JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 14, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 14, 2022

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Eric Hansen

1:11

Hi Drew. Both this year and last. But last year, Marcus Freeman had not met many of the offensive recruits and many of them were teetering. They also had not gotten a commitment from Billy Schrauth, so that was stop No. 1 last year. This year, ND is playing defense against NIL among other things. Good observation.

Guest

1:08

Drew, D.C.: Eric, would you agree that the ND coaches are doing much more this year to make sure their verbal commits stay committed and sign their LOI? The amount of travel that the coaches have logged in the past few weeks has been unbelievable. While it may not always turn out in ND's favor, you can't blame these coaches for lack of effort. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:07

Jack, thank you. I appreciate you. And Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Jack Strongsville Ohio

1:06

Hi Eric. Subscriber since you transferred over from SBT. Just want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. Thanks for a great and interesting year.

Eric Hansen

1:06

Hi Marie. Great week here, and I hope yours is good as well. And thanks for your questions ... tough ones this week. Let's start with the easier one. As of November, I don't think Braden Lenzy had any desire to come back to ND for a sixth year ... not out of bitterness, but out of a sense of it's time to move on. Maybe he changes his mind, but I wouldn't count on it. ... Position changes are a difficult read until we see all the portal additions. Even then, I don't see anything drastic. Maybe Chris Tyree to slot receiver, deciding whether Rylie Mill's future is inside or out, maybe some natural tackles competing for the two open guard spots, subtle moves like that. The 2024 recruiting cycle needs to be broad in its emphasis. The QB is already in the class. And the Irish need to continue to upgrade wide receiver and cornerback -- and build depth with those upgrades. Not so obvious but very important -- getting elite defensive linemen in that class.

Marie from Atlanta

12:56

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. Is there any scenario in which you see Braden Lenzy staying for a sixth year? He was open a lot this year. If the starting quarterback could get the ball to him, he could have a pretty productive final season. Which players do you think are poised for a position change for the 2023 season? Along the same lines what positions do you think most need to be the focus of the 2024 recruiting class? As always thanks for hosting the chat and look forward to hearing your insights.

Eric Hansen

12:55

Merry Christmas, Mike. I would love to play psychic here, but I don't have enough info to even guess at next year's record until I see who's competing at QB as well as how some other position groups fill out after the bowl. I'll be happy to make myself look stupid at that time. As far as the 2023 schedule, I reached out to someone high on the food chain as far as those things go, and I was told it's "very, very close" to being released.

Mike, Gilbert AZ

12:52

Eric, I’m interested in your thoughts for next year. ND has 2 top tackles, loaded RB room, 2 top CB’s. Obvious questions about LB, DL, and QB. ND gets Ohio State and USC at home. Road slate doesn’t look that hard with the exception of Clemson. I think Sneed and Kollie need to win/earn spots. We know the freshman class is loaded along with this years recruiting class. But a year from now you might have both ALT and Fisher heading out early. Next year with better LB and QB play they can win every game on the schedule. What do you say? Also, do you know when they announce the entire 2023 schedule? Merry Christmas to you and your family. Cheers!

Eric Hansen

12:52

Ideally, Sneed and Kollie can still get some game reps.

12:51

Hi Gene. I think it would be ideal if both quarterbacks got some game opportunities, though they're both getting a lot of practice reps. If the flow of the game dictates Angeli play, that would be a plus. I'd probably give him a series or two if I'm in charge, but I am not (as far as I know). If ND brings in a portal QB as expected, I don't think there's an expectation that Angeli would be competing to be the No. 1 QB in 2023. But there is optimism about his long-term future and same game time would give the staff some more data points to consider along those lines. With the young linebackers, they've gotten a lot of work in the first four practices. It's going to be harder to work them into the game for this reason: South Carolina is already bad in the run game and lost its leading rusher to an opt out. They are going to be even more dependent on the pass, and so nickel is going to be the order of the day -- meaning a lot of downs with just two linebackers on the field.

