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

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 13, 2023

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Aaron, Washington DC

1:40

Hi Eric, a couple questions about the 2024 roster for you and your crystal ball today (or Christmas snow globe if we're being festive). On the offensive side, with both Joe Alt and Blake Fisher going pro and Carmody transferring, do you see Notre Dame going after an OT in the portal? For defense, do you expect Notre Dame to pursue portal additions at DT? That seems to be a definite need unless Rylie Mills returns. Does Notre Dame have the talent currently on the roster at LB that it needs to maintain this year's level of performance or do they need to go to the portal there also? I know that there are some good young players at LB but they may not be ready. Always appreciate your time and perspectives.

Eric Hansen

1:39

I mentioned a little earlier that ND likely will taker at least one safety, and then a second if Xavier Watts goes pro. As far as specific names, there's no one I know of from that position group who has lined up a visit yet, but that could change by the time I type this. Getting a third WR and lining up those visits is on the front burner. Austin Ausberry is intriguing, because he's Jaiden's brother and Notre Dame recruited him out of high school, but I'm not sure he brings the experience ND would want in a portal safety. Andrew Mukuba profiles more of what ND would want as far as experience. He also had an ND offer coming out of high school.

1:30

Gerad Parker will have his hands full reimagining the Notre Dame offense and tweaking it to play to Riley Leonard's skill set, which is markedly different from Sam Hartman's. Gino Guidulgi's job will be to get Leonard to be better at some of the things Hartman was good at and still be the elite runner that he is. Leonard's running ability helps solve some loaded-box scenarios, but Parker needs to work on being a fixer and one who can make those adjustments in game and not just in the week leading up to it. (more)

1:27

Hi Marie. Great week here and thanks for your email. We'll have a chance to ask Marcus Freeman that very question on Saturday, but my sense is that Minchey would only play in the situations win which Steve Angeli played during the regular season when Sam Hartman was the starter. Marcus Freeman very much wants to get to 10 wins. There is no substitute for live game action, but I will say Minchey facing the starting Notre Dame defense (eighth nationally in total defense) during USC week imitating Caleb Williams in practice was extremely valuable and telling, maybe even more so than facing a diluted Oregon State defense. The Beavers' defense at full strength was formidable. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

1:23

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. Hartman being out of the bowl game obviously gives Angeli a great opportunity, however, do you think the staff will plan to give a certain percentage of plays to Minchey or do you think Minchey will only play if the game is a blowout? I know staff will see a lot of both of them in spring practice, but there is really no substitute for seeing how people perform under the pressure of an actual game. Obviously, there is going to be a lot of pressure on Parker next year, what can he do during the off-season to improve as an offensive coordinator? Do you think ND will take a safety from the portal and if so, is there any interest in Austin Ausberry or Andrew Mukuba? Thanks for hosting the chat, and for all the great insights.

Eric Hansen

1:22

Hey Bobby. I don't think any rumor will ever impact ND, Now if it became reality and Florida State left the ACC for the Big Ten or someplace else, that's not what would trigger Notre Dame wanting to willingly give up its independence. What it would do is that if ND had to or wanted to leave the ACC, it would show Notre Dame the legal cost of doing so. Other than that, and I've said this before, the pillars to maintaining independence are: 1. A pathway to the national championship. So if the playoff format changed to no at-large teams, that would be a problem. 2. A place to house Notre Dame's basketball teams and most of its Olympic sports teams. As long as the ACC exists, that's a checkmark too. 3. A media rights deal that keeps Notre Dame competitive from a financial standpoint. The reports on the NBC extension hint that Notre Dame will be competitive there, at least through 2029.

Bobby from The Chi

1:16

Hey Eric, from “The Chi” big picture: Do you think that FSU to B1G rumors might impact ND? Do you think the way the ACC has seemed to deal with ND might hasten their exit? In your opinion, has the ACC been fair to ND? What went down on bowl selection Sunday, seemed shady. (Sorry if you got this twice, not tech savvy, but love your coverage). PS does ND bring in a new OC/play caller? Play caller seems like “headline writer” either you can do it or you can’t, and both cases are obvious to everyone

Eric Hansen

1:16

Happy Holidays Rui. It's funny that your first question is easier to answer than the second. To question 1, it does appear that way, and maybe it's a small sample size as a litmus test, but both Riley Leonard and Beaux Collins being admitted as true juniors is clearly significant. When I asked Marcus Freeman a couple of weeks ago about progress with admissions/administration about finding middle ground on transfers, he was effusive about the progress he perceived as happening. This would offers some tangible proof beyond his optimism. ... As to the 2024 schedule, geez hopefully by 2024. There's only one game that hasn't been placed ... the Shamrock Series game vs. Army at Yankee Stadium, presumably on Nov. 23.

