JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 28, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 28, 2022

Eric Hansen

3:25

OK, the clock ran out on me. Have to move on to other assignments. Thanks for all the great questions, even Danny who tried to pull a naughty pun on me in his question that wasn't used. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET. Happy Holidays everybody.

3:24

Newt!! I think he makes the offense so much better, and he'd be so good for the young wideouts. Newt, as far as the Gator Bowl, only Tyler made the trip for us. Kyle and I will cover remotely. HOWEVER, the next time you are in South Bend, I promise to make it happen, especially if you're in on the Friday night before the game. Happy Holidays.

Newt in Midlothian, Va

3:21

I'm so happy that Sam Hartman finally entered the portal. If we can indeed land him, how much do you think he will effect the 2023 season? Also, what is your game day like? I plan on being in Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl and after almost 20 years, I think it's time I say hello personally. Lol. Thanks for all your work, Happy Holidays and as always....Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

3:21

Roger, great question. Can you hit me with that next week, because I'm almost out of time and I need some time to give you the answer you deserve?

Roger, Dallas

3:20

I was curious what you thought would be the biggest obstacles/challenges this offseason? What adjustments does freeman make?

Eric Hansen

3:20

Adam, I'm going to bring you to my press conferences. You pack an awful lot into a couple of questions. Merry Christmas and I spent it in Dayton of all places!! Hartman playing at 2022 levels raises the ceiling considerably. Had he been on ND's roster in 2022, they don't lose to Stanford or Marshall and maybe not USC (though Pyne played very well in that game). Yes they do need more to become a playoff team. Namely the defensive line needs to take a step up. The wide receivers have to grow up. They need depth and answers at safety, etc. 2. Quickly, Marcus in the conditions that existed in 2019 would have had ND's best class at least since 2008. And yes, between more consistently strong recruiting classes and strong portal recruiting and retention of top players, ND can acquire the talent to be an elite program. Keep in mind, ND made the playoff twice with class rankings from 2014 to 2020 of 11, 11, 13, 13, 11, 14 and 22.

Adam, Dayton, OH

3:13

Hi Eric, Hope you had a great Christmas! 1.) If the Irish do indeed land Sam Hartman, how much does he raise the ceiling of this team next year? Are the Irish playoff contenders or do they still need talent upgrades. 2.) The story of the 2023 recruiting class is that it helps close talent gaps, but it is also a "what could have been" class. Is Marcus Freeman the elite recruiter that we thought he was, or is he merely just a good recruiter? Did he learn lessons that can make future recruiting even better, or is Notre Dame the school that Kelly thought...one that you can't get quite enough talent to win games against the big boys?

Eric Hansen

3:12

Hi Mike. Best to your and yours as well. I think those scenarios need time to play out and may not be universal from team to team and campus to campus, but my expectation is that we will find that you're on point with some suspicions about the down sides of this dirty money people aren't considering yet.

Mike from Toronto

3:09

Eric all the best to you and yours in 2023. How much of a negative impact on a team can a player have who is jumping schools because of NIL money or loose portal restrictions. At least the way I look at it, players who come in as freshmen, work their tails off, then get pushed down the depth chart can't be happy with it. I'm guessing it could muddy team chemistry, but then again, maybe players will look the other way if it means winning. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

3:09

I think it's OK to be happy for both things. Had Buchner stayed healthy and become the quarterback they think he still can become, they probably would have not gone QB shopping in the portal. ND is not just getting a transfer in Hartman, they're getting a known quantity who has become elite over time.

Jeremy from Goshen, IN

3:07

is it better for ND fans to be happy if ND signs Hartman or is it better for the program to develop a QB that they recruited? It feels odd that we have to keep going the transfer route instead of developing the QB’s we have

Eric Hansen

3:07

Happy Holidays to you and your family. I don't think Grayson McCall is interested in ND. I think Hartman is the top option for ND and vice versa. I'm sure ND has some backup options if things don't work out, but I expect them to work out.

Rog in Saint Louis

3:05

Happy Holidays to you and your family! Do you know if ND has interest in Grayson McCall or are they counting on Sam Hartman to transfer to them?

Eric Hansen

3:05

Bill, I don't think he's waiting to see how Tyler Buchner plays in the Gator Bowl. That won't affect his decision or timeline.

Bill from St Joe, MI

3:04

Eric, do you think Sam Hartman will wait until Friday night/Saturday to commit to the Irish, to see how well Buckner plays in the Gator Bowl or like many QBs believes he will win out in the competition?

