 70th birthday when he completely steps away from Notre Dame in the spring of 2024. I know he likes to be relevant and contribute to things for which he has a passion. I think the role you suggest might not fit at this stage of his life. However, I could see him taking on a role in college athletics or with the College Football Playoff in some role that's more consulting than it is consuming.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:49

Eric, if you were to look into your Madam Marie crystal ball, do you see Jack Swarbrick becoming the “chairman” of whatever replaces the NCAA?

Eric Hansen

2:47

Shaun, it's hard for me to gauge who you've heard about and who you haven't, because I try to talk about everyone who I think is or will be relevant, but I'll take a stab at someone who I think is under the radar, DT/NG Jason Onye.

Shaun-Boston

2:46

Is there a player or two that isn’t getting a lot of attention right now that could be a true impact player by mid season? Thank you

Eric Hansen

2:45

Hi Jon. The enter button gets me, too. And it's fooled me more than twice. I tend to hit it by accident when I'm typing an apostrophe, so I have to slow down and be careful ... Wow, a game 5 question during training camp. In total candor here, I do think about those big games and the matchups this far ahead of time, but only on a cursory basis, not in deep-dive detail. I'll try my best to give you a sound off-the-top-of-my-head answer, Notre Dame's cornerback group may have evolved into its strongest position group from one of its weakest in the course of a year. Ohio State's receivers are probably the nation's best. The good news is CJ Stroud is no longer the Buckeyes' QB. I do think ND will blend zone and man, and try to bring pressures. When ND is in man, I see Cam Hart on Harrison, Morrison on Julian Fleming, and nickel Thomas Harper on Emeka Egbuka in the slot. ... and no I don't think you'll see the blitz where the safeties appeared to line up in the parking lot. Ever. Again.

Jon - Bellaire, OH

2:37

Hi Eric,

The enter button submitting the question gets me every time. Fool me once...

How do you see the ND defensive backfield matching up against the high-powered OSU receiving corp? Do we use Cam Hart's size and length to match up against Harrison and put Morrison on Ebuka? Do you see a mix of man and zone. Dear God can we avoid the safety blitz from depth that toasted us last year and turned the game for the Buckeyes? Curious how you see that matchup playing out. Thanks as always!

Eric Hansen

2:36

Hi Patrick. I think he's moved down that path this offseason. He has a much better feel for his vision of the program and how to get there. He's come up with a strategy to deal with NIL. He has continually made very good assistant coaching hires, and yet his coordinators will test that theory this season (and perhaps succeed). I think some of the things he implemented in year 1 are serving him well -- question everything, for example.

Patrick from Los Angeles

2:32

In what areas does Marcus Freeman need to grow/improve the most from his first season in order to give the Irish the best chance to succeed this season and going forward? Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:32

Hi Dave. Maybe I can get into more detail in story form sometime, because it's a good question. The short answer is, yes the team does do S&C during the season, but the emphasis and frequency changes. S&C is a big part of GPS monitoring workload, making sure players are getting enough sleep, injury prevention, etc.

Dave from DC

2:30

I know the team does some intense strength and conditioning in June and July. When camp begins, do they continue to do the same type of S&C? What about during the season? Thanks, Eric!

Eric Hansen

2:30

There's so much more that goes into the recruiting dynamic than wins and losses on the field in a given year. HOWEVER, when you're splitting hairs with Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, on-field performance could be a tiebreaker. And I think ND is betting it will be this fall, based on their ambitions to flip five-star DT Justin Scott, an Ohio State commit from Chicago. So how did I do?

2:27

Kevin, I love when I'm clued in to what my answer is SUPPOSED to be. It's not always possible to comply. In this case, I think I can tell the truth and give you largely what you want. So let's break your question into parts: Is the program moving in the right direction? I think this year will prove that out, but it's a feeling, not an absolute. Will ND do well enough on the field to positively affect recruiting? (more)

Kevin, Boston

2:23

Hey Eric, based solely on how things have looked so far in Marcus Freeman's tenure and your impressions of fall camp, are we moving in the right direction? And/or will we do well enough on the field to continue to pull in better recruiting classes? I want so badly for him to be successful, and it feels like there's potential for this year to impact Freeman's tenure significantly based on generating positive or negative momentum given the relative success of this season - 11-1 wins recruiting battles and 8-4 loses them. Those battles impact future winning, etc. Tell me we're gathering momentum?

Eric Hansen

2:23

Hi Bill. Thank YOU, They will try to get him to force the ball into coverage. He did that at times at Wake, largely because he almost had no choice. In the past three seasons, the Demon Deacons have not had a top 50 rushing offense and were 92nd nationally last season. .. Steve Angeli right now is the clear No. 2 QB.

Bill milford ct

2:19

Thanks for these great chats— what’s the one “weakness” with Hartman that defenses will key on & who will be #2. Thanks

Eric Hansen

And if you're in Louisville, it'd be fun to say hello to you.

2:18

Hi Mike. I mentioned Tyson Ford a little earlier, though you may have submitted your question before I did. Every time I see him in a scrimmage situation, I like what I see. He dropped down from 292 in the spring to 274 to open training camp. I asked D-line coach Al Washington about the freshman defensive lineman last week. Here is what he said:

“You know what, man, his arrow is going up. He’s improving every day. He’s dropped some weight, which I think has been good. But he’s improving.”

Do you see him going back outside? Or all-time inside?

“Right now he’s playing some field end for us, so he’s playing both. He’ll play some 5-technique, and he’ll come in and play some 4-i. It’s just his body type. He’s a big kid; he’s a big athletic kid. So, I think that’s the role we feel like will play to his strength.”

Mike, Phoenix

2:12

Eric, what is going on with Tyson Ford as we have not heard his name mentioned? Do you think that the OL might be a bit overrated as all reports have the D winning practice? Or are we talking about practice? Hope you are doing well. Hopefully see you in Louisville October 7th. Cheers!

Eric Hansen

2:11

Hi Tanker. Doing great here and loving life. And same to you. Deion Colzie has his really good moments, but not enough of them to overtake the team's best wide receiver, who's now playing primarily the same position (boundary), Jayden Thomas. I see him as a strong rotational guy who will contribute. If ND goes six deep, I like Thomas/Colzie, Tyree/Greathouse, Merriweather/Flores.

Tanker, NM

2:08

hey Eric(!!!!!), hope all is well with you. Looking forward to the season and for things to continue to ramp up here in the coming weeks. Wanted to ask you how Deion Colzie has been coming along in camp. He's a guy i feel could surprise a lot of folks and seems to be slept on a bit, but he has all the tools and has flashed previously. Just curious on how he has looked thus far. All the best.

Eric Hansen

2:08

Hi Cowboy Mike, and thank you. Usually people only ask for one. But since you want two, you'll get two. If I were picking, I'd go Alt, Schrauth, Correll, Spindler, Fisher. An alternative would be Alt, Coogan, Correll, Kristofic, Fisher. Best player in neither of those lineups: Aamil Wagner.

Cowboy Mike, Jefferson, Gs.

2:05

Know it's early so give us 2 starting O lines options. Long time follower cuz ur the Best!!

Eric Hansen

2:04

Hi Chris. There are a lot of worthy walk-ons. Notre Dame has gotten better at attracting quality in numbers. I think if ND were to award two scholarships, freshman S Luke Talich and freshman WR/KR Jordan Faison have the best chances to impact the team this season and beyond.

Chris, South Bend

2:01

Sometimes around this time of year, a walk-on or two will get rewarded with a scholarship. It's always great to see a played who bet on themselves or toiled relentlessly to make their mark earn that recognition. Last I checked, Notre Dame has two spare scholarships. I'm wondering: do you expect any current walk-ons to land one of them this year? If so, who?

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