Rui from Ossining, NY

1:08

Happy Holidays Eric…are we seeing admissions office taking a different approach with accepting undergrad transfers? When will 2024 entire schedule be released?

Eric Hansen

1:08

Dennis, you mean were they not in good standing? If they were not, they wouldn't be in good standing at their new school. So the answer would be none, if I understand you correctly.

Dennis

1:07

Dennis from Indianapolis. So how much did academics play in all the transfers from the football team?

Eric Hansen

1:06

Mike, bowl games outside the New Year's Six will never be the same again, and they may be even more unrecognizable next year when the playoff expands to 12 teams. I understand your frustration. I will still enjoy it, but I look at it through a different lens as more of a preview of what's to come in 2024 rather than a punctuation to the 2023 season. But in terms of what a fan has to invest in beyond emotion, I think it's tough to justify unless it's in a location you'd want to visit for reasons other than the bowl itself.

Mike Stillwater Ok

1:03

Will Notre Dame even be able to field a competitive team in the Sun Bowl? This is crazy, as a fan this just isn’t worth it. The cost of airfare, hotel, gas ,food and souvenirs is ridiculous , and I don’t get to see the team that played during the year. Go Irish ☘️

Eric Hansen

1:02

Hi Brad. Blake Fisher has already made up his mind to go pro. I think he could have benefitted by coming back and becoming a higher-round pick, but he believes he's ready. I never like to predict transfers by name. I can't imagine why Kenny Minchey or CJ Carr would want to bail. There wasn't the expectation they'd start in 2024. Steve Angeli could start somewhere else, so what he'd have to measure is whether he feels like he could be developed while backing up Leonard and if he feels he has a good shot to be the starter at ND in 2025? He did get better as a backup this year, and he loved having Sam Hartman on the team and the opportunity to learn from him. So he has options, and now he'll have a start under his belt.

Guest

12:58

Brad Millspaugh Muncie, IN. I have two questions. Do you think Blake Fisher should stay another year instead of entering the draft? Which QB will transfer in the spring since Riley Leonard will probably be the starter?

Eric Hansen

12:58

Hey Jonathan ... assuming everyone stays put and there are no more edge additions either from the portal ... I think Oben starts where Javontae Jean-Baptiste lined up last year, at the field end spot. Jordan Botelho would be the front-runner at the vyper spot, but Josh Burnham and Boubacar Traore are surging. So the rotations would look like at vyper Botelho, Tuihalamaka, Burnham and Traore with freshman Logan Thomas coming in. I'd put Cole Mullins there too. Behind Oben would be harder to project ... would one of the vypers move to that side? Aiden Gobaira will be coming off an ACL tear, but has upside. Tyson Ford and Brenan Vernon have auditioned at the field end but also inside. They'll sort that out in the spring. Freshman Bryce Young will try to get an early look. So lots of options, not a lot of certainty yet on who will rise to the occasion.

Jonathan in Hideaway, TX

12:51

Hi, Eric! Can you tell us your thoughts at the two DE spots now that RJ Oben has announced his intentions to join the Irish Fighters? What do you expect in the way of rotations there next season?

Eric Hansen

12:51

Hi Chris. Thanks for the invite. We are updating our depth chart every time there's been an opt-out. I would say, check back after Saturday again, once we've had a chance to Marcus Freeman and can get some questions answered about players possible moving around (like at WR). Here's the link.

Chris in Abq

12:49

Eric, hope all is well! Give me your best guess at the starting offense and defense for the Sun Bowl. Also, if I see you down there be prepared to have an adult beverage.

Eric Hansen

12:49

Manny!!!!!!!!!!! If everyone stays on board, and that's never to be assumed in today's college football, Notre Dame would have four very talented QBs in play to compete to be the starter in 2025 — CJ Carr, Kenny Minchey, Steve Angeli and incoming 2025 freshman Deuce Knight. The assumption is that Carr would rise from that group, but I wouldn't count out the others. Manny, I had no idea you were a Swiftie. You are truly a multi-dimensional man.