Eric Hansen

3:04

Happy Holidays, Len. I think I can answer your questions together. Let me give it a shot. Jack Kiser does not have the ideal rover skill set, but he's the starting rover, because he is the best option there. Might he be a better will (weakside) linebacker? Absolutely, but then who plays rover? Jaylen Sneed has the ideal skill set to play rover. And he's moving in that direction quickly at this point. Nolan Ziegler is moving down that same path. What probably will happen is Kiser, Marist Liufau and Prince Kollie all battle for playing time in the spring at the will. Incoming freshman Drayk Bowen is a natural will but could probably be JD Bertrand's understudy at middle linebacker next season. So the spring is very important for those three -- Kollie, Kiser and Liufau. And whoever finishes third may have a decision to make.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:57

Hello Eric, Hope your Christmas was a merry one. Best wishes for a Happy New Year! There were times during the season when Safeties wee hurt. Moreover Henderson and Watts are still learning the position. And Griffith has never risen to the level expected to be a starter at safety. Yet Jack Kiser could not stay on the field during passing downs. I saw Kiser in a similiar position to Harrison Smith and Dru Tranquill. Both changed position while at ND. And both arguably are having better pro careers (especially Smith) than college careers. What is holding Kiser back? Where is his situation different than Smith of Tranquill? On top of that Freeman/Golden seem to be high on the younger LB's. Third part of the same question. Considering the use of the secondary in nickel/dime and the young LB's doesn't Kiser have to enter the portal after the bowl game if he wants to play consistently?

Eric Hansen

2:57

I don't think Marcus Freeman has been neutralized, but that's not your questions, so let me get to those. ... Notre Dame is not limited in NIL money. It just doesn't provide acquisition fees cloaked as NIL money. Carr knew that when he committed and knows that now. As far as Buchner, I answered that a few questions ago. ... Remember with Marcus, he was able to put together than class with the most points (2,601) by an ND class in a decade, even with NIL dirty money working against him. And it's also about retaining your top developing players, which I think Marcus will prove to be way better than average at doing.

Irish Mike, Altoona, PA

2:53

Happy Holidays Eric! The early signing day, after so much hype, somewhat ended with a thud! The flipping of a few of our decorated signees put a damper on an overall good class! We went from the #3 class to 10 on signing day! After finally having a powerhouse recruiter in Marcus Freeman NIL has seemed to have neutralized his efforts. Two questions, how does ND go about getting Carr to actually sign next year with our limited NIL $ and with the rumors of Wake Forest QB coming on board does Buchner jump in to the portal?

Eric Hansen

2:53

No problem, Sean, although it might be the wrong time to reveal I'm a Cardinals fan. ... The concept of plugging a few more holes via transfers rather than five-stars isn't crazy. Now, that wouldn't make you portal-dependent, either. ND would still be building a team and a culture primarily through high school recruiting. Grad transfer are easy to get through admissions and in many cases are more attractive. There are fewer ripples from the developing underclassmen trying to climb the depth chart when it's someone who's one and done taking a spot than someone who has multiple years. Yet, I do think it's necessary for the athletic department and the academic side to continue to try to find middle group on the transfer credit issue for underclassmen, particularly those who are proven to be good students.

Sean, Schaumburg, Il

2:47

Eric, thanks for your understanding from my last missive. I was angry over the Brothers Contreras going to Cards/Brewers (I'm a Northsider). Losing Moore, Keeley and Bowen hurts. 3 top 20 players. Fiske drives home that NIL is playing a huge role in decision-making. Losing players like Limar/Paige doesn't hurt as much. ND has a solid pipeline of OL/RB to the NFL. QB/DE/DB are far more important in the modern game of football. Those are the holes in the roster. Prister/Thamel/O'Malley mentioned an opportunity to pivot to more of a portal approach to fill gaps in the roster due to turnover and eschew chasing the 5-star HS player in favor of a college player who has worked his way into a legit 4-star collegiate level player. Solid idea. The constraints of transfer remain. Huge hindrance. How can NDs roster management staff cajole/convince Admissions dept/Top admins to become open to undergrad transfers? Brandon Joseph struggling to get his credits admitted from NW is difficult to understand. It's Northwestern.

