JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 21, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 21, 2023

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Eric Hansen

2:22

Like Marvin Harrison Jr.'s? The other DBs (and the pass rush) deserve credit too. Grabbing or no grabbing, I's take Ben Morrison on my team all day, every day.

2:20

Tim, why the click here function was missing until right before the chat was because the idiot who sets it up (me) forgot to do it. It amazed me how many of you still were able to work around my mistake. We got it right this week. I'm going to leave your holding/grabbing observations to you and not question them. What I will question is equating that to the absence of All-America honors. I think if ND was in the College Football Playoff, Ben Morrison is one player who would have had more play in the postseason honor arena. He also happened to play in the same defensive backfield as the first unanimous All-American at safety in Notre Dame history. So, it's hard to give two DBs from a 9-3 team AA honors, even if deserved. BUT consider this. He played on the first Notre Dame team to finish a regular season as No. 1 in pass-efficiency defense since the stat was put into play by the NCAA decades ago. And look at the stats of the guys he covered when they played ND vs. the rest of the year. (more)

Tim Thompson

2:14

Hello all.Last week the “click here” would not activate. Glad it is back. Throughout this season one thing that stood out to me was how often Benjamin Morrison was using poor te hnique and holding/grabbing. Thought it was just me, but looks to have been confirmed by no All-American mention. While assuming he was not targeted often, something seems to be off. Oh, Nantucket, MA.

Eric Hansen

2:14

The position groups question ... small sample sizes, but I feel very good about the running backs, about the QB, about the wide receivers universally. Then it's kind of mix and match with some of the other position groups. So that's either a crummy answer or a much more difficult question than you realized. Merry Christmas.

2:11

Len, those are easy questions? Please don't show me the hard ones. Let's start with the New Jersey question. Notre Dame signed 23 high school recruits. They came from 15 states, so the math alone means some parts of the country are going to be wondering why they were underrepresented. Just because Notre Dame didn't sign a high school player from New Jersey, doesn't mean they didn't do their due diligence in that state or that they won't go back for more in future cycles. You follow the talent, wherever it is. In the 2025 cycle, for instance, Notre Dame has players committed from Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas, Since 2010, Notre Dame has only previously signed one prospect from each of those states ... so follow the talent. (more)

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:02

Hi Eric, Merry Christmas to all. A few easy ?'s for you. As an example using OT's; Blake Fischer, Josh Lugg and Tosh Baker were all considerably higher ranked recruits than Joe Alt. I think everyone would be in agreement that Joe Alt has had the better college career. Quenton Nelson was a highly ranked recruit who panned out as expected. On this signing day in your educated opinion what position groups perform closest to their rankings? Second, over the past few years I have heard stories about the need for ND to recruit better in Illinois, Ala. GA, LA, the Virginia tidewater region and Charlotte. This to be added to the traditional power states of FL, TX and CA. while keeping strong in Hawaii and the NJ private school teams. Over the past 2 seasons players from that NJ league have performed well at ND. Howard Cross and Audric Estime have garnered AA mention this year. JOB was probably the best portal addition on D. Next year it might be the DE Xfer from Duke. Why no recruits from NJ this yr.?

Eric Hansen

2:01

Hi Jules. Really appreciate the compliments. 1. Ty Chan was a four-star Rivals250 prospect coming out of high school in Mass., whose high school development was affected somewhat by COVID-19 restrictions in that part of the country and has been affected at Notre Dame by intermittent injuries. He's a good guy to have on your roster, and has skills to gain traction at tackle or inside. Just hasn't been able to do so yet. Keep in mind he's just a sophomore/redshirt freshman. Still plenty of time. 2. Matt Balis indicated last summer that his resignation was for personal reasons. I haven't come across any info that would dispute that. And when he's ready to tell his story, I'll be happy to share it.

Jules, Joliet, Il

1:54

Great job on these chats and the “Football Never Sleeps (FSN) shows. Thank you. Two questions: 1. There is a lot of discussion on the O line on the various ND shows. One name never mentioned (other than you and Tyler on FSN) is Ty Chan. Can you talk of his progression? It seems that linemen from the 23 and 24 classes are getting more consideration than he is. 2. Can you shed any light on the departure of Matt Ballis? Was it a money issue or possibly personal reasons (illness, maybe)?

Eric Hansen

1:52

Skip, what is the meaning of life? Now answer that in four sentences. That's kind of what you're asking me to do. I'd want MORE than a Pulitzer if I could pull that off. How about world peace, happy/healthy grandkids and an a new eBike? I think the hardest part of it is my thoughts would have a short shelf life, because the picture with both in constantly changing. My biggest concern in my reporting is can Notre Dame thrive or even exist in that world. So far, there are encouraging signs that it can. Tomorrow may be different, but for today, Notre Dame can compete.

skip from Houston

1:48

How would you like to win an easy Pulitzer Prize? Please write an expose of the "facts" relating to NIL and the transfer portal. Earlier this week Laine Higgins stated in the Wall Street Journal, "Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said last month that top quarterbacks on the transfer market can fetch between $1 and $2 million". Muffet McGraw, in talking about NIL and the transfer portal said this week, "I really hate them ... now you just call a school and go, 'I want to transfer. How much are you giving me?' ... like donors saying, 'Here's a million dollars. Play quarterback for me.' " An expected 2nd day draftee was recently advised to stay in school - "you can make more money". I invite your comments and thoughts.

Eric Hansen

1:46

Jeff, Happy Holidays to you and thanks for your sentiments and support. ... There is not the a rich market for offensive linemen, especially offensive tackles, at the moment (which could change eventually). If you look at the Rivals transfer tracker, the No. 1 O-lineman who WAS in the portal, Oklahoma guard Cayden Green, is an interior guy and is headed to Missouri. He is the No. 9 transfer prospect overall. The next is No. 24 Chase Bisontis, a tackle for Texas A&M, who withdrew and is going back to A&M. No. 3 is a player who hasn't practiced or played in two years because of a head injury and is an interior guy. Yep, at No. 29 it's Notre Dame outgoing transfer Joey Tanona, who's headed to Purdue. Notre Dame has talent at tackle but not experience talent. I'm going to include a screenshot from our scholarship chart. The squares go from freshman ELIGIBILITY on the left to seniors on the right. Redshirt years have been factored in. The smart move may be to wait until the spring period.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:32

Hey Eric, I first want to wish you and your two amigos a Merry Christmas and some time off (eventually) with family. I remember your story of your grandmother making sure presents were given to kids despite tough finances. But for ND football… did they miss on an OL transfer or did they decide to take a pass and revisit after assessing internal talent in the spring when the next transfer window opens? Cheers-

Eric Hansen

1:31

Bob, thanks for a phone-a-friend (actually text a friend) lifeline, I have your answer. Gino Guidulgi will be on the sideline calling plays. New WRs coach Mike Brown notably will also be on the sideline. The eyes in the booth with be those of senior offensive analyst Caleb Carbine, who is the interim tight ends coach for the bowl game.

Bob Loganville, GA

1:28

Eric, Do you know if Gino will be on the field or in the booth calling plays for the bowl game? If in the booth will he have a designated coach to help Angeli? Or communicate only over the phone?

Eric Hansen

1:28

Tom. thank you and to you as well. .... I haven't spoken to Drew but hope to in the New Year. But I'll go in precedent here. Notre Dame has had a program in place for players to come back to get their degrees at no cost to them. That was designed for players who left early for the NFL. I'm not sure it would apply to transfers, but I will check into it. I think Drew's purpose for coming back is twofold -- he wants an ND degree. And by getting a degree, he can transfer a second time without having to sit out. He wants to start somewhere. If he stayed at ND as a walk-on, he would not be a priority and would get maybe third-team reps?

Tom from Toronto

1:23

Hi Eric, I hope that Santa is good to you and Tyler. And it is good to hear that this year has been the best ever for you. A couple of Drew Pyne questions. As he will be returning to ND as a student, will this be on his own nickel, so to speak? Would it be possible for him to join the team as a walk on, and if he did, would he be able to play next year or does he have to sit out the year? While this may not be a very likely scenario, one never knows when a team might need an experienced QB who is familiar with the system. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:23

Yes, I had a brain cramp, and someone pointed it out to me (maybe you) on X/Twitter, and it is fixed now.

David -NY

1:22

I didn’t see Kris Mitchell on the latest scholarship/eligibility chart. Any reason for that?

Eric Hansen

1:21

Hi Chris and Happy Holidays! I'm going to be a little cryptic here, as I have shared my thoughts extensively with our subscribers on our Insider Lounge message board. If you're a subscriber, you can join in the conversation there. If not, what are you doing with your life? ... I have hearing names. I would advocate for LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and have been since the job opened. Marcus Freeman, I believe, has a No. 1 candidate in mind. Are they the same person? Would Denbrock consider leaving LSU? I think all of those things will reveal themselves sooner than later.

Chris in Abq

1:13

Hey Eric, Happy Holidays! I am sure I am the only one wondering about candidates for the O.C. lol. Are you hearing any names you can share or is there a guy you would prefer to see in the position.

Eric Hansen

1:13

Alan, Happy Holidays to you as well. And you're in luck. I brought that exact subject matter up at the National Signing Day press conference Wednesday ... and the short answer is, the administration is finding middle ground that will expand Notre Dame football's (and presumably other sports as well) pool of incoming transfer candidates on a yearly basis. Not unchecked, but reasonably expanded. I wrote about that and some other significant developments on the transfer portal front yesterday. I suggest you give it a read if you have time for the depth on your question and additional info: The big-picture themes that matter most in Notre Dame's transfer haul.

Alan from Monero, New Mexico

1:08

Hello, Eric, happy last days of Advent, and here's to a great upcoming Yuletide Season. Can you kindly help me understand Notre Dame's position on undergraduate transfer students, especially regarding Riley Leonard? My understanding is that he has one year of eligibility left coming to us from Duke. Does this mean that he is graduating early from Duke or that his credits will transfer from Duke, and after only a year as a student at Notre Dame, be graduated with a degree from Notre Dame? Or, does he plan on doing what Pyne and Buchner have done in coming back to ND by going back to Duke, and if this is the case, how could our administration justify taking him as a transfer only to see him get a degree elsewhere? I guess I'm trying to ascertain what our academic policy is regarding student-athlete transfers since I always thought that we don't take students who transfer to Notre Dame after completing their sophomore year elsewhere. Thank you for shedding any light on this policy. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Eric Hansen

1:08

Ron, thank you. And back at you, buddy.

Ron Dover De

1:08

Hi Eric no question today. Just wanted to wish you and family a Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Eric Hansen

1:08

Hi John. Student-athletes are able to have NIL representation, and yes those agents often work as third-party channels to do early legwork on a potential channel before a player enters it. Of course, there are already agents that go several steps over the line, and shop their players to schools for the highest bidder and are not concerned about fit or anything else.

Guest

1:05

John from Centralia,IL. Are student/athletes in the transfer portal able to hire agents to help with school selections. Can’t imagine that they would have the knowledge to make informed decisions.

Eric Hansen

1:05

OK, here's the Angeli quote:

“It's kind of a crazy world. But I chose Notre Dame for the place and I chose it for the people. So, that's kind of — in my heart of hearts — what I believe in. And that's kind of what keeps me grounded and staying in the moment.

“My biggest thing is just staying in the moment, and I'll worry about that when that comes.”

That being incoming Duke transfer quarterback Riley Leonard ascending to the top of the depth chart after a spring competition with Angeli. Or perhaps freshman Kenny Minchey or uber-early enrolled CJ Carr — wearing No. 17 in practice on Tuesday — leapfrogging him.

Or not.

“The staff has been upfront with me through everything that's gone on,” Angeli said, “and I knew it [Leonard’s transfer] was coming. And I’m ready to compete when that time comes. But right now I’m just focused on winning the Sun Bowl."

1:03

Hi Patrick. I asked Steve Angeli earlier this week about what he thought about the proliferation of transfers at his position, and included it in my story: Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli embracing the moment — and nothing more I suggest reading the whole story, but I'll break out the quote at the end of my answer. ... I do think there's pressure and enough precedent of players finding a happily ever after elsewhere. And if second and third transfers for underclassmen becomes permanent (there's a temporary rule in place allowing them), it will get even more insane. You don't hear so much about the transfers that don't work out, though there are plenty. If you read my recent story on how Notre Dame's past transfers fared this season, I think you'll be stunned at how many of those did not result in an improved career trajectory. (more)

Patrick, Fort Wayne, In

12:55

Good afternoon, Eric. Top of the 2022 HS ranking QBs, Dante Moore and Malachi Nelson, have changed teams after their freshman seasons. The ND fandom was heartbroken when Moore changed his mind and committment (I guess money can't buy happness.) Imagine if he attended ND and then transferred this winter. This chat site would crash from an overloaded queue. The wild west of player movement is upon us and no one is sure when it will end. Do you think QBs feel preasure to transfer if they don't have immediate success or a starting position? I wonder how much preasure Angeli will feel in the spring when he doesn't win the starting job. Friends, websites, social media wrapped in fan obession is a heavy burden for a youngman.

Eric Hansen

12:55

For me, I'm watching how: 1) The vypers do in terms of getting a good pass rush and who plays the best. 2) How Jaylen Sneed will handle an expanded role. 3) How does Steve Angeli command the offense, though I don't think he will be ND's No. 1 QB in 2024. 4) What Jeremiyah Love does with a more-featured role at running back. AND MOST OF ALL early impressions of the 2024 offensive line. My sense is we'll learn more about what they need to work on than what they've mastered.

12:52

Merry Christmas, Don. Comparing rosters, the defense looks like it could be even better than last year if Watts joins Mills, Cross and Kiser and comes back. The offense has a lot of question marks, but there's reason to be encouraged by the prospect of it being surprisingly good depending on who the new offensive coordinator is, increased speed and quality depth at wide receiver and the upside of QB Riley Leonard to name a few. The offensive line is going to have to be a pleasant surprise, given all the newness. ... What to watch in the bowl game ... not everything translates to 2024. But some of it can certainly hint at it ... (more)

Don in Scottsdale

12:48

Eric, Merry Christmas to you, your family and the Inside ND staff. Hope Santa is good to all. Every year we get excited with the recruiting class. Considering those who left, the new recruits as well as the transfers, on paper (I know we wont know until they line up and scrimmage) how does this rooster compare to 2023's. I read someone referring to bowl games like the Sun Bowl as serious spring games. Along those lines how should we watch this, what should we watch for. Does someone flashing in this game constitute something real or Junior Jabby? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

12:48

OK top five underrated recruits. That means they can't be a Rivals250-ranked recruit ...They had 11 of those, including four in the top 50. So I have 12 to choose from. I'll go with 1. WR Logan Saldate, 2. LB Bodie Kahoun, 3. CB Karson Hobbs, 4. DE Cole Mullins, 5. OT Styles Prescod ... some of these more for the long terms, not what they'll do in 2024.

12:41

I will get that question to Marcus at some point, likely after the bowl. And I'm sure we'll get a chance to ask Loren himself. Working with 17-to-22-year-olds (24 years old in Sam Hartman's case) is different from working with NFL minds and bodies (though Loren's background extends beyond the NFL). Matt Balis was such a huge part of the Brian Kelly post-2016 renaissance. And it wasn't just strength and conditioning, but how he set the culture and revolutionized it. So for now, we don't know, but we'll get to the bottom of it. (more)

12:38

Marie, Kevin from Sleepy Eye, Minn., had emailed me a similar question about Loren Landow and team culture, so I'm glad you asked it so we could address it in the chat. I think it's a legit concern. There are a lot of things to like about this hire for ND director of football performance. Marcus Freeman highlighted some of them during his press conference Wednesday, including his ability to director groups and yet tailor individual paths. I was queued up to ask that question in that press conference when time ran out. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:34

Hi Eric, I hope you’re enjoying this very busy holiday week. Can you give your thoughts on the new strength coach Lauren Landow? Are you at all concerned that he has no experience working with a college team. I know they talk about building culture in the NFL, but I always assume that’s a little bit of lip service. Obviously building culture in the college level is hugely important, do you have any concerns He may not be experienced enough to do this? Also, who are your five most underrated players in the class That signed yesterday? As always thanks for hosting the chat, have a very Merry Christmas.

Eric Hansen

12:34

Ok, to your question. I can understand why fans pump the brakes on National Signing Day with all the transfer portal movement. But building sustainable success is going to start with strong high school recruiting and development. The portal is important (and perhaps annoying), but it's not the primary way to build long term.

12:32

How about this?

12:31

Manny!!!!!!!!!! Happy Holidays to you!!!! You know it's funny, I get impressions of some of you that could be way off. For instance, Manny seems like a guy who everybody who comes in contact with him, smiles for the rest of the day. And for some reason I think Gene from New York and Len from the Jersey Shore should know each other and be friends ... ok back to reality ... thank you for the Christmas wish. I do have a new profile pic without sunglasses, but will work on one with it.

Connecting…

Message History

On Off

Your current subscriptions

None

E-mail Address	Chat Owner	Status	Remove

Enter your email address to be notified when Eric Hansen hosts a chat