Manny in San Pedro

12:45

Love getting Leonard!!!!!!!! Is CJ the starter in 2025 or are we going to be transfer portaling the rest of my life!!! Also Happy Taylor Swift Birthday Eric!!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

12:44

Some breaking news, Notre Dame just received a commitment from Duke transfer defensive end R.J. Oben. Story here.

12:42

Don, way to sneak in the Heisman hype. If ND doesn't go to the portal for a center of a tackle, I think the front-runners from left to right tackle are Tosh Baker, Billy Schrauth, Pat Coogan/Ashton Craig, Rocco Spindler, Aamil Wagner. If Andrew Kristofic returns, he could challenge at several positions. Of the next wave of young linemen, I think Charles Jagusah had the best chance to surprise in spring.

Don

12:34

Los Angeles, Thanks Eric for these weekly talks, so helpful. What's your prediction of ND's offensive line next year, the one that will best help Riley get the Heisman?

Eric Hansen

12:34

Curt, as a college head coach, you have to plan for the best and the worst. I don't think a QB transferring out is a foregone conclusion, but Marcus didn't want to be on a position to have two coming out of spring and scrambling for a third and fourth. There might be a walk-on option, in Dartmouth's Nick Howard if the Irish need to add depth.

Curt Warsaw In

12:29

Eric, after listening to coach Freeman about the QB room. It almost sounds like he expects a QB transfer this spring. What are your thoughts? Thanks and merry xmas!

Eric Hansen

12:29

Hi Tom. If Xavier Watts did not come back in 2024 — and I think there's better odds that he does — Notre Dame would have five scholarship safeties on the roster, all with freshman eligibility. That's incoming freshmen Kennedy Urlacher, Tabron Bennie-Powell and Brauntae Johnson as well as redshirt freshmen Ben Minich and Adon Shuler. Also walk-on Luke Talich, who will likely be on scholarship next year, will be a sophomore. So if Watts leaves, it's possible they'd need two transfer safeties. I anticipate they'll take one to add to Watts and the talented young ones they have.

Tom from Golden Beach, Fla.

12:24

Our recruiting and portal additions at WR should significantly bolster that position group next year, but I'm still quite concerned about our depth at safety. Hopefully Xavier Watts returns, but even if he does it's still an area of great need. How hard has ND been pursuing portal candidates there?

Eric Hansen

12:22

Several, with the next one being this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET. We'll have all the coverage from it and insideNDsports.com.

Frank from Royse City, Texas

12:21

Will Freeman have a press conference before the bowl game?

Eric Hansen

12:21

Hi Doug. I actually have a 2024 scholarship chart ready to roll as soon as we hit National Signing Day next Wednesday. On that one, I've shifted Coogan to guard. HOWEVER, I do think he could be in play at center. Joe Rudolph professes to follow the same model of best five offensive linemen regardless of position. If that's the case, Ashton Craig, for instance, must not only be the best center candidate, he needs to be one of the best rive overall. So the center could be Craig or Coogan or someone who has never played center before ... as was the case when Jarrett Patterson and Nick Martin were moved there and ended up being two of the best centers in college football during their time.

Doug from Sunny Florida

12:18

Eric, Pat Coogan has always been listed on the scholarship chart as a Center. Do you anticipate him taking over the Center position long term which would then open up the guard position for someone like Schrauth?

Eric Hansen

12:17

Hi Jay. There are several questions today (so far) that touch different aspects of the bowl opt-outs. ...Unless there's a player who has been battling injuries all season and is just coming back and is a high-round draft pick, I don't think that's on the horizon. And the 12 seed doesn't play in the 1 in the first round. They'd play the 5. And then the 4. Wouldn't play the 1 until the semis. ... And even then, if a player opted out because he team was an overwhelming underdog, I think NFL teams would question that ... opting out of a non-playoff bowl game is very different.

Jay Granger IN

12:13

with bowl games turning into scrimmages with everyone opting out can you forsee a scenario next year with the expanded playoffs a 12 seed has players opt out when they are matched up against a one seed and overwhelming odds?

Eric Hansen

12:12

OK, enough of that ... still no manifestos or 17-part questions. I'm not that much of a pushover ... off we go ...

12:11

I made these concessions because I had a brain cramp and didn't properly post the question portal link in a story that I should have, leaving you all to be creative in finding ways to get to the chat. So, thank you for putting up with me.

Now, as far as the rules go ... Spit, gamble, drink and kick off your shoes this week ... but no fighting.

12:10

Here are the rules: