JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 13, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 13, 2023

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Eric Hansen

3:12

OK, I am back on radio today (wsbtradio.com at 5 ET), so need to run. Thanks for all the great questions. And thanks for behaving with so many of the rules rescinded today. Remember next week, we'll do this on Thursday at noon ET, not Wednesday. See you then.

3:10

Hi Mike. You know I looked back over his question and I got so engrossed with the first part of it, I completely whiffed at answering the whole thing. So, I am glad you asked this follow. So let me combine answers here ... I think overall the ACC/ND marriage has been good for ND. The bowl selection was just bizarre. And if there are any financial differences, they'd be pretty minimal. Actually, I think Notre Dame ended up in a good place, a good bowl, with a sold-out game that will be very pro-Notre Dame. But the ACC has some explaining to do.

Mike from New York

3:07

Eric, Grateful if you could revisit Bobby From the Chi's question. I had a similar one last week which didn't make the cut. Is the ND administration OK with having a Tier 1 bowl apparently taken away from them or are the upset about it? Could this cause a rift between the ACC and ND? Also curious to know if there were any financial implications to ND because of the switch.

Eric Hansen

3:06

Paul, what was acceptable and unacceptable a year ago, a month ago, a week ago, is constantly in a state of flux. College football is changing on so many fronts like we've never seen it before, and it can be unsettling for fans who love the game as it was. From a pure business standpoint, I'll put you in Sam's shoes. You are a late-round or non-draft free agent projection. You can guarantee you'll be 100 percent healthy for a college all-star game and/or the NFL Combine by not playing in the Sun Bowl. If you can only pick one or the other, which is likely going to impress scouts and boost your stock more -- the all-star setting/combine? Or the Sun Bowl vs. a watered-down Oregon State defense? Against OSU's top defense, maybe the math changes ... If that's you or your son, what do you advise?

Paul From Stuart, FL

3:01

Somewhat of a manifesto Eric, but Sam's excuse to go into training for the draft and skipping a Bowl is ludicrous. Three weeks of workouts with your buds should be much more valuable than three weeks with a so-called QB guru, and playing the game respectful of your teammates, coaches and fans. I can't ever recall a serious QB injury hurting draft results--can you?

Eric Hansen

3:01

Hi Tony. Notre Dame would not make a public admission of that-- that would have to come from Nana, who's transferred to TCU, but I think that's a safe assumption.

Tony from Rochester NY

3:00

Did we ask Nana to move on? Seems like he would have been a contributor again and seemingly he was a team leader.

Eric Hansen

3:00

Notre Dame is angling for that, so I would say more likely than not. Merry Christmas!

Patrick from Atlanta

2:59

Hi Eric! What is your view of the chances that we get another WR in the portal this year? Thanks as always for doing these chats (a highlight of the week for me!) and Merry Christmas!

Eric Hansen

2:59

OK Matt, here you go: 1. A historic 2024 season from Marcus Freeman. 2. A quantum leap of growth from offensive coordinator Gerad Parker. 3. David Cutcliffe as an analyst. 4. A good realtor. 5. Already got mine. 2023 has been the best year of my life.

Matt (KC)

2:55

Quickfire Five. Mr. Hansen, thanks for these chats, you always make Wed. more enjoyable. Let's do a fun five, no transfer, NIL, or NFL draft Qs, ha. How about this, what is the #1 item (being serious) on the Christmas list for each of the following: 1. ND's incoming AD? 2. Marcus Freeman? 3. Gerard Parker? 4. Al Golden? 5. Eric Hansen? Happy Holidays to everyone and Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

2:54

Hi Myliah, congrats on the slow work day. You can come help us? ... The bowl opt-outs originally were for high-round draft picks only. A lot has changed quickly. You can incentivize it for lower-round or fringe picks like Marist Liufau, for instance, with insurance and NIL -- both good ideas and ideas the bowl system is at least dabbling in, or trying to. The bigger problem is the transfer portal window and the no-waiting rules. It now opens the day after bowl Selection Sunday. And if players want to be enrolled at their new school in time for spring semester or winter quarter, they need to go shopping and take visits in December ... January at the latest. So that group, it would be hard to convince to delay their portal departures for a non--playoff game. But I do love the idea you have. I hope someone with the bowl games is reading this.

Myliah (El Cerrito, CA)

2:49

Eric, thank you for this; I love it when your livechat slot corresponds to a slow work day (nothing crashing!) and I can jump on. With lots of NFL-hopeful players opting out of bowl games to protect themselves, why don't bowl organizers offer them insurance policies to stay? It would be a cost, but one that might pay off. Or insurance companies–seems like a great NIL opportunity, too, no? Imagine Jaylon Smith in a commercial, "When I got hurt, they had my back and I still went pro!" What can schools, bowls, companies, etc. do to convince players to play and reignite the excitement of bowl season? Or has that horse long since left? (At the very least, let's open the transfer window AFTER bowl season...)

Eric Hansen

2:49

Gene, in a lot of ways we're in unchartered territory, so predicting the trend line is a bit tricky. But look at the quarterback movement the past two transfer cycles. And all three Heisman finalists who played QB were playing somewhere else two years ago. Maybe that calms down a bit in the future. Maybe not. Some it it depends on whether the QBs in your system decide to stick around. Take Wake Forest. They played three different QBs as starters this season after Sam Hartman left, in part due to injuries, in part not. Two of them hit the portal the first week it was open after the season. And now Wake is bringing in former Boise State/La Tech QB Hank Bachmeier. I think Marcus would like to get out of the transfer-QB-every-year mode and his has the QB lineage/talent to do that ... now. But will they all wait around to see how things play out? If not, it makes it difficult not to go to the portal.

Gene in NY

2:42

Hi Eric, Thanks as always for the great coverage. I’m hoping you can convince we’re not going to be back to musical QB chairs with Leonard coming in. I saw him play vs ND and some parts of other games, and it seems he’s a good runner. Not sure I’ve seen anything that would make me happy to have him if it means losing one of the other two on roster, unless, of course, the reports of them progressing well throughout the year was overstated. Do other top level schools find themselves repeating this scenario, or has ND coaching staff created a quagmire they can’t get out of? I can’t see how annually losing QBs you’ve trained and worked with can ever make you a better team.

Eric Hansen

2:41

Hi Bob, he's listed at 288 now. Based on the progress he's made since he arrived on campus, I could see him get to 300 by next fall. Super athletic and smart. I'm high on him.

Bob (Oxnard CA)

2:40

How much will Amiil Wagner weigh when we open at A&M?

Eric Hansen

2:40

Al Golden was a veteran defensive coach, with six years in the NFL and extensive college coordinating and head coaching experience. He also had a defensive mind as a head coach. Marcus at UC had a great defensive mind in his head coach Lou Fickell as his backstop. So, yes it's possible, but there are not necessarily parallel situations. Marcus must see something beyond the second year thing to make him want to re-invest. And he needs to be right. And he could be.

2:37

Hi Mike. I want to be fair to Gerad Parker in my response. His evolution as an relatively inexperienced play-caller and coordinator — including the hiccups — isn't uncommon. What made it a risk was doing at on a stage like Notre Dame, with so much at stake and with no backstop (with Marcus Freeman being a defensive coach and no experienced sounding board like a former veteran OC). Tommy Rees had Brian Kelly, for instance. What becomes the risk at this point, especially if Marcus Freeman does not add supports, is how quickly Parker can evolve or WHETHER he can evolve. The Al Golden analogy you used or even the one Marcus Freeman related about his DC experiences at UC could play out ... but ... (more)

Mike from Rockville, MD

2:27

Hi, Eric! Thank you for these chats!!! It looks like the ND offense will be much different next year with a lot of new faces or returning players getting more playing time--QB, WR, OL, RB--and a new WR coach. I've definitely been on the bandwagon about Parker not being a good fit or, at least, needing more time at a different school to hone his craft (play-calling was clearly an issue.) However, is it possible that Parker's situation could be more similar to a 2022 Al Golden, who came in and tried to mesh his own system with Freeman's, with mixed results? And then Golden 2023 looks like a genius. Is it possible that Parker in year 2 with a new QB who can run, new WRs, and WR coach, and one year under his belt will be able to install his own system with players also benefiting from the second year of Rudolph, Parker, and company? And maybe behind the scenes Stuckey did not fit in well with what the other coaches were doing? Is this possible? Please?

Eric Hansen

2:27

Thanks Len. There will be a chat next week — on Thursday instead of Wednesday, but I'll take the Merry Christmas wishes now and also send them to you. To your first question, I don't see Notre Dame adding staff for the first reason you cited. I'd been advocating for the second reason and am not yet sure whether Marcus Freeman will pursue that. That'll be a good question to ask him after the bowl game.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:25

Eric, thanks for hosting. In case there is no chat next week, a Merry Christmas to you and your family and everyone at InsideNDSports. Do you expect to see more non coaching staff to acquire and teach new players from the transfer portal along with the new high school recruits? Will that include an experienced OC to help Gerad Parker?

Eric Hansen

2:25

Hi Bill. Let me be clear. Up until this cycle Notre Dame could get grad transfers through admissions and most players who had completed their freshman seasons who were in good academic standing/fits. Anything else was threading a needle, if not impossible. That door appears to have now opened. We'll find out soon how wide.

Bill from Glen Ellyn

2:23

ND is being aggressive in the portal which is great to see, however, what is the status of pursuing/admitting undergrad student-athletes that want to transfer? Of course they need to "fit" ND but there are a lot of good players out there that ND could use (Purdue frosh safety, for instance)...are they off limits because they are undergrad?

Eric Hansen

2:23

Back to Bill's question ... just this afternoon, per The Athletic, In Ohio vs NCAA, Judge John Preston Bailey issues a temporary restraining order (for the next 14 days) that grants immediate eligibility to any college athletes currently seeking it via a multi-transfer waiver. So that's for people wanting to make that second transfer now ... it would only apply in the spring if this becomes a permanent injunction and not a temporary one.

2:21

Hi Tom, off the top of my head, I can remember only one. And that was Braxston Banks, who gave up a fifth year and then went undrafted. He started a class-action suit against the NCAA to be allowed to get that year back and lost the suit. Among true juniors, I've seen DeShone Kizer maybe hint at it, but not directly say so. I think in talking to Troy Nilkas he may make a different decision knowing what he knows now, but he was still a second-rounder. His issue was staying healthy in the NFL, and he did come back and get his ND degree.

Tom from Sister Lakes, MI

2:15

Hi Eric, Do you know if any ND players who opted in early for the draft later said they regretted not staying for another year? We can all probably think of past players who should have thought that, but I wonder if any had publicly (or privately) said so. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:15

And right after I mention Jack Kiser, he just announced he'll return to Notre Dame in 2024. From a chemistry/leadership/experience/ability standpoint, this is a big win for Notre Dame.

2:14

Hi Phil, and Merry Christmas. It will be easier to do a balance sheet once this part of the transfer cycle ends. Of course, there will be another one in the spring, but I think it will be less eventful. For the 2024 season, I think ND's going to come out of this ahead. Now, keep in mind the math gets tricky with someone like Kris Mitchell, who serves an immediate need at wide receiver, and Braylon James, a high-ceiling, slower-developing prospect who has four years of eligibility left. ... As far as the rest of the top 25, I don't have time to give you the exact numbers, and obviously the playoff teams don't yet have much attrition, but among the other top 25, Notre Dame is the norm.

Phil B, Litchfield, CT

2:06

Hi Eric, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family! What's your assessment of the total ND transfer portal situation in terms of talent gained/lost and the impact on the team for 2024? Also, how does ND's transfer portal activity compare with the rest of the Top-25? I see a lot of ND Fans complaining in general about the churn, but it appears to be the norm in college football today, like it or not.

Eric Hansen

2:05

Hi Bill. Sam Hartman could have. Riley Leonard could not without a waiver unless he got his degree.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:04

Hi Eric, so if Steve Angeli were to “beat out” or emerge this spring as the starter, could Riley Leonard once again hit the portal? Not that I’m wishing or hoping that, but I’m just asking the guru if that is allowed.

Eric Hansen

2:04

Easiest question of the day is no question.

