JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Dec. 17, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Dec. 17, 2025

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Eric Hansen

2:30

Charles Jagusah is draft eligible as a true junior/redshirt sophomore. But he has only played in 3 games and 0 since January. I can't imagine he'd leave now. Eli Raridon will be in the draft, because he is out of college eligibility. There's no decision to be made there. ... I think I'll end up watching the playoff games. I just love watching college football that much.

2:27

Bob!!! My mom would be proud of your exclamation points. I'll have to tell her. Billy Schrauth has worked around injuries to log 22 starts in his career so far, so there's plenty of tape. But I think his best football is still ahead of him. And that's his internal tug-of-war. Does he want to do it another years as a grad student at ND or in the NFL. If I were him, I'd come back. I think that's what he'll do but not super confident in that projection. (more)

bob gorman oak park, il

2:21

Eric!!! I hear Billy Schrauth's name mentioned as someone who may declare for the NFL draft. Does he have enough on tape for them to evaluate? I do not recall him playing that much the past couple of years. (My memory is not what it used to be in any event.) Does the same possibility exist for Jagusah? Seems like he has been on the sideline more than on the field. Did I hear the AD Pete say last week that Eli Raridon may also be declaring for the NFL? Hope not. Wouldn't all these guys benefit from another year at ND? I am not going to be watching much CFP unless it is the Buckeyes given my son's love for them. Skip the rest. All of sudden, the NFL is more attractive.

Eric Hansen

2:21

MikD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're winning the punctuation game today, I might have to give Scott's frozen turkey leg away to you. So again let's take inventory. You mentioned all of the options except freshman Ian Premer. And even though he's one of the only 3 freshmen not enrolling early, I expect him to see playing time in 2026. But I think the top of the depth chart will be Flanagan and Flanigan or Flanigan (James) and Flanagan (Cooper). The Irish could go to the portal, but I think only if they lose Larsen or Washington or if there are health concerns with Cooper Flanagan.

MikeD from Rochester NY

2:16

Hi, Eric!!!!!!!! Another fine episode of FNS this week, I really enjoy the observations and insights you and Tyler provide. With Eli Raridon moving on (hopefully to a career in the NFL), who on the current roster can fill his big shoes? Ty Washington and Jack Larsen haven’t shown enough to seem to be likely choices. Do they go to the transfer portal for a go-to TE or hope the Flanagan/Flanagan boys are going to step up?

Eric Hansen

2:16

Hi Marie and Merry Christmas to you and your daughter. The recent addition to a home-and-home with Auburn and the longtime series with Clemson kind of flies in the face of this, don't you think? And what is the advantage of FORCING Notre Dame to join a conference if it's not YOUR conference? Now, might it become more difficult to schedule meaningful Power 4 games in November beyond ACC teams? We're already there. I think that's the real challenge for Pete Bevacqua. I put together a hot board on possible candidates for Bullough's replacement. I think given what's coming back next year and who the head coach is, it shouldn't be a struggle to find someone great. As far as winning the national title, I hadn't given it any thought until last night and I am not confident in my pick. But I went with Indiana, Now keep in mind, my preseason pick to end up in the title game was Notre Dame vs. Texas, so copycat my pick at your own peril!

Marie from atlanta

2:09

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week, thanks for continuing to host the chats. There’s been at least one article out there and a lot of smoke about athletic directors potentially boycotting playing Notre Dame in the future. I know a lot of of this is clickbait, but can you envision a scenario where this might happen? At that point, would Notre Dame be cornered into joining a conference? Do you have any thoughts on potential replacements for Max Bullough at linebackers coach? Finally, Who are you picking to win the national championship this year? Thanks again for hosting the chats and all your great insights.

Eric Hansen

“So, that’s what I believe in. I can tell you what our culture is. It’s what they feel, it’s what you feel when you’re in this building [Guglielmino Athletics Complex]. And what you feel is going to be determined not on what money you make.”