Gene from Wyckoff NJ

12:45

Eric, regardless of who starts the bowl game, don't you think it is imperative that Angelli see some meaningful minutes, including opportunities to throw the ball. He still feels like an unknown quantity at this point and it would feel like a disservice if he were not allowed to show what he has, and not just handing the ball off in garbage time. Same question on the young linebackers. Would love to see how they look after a season in the books. I know there has to be a balance as a win in the game is still important, but what better opportunity to evaluate than real game. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

12:41

Merry Christmas, Len. ... Interesting hypothetical here. For Golden, it would be for LB Jaylen Sneed to show the potential to be a prototypical rover -- the kind like JOK who doesn't have to come off the field on third down and who's skill set allows you to play less nickel coverage. For Rees, a healthy and efficient Tyler Buchner. For Marcus Freeman, a big bounce-back game for WR Lorenzo Styles.

Len from the Jersey Shore

12:37

Hello Eric, Merry Christmas to you, your family and the staff at Rivals. If coach Freeman, Golden, Mason and Rees each had one Christmas Wish to be granted during the Gator Bowl for a particular player to step up and show what to expect for next year, who would the player be and what would be that performance? For example Tyler Buchner running the ball and not getting hurt.

Eric Hansen

12:36

Andrew, you've been sandbagging on us. That's a GREAT question. Thanks for jumping in and asking it. You're right, there's some unique aspects to each pitch, but with the NFL opportunities very close, that becomes front and center. That was a big incentive for Ben Skowonek moving from Northwestern to ND a few years ago, and it worked. Cody Riggs was interested in the one-year MBA program and got his master's in one year. ND isn't going to go after or attract many players who were disgruntled over playing time. They can offer exposure, competition upgrades and the option to start a master's program or take a less challenging academic track. With high school recruits, it's the 4-for-40 template, player development, challenging yourself in a place that's not easy, more big-picture things and NIL opportunities.

Andrew from Cincinnati

12:29

Hi Eric, this is my first time submitting a question so hopefully it's not a dumb one. I'm curious about transfer recruiting with Freeman, Rees and Golden. We've all obviously seen and heard about the recruiting abilities of this staff over the last year+, but how does recruiting a transfer differ from recruiting a 16 year old HS junior, and are there any characteristics that stand out to you about this staff's ability to do that? Obviously a pitch is somewhat unique for every player, I'd just like to know what differences you've seen/heard that go on when compared to recruiting a 4-star player in HS to a former 4-star player who's played a few years of college football already. Thanks for taking the time!

Eric Hansen

12:28

Ha, Terry. As long as they don't wear the same uniform number. Can you imagine if ND lands the Virginia Tech transfer to go along with the Kaleb who's signing out of high school next Wednesday? We'd have to come up with a nickname for one of them when writing about them or talking about them on the air. I don't think Thing 1 and Thing 2 will work. You better watch yourself about advertising your eggnog. You're close enough for me to come over and sample it.

Terry Loadfarmer, Mishawaka IN

12:25

Hi Eric, does it violate the Geneva Convention to potentially have two Kaleb Smiths on the roster playing the same position?? The eggnog is flowing buddy ;)

Eric Hansen

12:25

Hi Rico. Going into the season he was pretty determined that he was going to enter the draft after the season. But because of injuries toward the end of the season and kind of a so-so year when he was healthy, he's pumped the brakes a little to get some legit feedback from the NFL before he makes a final decision. Justin Ademilola is kind of in the same boat (though he wasn't injured). I think Peyton Bowen is definitely someone who will be in the safety rotation if he signs. But if Joseph leaves, ND may need/want to add from the portal as well.

Rico Blumpkin, Nashville TN

12:22

Hi Eric, has there been any word on whether Brandon Joseph intends to return next season? If not do you feel that the safety commit Bowen (assuming he signs on the dotted line) is talented enough to get time as a true freshman?