Lorne

2:03

Lorne from Reno. As another ND site said, this bowl game (and many others) has become a spring game, and that's okay because football is better than no football. I just want to say thank you to the team, the coaches, and all of the supporting staff. I have no ill will for Sam backing out -- without those two premier tackles, it isn't worth it -- rather I am thankful that he gave us a chance to be great and some fantastic memories. I'm glad that Howard Cross III is finally getting his due and am ecstatic that he's coming back. Thank you, Al Golden, and best of luck in your new job, whatever it may be (if he is still on our staff next fall, there are a lot of people out there who aren't watching). Thank you, Audric, Joe, J.D., Blake, Xavier, and the rest of the team for some great performances. The season was a bit of a letdown, but any year that you beat USC is a good year. Finally, thanks to you and YOUR team for the best ND football coverage around. Good luck in '24, CMF; year 3 is always key.

Eric Hansen

2:03

Hi Ron, happy Wednesday to you too ... already touched on Austin Ausberry, so let's look at your WR question. Notre Dame would like to bring in a third transfer, preferably one with elite speed and they're in the mix for three such players ... no locks but trying to get traction. ... So assuming everyone else comes back, I think all three players — Cam Williams, Logan Saldate and Micah Gilbert — in the 2024 class have enough talent to make a bid for playing time. I would give Williams the nod first because of his size and speed combination and because of the two losses at the outside field receiver position. Saldate may have a quicker path to playing time if he lines up outside rather than the slot. Gilbert may be the closets to college-ready in some aspect, but he made be on a crowded boundary receiver competition.

Ron dover de

1:58

Eric happy hump day. Now that ND has added two experience receivers how do you see the freshmen receivers opportunity to see playing time this year? I think in past Cam Williams looked like he might get playing time. Part two do you see Marcus looking to bring in Auberry’s brother? Thanks as always for your thoughts.

Eric Hansen

1:58

Hi Jeff. It's apparent from my Chilean sea bass jokes that one, I watch too much of the Food Network and two, Tyler James needs to develop a good fake laugh. ... Leaning on the run game might not be the security blanket that it might seem, with no Joe Alt, no Blake Fisher, likely no Audric Estimé. The best approach vs, and Oregon State defense that was really good against the run, but is missing some key pieces, would be a balanced one. Try to keep them off guard, in pass/run dilemmas as much as you can. Statistically during the regular season, Oregon State was the best run defense of all 13 of ND's opponents (15th). So even with a partly new coaching staff, I see them leaning into that and challenging Notre Dame's offense to do what it struggled to do against Louisville and Clemson.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:51

Good morning Eric! Any more Chilean sea bass jokes? Ok…so…I see a possible interesting kerfuffel developing for the ND offense in the Sun Bowl. If ND goes with a conservative/ground-based plan to take the pressure off Angeli for his first start, it could look like a regression by Parker to mid-season tendencies of predictability. And, then we could be back to perceptions and criticism of Parker and Freeman for lack of creativity on offense. I know its 1 game, but what approach on offense do you expect from ND in the Sun Bowl?

Eric Hansen

1:51

If Jack Kiser returns at linebacker, you wouldn't need an experienced addition. Even if he does not, there's so much talent there, I would not prioritize it. ... and thank you.

1:50

Since Joe Alt and Michael Carmody were pretty certain losses from the roster, the one that would trigger the portal discussion was Blake Fisher. Now while O-Line coach Joe Rudolph likes to put his best five out there, not everyone profiles to playing tackle, and suddenly Notre Dame is light on quality/ready depth. So without a transfer, you're looking at Tosh Baker and Aamil Wagner as starters, and Ty Chan and Charles Jagusah as backups, both talented prospects, but would they be ready to start in case of an injury? Behind them its Sullivan Absher and incoming freshmen Styles Prescod and prodigy Guerby Lambert. ... So yes, now and OT makes sense. ... In the interior D-line Cross' return changed the calculus there and Rylie Mills returning would erase a need completely there. You have Onye and Rubio in a rotation there with Donovan Hinish surging. Devan Houstan was impressive in his cameos. The big question there are you going to play Tyson Ford and Brenan Vernon inside or outside? (more)

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