2:07

Marcus Freeman: “There’s still a lot of similarities between what college football is becoming and the NFL. I still think culture wins in the NFL. I do. I think, as you look at some of the successful franchises or organizations in the NFL, there’s still culture.
“And so, because they’re making money, that has no difference in the culture you are creating in the building. The money you make is the money you make. When you walk into our building, the culture is what you should feel. The culture is what is demanded around here. And that’s how we operate around here. It doesn’t matter how much money you make. You’re not treated that way. You’re not treated any different, no matter if you’re making more money than this person or if your role’s bigger than this person. You’re treated the way you go about your business, and I think that’s important. (more)

2:06

I asked Marcus Freeman this summer about how to keep the locker room unified this summer and how to keep the culture when the world around the team and the locker room is changing so much. Here is what he said:

2:04

And this applies to high school recruits as well ...
"So, sometimes it makes some of the negotiations over NIL difficult. And you’re dealing with, at times, agents who, some of them are the greatest in the world to work with. There’s some that aren’t as easy to work with.

“And then there’s families that represent themselves, and then there’s even young men that represent themselves. And I just think you find yourself constantly trying to adjust to who you’re working with. But I think here it’s transparency with them.

“Transparency as to how we see them from an evaluation — a valuation standpoint. And I just think being up front, being clear with them, helped us to sort of navigate that space. “But it’s still something we’re working through."

2:02

Tom. Merry Christmas to you, and sorry that another road trip to Atlanta isn't in store. In addition to everything else on that trip, it was great to get a chance to meet you and Marie in person for dinner. ... Toy shopping? Well of the eight of them, only two are girls and one of those can't speak English yet, so there is only one challenge ... and she makes it easy on me. As to your questions. Yes, ND can talk to third-party reps before the portal opens. Who represents them? This is from a piece I did earlier this month featuring ND general manager Mike Martin: Inside Notre Dame GM Mike Martin’s morphing world of recruiting, NIL and the transfer portal (more)

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

1:54

Hi Eric. I hope that you are doing well and are getting ready for a Merry Christmas. Have you ever heard of any of the toys that the grandkids asked for??? We are at about 50%. Portal questions: Can ND talk to players and/or reps before the Portal opens? Are these players generally represented by "family Lawyers" or actual sports agents? With portal adds and other new factors, how does MF keep the locker room together? Does he talk about this with the former NFL fathers about keeping things in line????? Go Irish!!! Oh, go OU and A&M. Not that I'm bitter!!!!!!! My best wishes for a great Holiday Season for you!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:49

Len!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you and Marry Christmas to you. Appreciate you.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:48

Hello Eric! No questions today. Still getting over not seeing this team play again this season in the CFP. We will miss the possible matchup of Ohio State WR's Smith & Tate against Moore/Gray, or Moore/Gray against the Indiana wideouts, and watching J Love run against anyone. Just want to wish you a Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for all the time you put into these chats.

Eric Hansen

1:48

Merry Christmas Ed. That ship has sailed. Tre Reader, as you astutely noted, would have been great to retain, but he is at Michigan State with Max now.

Ed from Sayville

1:47

Merry Christmas Eric! It’s nice to see Max Bullough get a great opportunity at MSU. Disappointed he will not be on staff, but good for him. Do you know if there been any discussion regarding trying to retain Tre Reader? It would be great to keep a known resource in the linebacker room.

Eric Hansen

1:47

Of the two freshmen, Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne, i wouldn't rule out either one getting int he mix, but if I had to pick one, I'd pick Walton. I'm not sure where Gi'Bran fits if he stays, but I don't think he could get into the top 2. Lots of talent.

1:44

Hi Sean. I followed your orders. So let's take inventory. If no one else leaves, there are six running backs. Of those six, I'd say Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr. have the inside track to be 1-2 or 2-1 or 1 and 1A. Kedren Young is a wild card. The timing of his ACL tear would likely mean he'd be ready for the start of the 2026 season barring a setback, but how much runway will he have and will there be mental hurdles to overcome? (more)

Sean, Portland OR

Ignore the JD Price part of my last question, he just declared for the NFL

1:38

Greater or lesser than a 10% chance Jadarian Price stays at ND as RB1? Assuming he goes to the NFL, is the projected depth chart Aneyas #1, Kedren Young #2, who at #3? Limited chances with other backups, but Nolan James hasn't done much with his opportunities. Perhaps one of the highly touted incoming Freshman?

Eric Hansen

1:35

And speaking of turkey legs, there's one fully cooked one in the freezer with your name on it if you happen to be driving through town!

1:34

Scott!!!! Thank you and it was funny, I heard an add about "last-minute" Christmas shopping, and I thought, "Oh, should I have started yet?" I've been asked various forms of the portal question each week, but my thoughts have shifted, so why don't I put them in priorities. This is more what I THINK they need, but I think it's close to their list. Yop priorities -- 1. Interior Defensive Line, 2. Backup QB, 3. Boundary Receiver, Kicker/punter. Next tier - nickel/cornerback, maybe an edge rusher if you think Bryce Young is on track to eventually move inside and if you're hesitant about Loghan Thomas adding size. Also maybe a linebacker if you lose one of the rotation guys and KVA's recovery timeline is too deep into 2026.

Scott, Greenville SC

Got cut off. 2) Similar to the first, what positions will ND look to fill through the portal? I wish you a wonderful Christmas for you and your family. I hear turkey legs are popular for Christmas too! All the best to the best journalist in the business. I'm looking forward to your articles in 2026, especially when ND marches towards another championship season!

1:26

Hey Eric!!! Another Wednesday, another day to hear the sage of South Bend! I hope you are doing well a week before Christmas. I suppose I should start shopping! Hey, a couple quick questions to close out the year. 1) ND should have a stable of starters returning next year. Are you concerned anybody them, minus Love and Price, will declare for the draft or transfer to another team? The oline has exceptional depth; secondary is loaded; if Williams stays, the RB room has numbers and skill; if KVA can somehow make it back by October, LB should be loaded as well. How do you see the WRs, dline, and TE rooms? QB is great but do we have talent behind Carr?

Eric Hansen

1:25

And speaking of Jadarian Price, he is headed to the NFL. Breaking news: RB Jadarian Price to enter NFL Draft, forego last year of Notre Dame eligibility

1:23

2) I think everyone's taking notice. Portal players. High school players. It's a great selling point. ... Thank you and Merry Christmas.

1:22

The sticking point is how many credits will transfer. And generally it's a lower number than you might think. So low, sometimes ND admissions doesn't want to take a player. But sometimes it's the player who opts out, not wanting to make up that much ground lost academically. So this will be a really intriguing case, and there will be a lot of competition for Marsh, He's really good. (more)

1:18

Happy Holidays, Don. Michigan State outgoing transfer Nick Marsh would be an athletic fit for the Irish and he's someone where there was at least initial mutual interest when he was coming out of high school in the same class as Cam Williams. Logan Saldate, Micah Gilbert. The curveball is the year in school, just having finished his sophomore year, which is the opposite of a sweet spot to get into Notre Dame. Not impossible. Elijah Hughes was able to thread the needle last year coming in from USC. (more)

Don from LA

1:07

Happy Holidays, Eric. The tree and the barefeet are up, Johnny Mathis (and Pogues) playing... WR room: love the young talent we have but aside from Faison, not a lot of experience. 1. Nick Marsh seems to perfectly fit our needs. But he is a Sophomore. Any idea if CMF will be able to get the U to admit an underclassman like Nick? 2. CJ had a remarkable season and will be a top 3 QB next year -- do you expect other portal talent to take notice? Thanks, Merry Christmas!

Eric Hansen

1:06

It gave Mickens an opportunity to learn another system from the ground up. The question is can he handle defensive line issues that a coordinator would have to. He certainly has all the other pieces ... the back end knowledge, leadership qualities, recruiting, very impressive. If that final piece is in place, he probably has one more year at best at ND, I'm guessing.

1:04

Hi Don. Thanks for the shopping strategy and for your perspective on the handling of the playoff snub. To your main question, which is about Mike Mickens. When you have a staff as impressive as Marcus Freeman has, there's going to be people who want to hire them away. The next logical step for Mickens is to be a defensive coordinator. He's the longest-tenured (continuously) of the assistants. When I talked to someone I respect on the coaching business before the season, they thought there was a great benefit to staying at least a year under Chris Ash. (more)

Don in Scottsdale

I must have hit return...there were two possible outcomes if he didn't cover Freeman and both would have been bad. Freeman could have stated ND's case as Bevaqua did or he could have tried to keep things calm. Either way he comes out bad. With the spotlight on the AD he can coach the team and focus on what he needs to for 2026. The media will scorch ND the next hot thing comes alive and won't mention it again until there is a slow day and they need an ND headline for clicks. My question is about the assistant coaches. Losing the LB coach is not a surprise. Although disappointing CMF is an LB coach; he can get another good one. My concern is the others. Can he hang on to Mickens? I read Washington was mentioned for Boston College HC. Would he leave for a coordinator role? As of today, which coaches are vulnerable to sales pitch. Don't know if there will be another chat next week...if not have a Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and a Happy New Year$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

12:56

Eric, 8 days till the grandkids tear open the gifts....I hope you are ready! We are getting there and if deliveries aren't delayed, all will be great. A comment before my question. AD Bevacqua was slammed by the media for his comments last week. I thought he did exactly what was needed. He kept CMF out of the fight and clearly stood up for ND. Had he not stepped into the fray Freeman would have been the voice for ND.

Eric Hansen

12:55

Running back is a position where tread on the tires matters. And getting to the NFL now is a huge pull that way. Price's draft stock is very high. The other side of it is, Price and his family process things differently. They're very grounded, very value-driven. Just look at his decision to stay at ND instead of transferring last year. He's truly a remarkable person who I admire. So he is a tough read. If you press me, I think he goes to the draft, but I'm not willing to bet eating a giant turkey leg over it.

12:52

Hi Ryan. The financial shift in college football has completely changed the calculus when it comes to someone like Jadarian Price. Five years ago, it would have made no sense for him to come back with degree already in hand when he leaves. But now there is incentive. I know ND would love to have him back. There are two additional pulls here, and they are pulling in different directions. (more)

Guest

12:50

Ryan - Fort Wayne, IN - What are the chances of Jadarian Price coming back to ND next year? I think he could really raise his stock and lead a still-lethal Irish backfield even without J Love. Wishful thinking or a possible reality?

Eric Hansen

12:50

Mike/Mo from Eric/Eric !^! It makes tremendous sense, especially with no spring portal this year (and likely future years) AND that you have the scholarship flexibility to do that now with 85 no longer being the cap. And bring in players who could possibly win those jobs, so Schmidt will have to complete for them,

Mike AKA Mo from Maumee OH

12:48

Hi Eric !^! It sounds like frosh Erik Schmidt was an All-Star at both placekicking & punting in high school. After seeing how a non-contact injury hobbled portal PK Burnette for most of the season, and since punter phenom Rendell (one touchback in two seasons- you gotta be kidding me!?!) is most likely out of eligibility, would it make sense to look to the portal for two guys- a backup placekicker and a backup punter? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

12:47

Hi Rich, not only did former Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick have a vote in the original 12-team format, he was the architect of it. And he was willing to make certain concessions for fairness and for "the good of college football" as he put it. And in one year, some of those advantages conferences had disappeared. I think there are potential for other positive evolutions as well as some stupid ones, mostly being pushed by Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti. If the CFP powers do adopt the 5-11 model, yes that does leave more room for deserving at-large teams. But there's also a push to allot those spots to the various conferences, leaving few at-large spots.

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