Eric Hansen

12:22

Hi Sean, and thanks for watching. Yes, it would have been nice for Cane to decide to transfer BEFORE the show. But here's how things unfolded. I specifically asked Marcus Freeman on Saturday if he anticipated any more players opting out before the bowl game, whether it be transfers or for NFL reasons. His assessment was they were done with the opt-outs, but did kind of couch it unless someone changed their mind. Apparently Cane Berrong did. Maybe he didn't like that in the four practices ND has held, he was still option No. 4 among the four healthy tight ends. One thing I've noticed with this new portal window and in this cycle of transfers, there seems to be a lot more emotion and impulsivity involved in the timing of some of these decisions across the country. I think ND will have more players hit the portal after the bowl game. Unless there's an injury, I don't expect any of the other draft hopefuls to opt out.

Sean, Portland OR

12:15

Watched your Monday night show, and at the time it seemed like the transfer portal stuff was done in terms of outgoing players from ND, at least until post-bowl or Spring. Maybe that was based on Marcus Freeman's recent comments. Almost immediately after your show ended, Cane Berrong entered the portal. Do you think there's any other flight risks pre-bowl? Your show also discussed Patterson and Lugg not opting out at this point... particularly re: Patterson; is it confirmed that he is playing in the bowl? Or assumed because he has not mentioned anything about opting out? I would love to see what Buchner can do behind an o-line that is playing well. It's not something he was able to experience this year.

Eric Hansen

12:14

I would say the June enrollees have a good chance to impact the team as well as the early guys. Ben Morrison was a good example of that in this last freshman class. How many freshmen get significant opportunities in 2023 depends a lot on the outgoing and incoming transfers that are still to come. But given the way the roster looks right now, I'd say the safeties, especially Peyton Bowen, will get a long look as will the four incoming wide receivers. Depending in attrition, the cornerbacks -- Bell and Gray -- could push into the two-deeps. Jeremiyah Love at RB/WR/KR, DE Brenan Vernon and LB Drayk Bowen may also be ready for early duty.

12:08

As far as what kind of impact that might have ...

12:07

JANUARY ENROLLMENT
LB Jaiden Ausberry
LB Drayk Bowen
S Peyton Bowen
WR Rico Flores Jr.
CB Christian Gray
WR Jaden Greathouse
WR Braylon James
RB Jayden Limar
QB Kenny Minchey
OL Sam Pendleton
DT Devan Houstan
DB Ben Minich
S Adon Shuler
LB Preston Zinter
JUNE ENROLLMENT
OT Sullivan Absher
CB Micah Bell
TE Cooper Flanagan
ATH Brandyn Hillman
OT Charles Jagusah
RB Jeremiyah Love
DE Armel Mukam
OG Joe Otting
WE Kaleb Smith
OG Chris Terek
DE Boubacar Traore
DE Brenan Vernon

Gilbert Gutierrez, Portland ME

12:05

Hi Eric, are you able to confirm who the early enrollees will be and what impact that will have on the youth movement moving forward into next season? Do you anticipate significant true freshmen involvement next year?

Eric Hansen

Let the chatting commence.

12:05

Here are the rules:

As for the chat, please include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question(s).

12:04

Recruiting writer Kyle Kelly will host a subscribers-only recruiting chat in the Insider Lounge on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST.
Finally, as far as this chat, we’ll break for football recruiting’s National Signing Day next Wednesday, but I’ll be back chatting Wednesday, Dec. 28, at noon ET.

Tyler James and I were back with our YouTube show, Monday Night Live, this week. We break down the Gator Bowl’s war of attrition between Notre Dame and South Carolina with the opt-outs and transfers, life after Drew Pyne both now at ND and with its portal possibilities, a recruiting reset, and awards and snubs.The show continues its run next Monday night at 7 ET. If you can’t catch us live, you can watch anytime during the week, as the show keeps its shelf life going through the entire week.

12:03

Some quick programming notes:
If you haven’t already, check out this week’s Inside ND Sports podcast presented by Dead Soxy with our special guest Tom Zbikowski. The former Irish All-America safety spent this past season venturing into coaching, as a defensive quality control coach at Western Michigan. He joined Tyler James and me to discuss Notre Dame's first season under head coach Marcus Freeman, what preparing for a bowl game is like, if he would have sat out a bowl game, his best bowl memory, his transition from boxing to coaching, if he thinks college football coaching is his future, why it's important to him and more.

12:02

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