Eric Hansen

2:47

"A small, faith based university in the rust belt, with brutal winters, and strict academics and standards doesn’t mean what it did 20 years ago." You're right. It means more. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, Notre Dame's classed were ranked 24th, 12th and 22nd, respectively. In 2022, 2023 and so far 2024, they're 6th, 8th and so far 1st. With 2,601 points, ND's eighth-ranked class had more star power than the sixth-ranked class last year. The Irish have been ninth or better three classes in the a row. The only time since the 2008 cycle they've ranked ninth or better was in 2013 (third). The last time they even put two top 10 classes together back to back was Charlie Weis' 2007 and 2008 classes. ... As for the game, yes I expect to see a loaded box to start. Is South Carolina's run defense that bad missing two of their best d-linemen? We're going to find out together.

2:40

Hi Tom. I did have a blessed Christmas, and hope that was your experience as well. It's hard to extrapolate trends with NIL out to far, because I do think eventually there are going to be some natural corrections. In 2024, I think there will be a lot of 11th-hour switching. Rivals national director of recruiting Adam Gorney was on the Inside ND Sports Podcast recently with Tyler and me. He said what a good number of kids did was commit to a school with an NIL deal and/or guaranteed money, then continue to shop for a better deal, with a lot of those occurring at the 11th hour. I want to point out a couple of things lost in those late defections. (more)

Tom from Grand Rapids

2:35

Eric, I hope you had a blessed Christmas and are looking forward to a prosperous New Year! As ND fans are these 11th hour letdowns going to become more prevalent in the NIL age, or does ND have something to counter this phenomenon? A small, faith based university in the rust belt, with brutal winters, and strict academics and standards doesn’t mean what it did 20 years ago. Also, can the offense that ND is going to put on the field have receiver(s) step up? Plus one of the quarterbacks? If I was South Carolina’s D.C. I’d load the box, and make their passing game win the game….. or is the South Carolina run defense THAT terrible?
Go IRISH ☘️

Eric Hansen

2:35

John, if the Blue-Gold Game was the predictive tool you purport it to be, then there'd be a statue of Junior Jabbie out in front of the stadium. Junior who? Exactly. Steve Angeli played in the second half, because that was the plan all along. Drew Pyne had to quarterback both sides in the first half because of Tyler Buchner's ankle injury just days before the game. Steve did play well at the end of the BGG. Period. End of sentence. Could he be the starter someday? Yes, but he could also be no higher than third or fourth on the depth chart next season.

John Lipareli

2:31

If one remembers back to the last spring game, the coach put Steve in the game due to the poor performance of his select choice at QB. Well, nevertheless, with little time, Steve enginered two drives to win. Now, I ask, does he not get a chance to play in this game when he could be the answer that ND needs. I think that he could be the second coming of Montana.

Eric Hansen

2:30

Happy Holidays, John. Notre Dame would have liked to keep Jacob, no question. And Jacob would have liked to stay, but he didn't feel he was being treated fairly and honestly, and quite frankly, he's right. Al Washington followed a very successful and very popular D-line coach in Mike Elston. Tough act to follow, and yet to me Al Washington has something to prove both on the recruiting trail in the 2024 cycle and with player development in 2023. I'm not implying he can't do it or didn't deserve the job, but there's a high standard for that position group that I don't think was met this season.

John, Chagrin Falls, OH

hit send to quickly. My question: I noticed that ND is looking for an interior D lineman via the portal. Yet they let Jacob Lacey get away. How do you see the coaching staff managing current talent vs utilizing the portal.

2:27

Hope you had a great Christmas and wish you a very happy new year!

Eric Hansen

2:26

Matt, real NIL deals have real written contracts with real third parties. The dirty money doesn't necessarily have contracts.

Matt in Augusta NJ

2:24

Do players have a written contract for NIL deals? If they do is the deal between the school and the player or a third party? Just seems to be a lot of promises with money. I’d want it in writing

Eric Hansen

2:24

Hi Ben. Happy Holidays to you. They'll add another only if they can get a third Kaleb Smith... I kid, I kid. They only reason they'd take another is if there was an unexpected transfer out. And even then, that might not be a probability. They have 10 WRs going into 2023, with a nice blend of youth and experience.

Ben, Hinsdale IL

2:22

Hi Eric, Merry Christmas and happy new year to you sir. With the addition of Kaleb Smith (2?,Sr?,KSVT?) the transfer WR, does that conclude the staffs quest for WR portal additions? If not, any indications that the Irish could land another?

Eric Hansen

2:21

Walking through the recruiting journey with Sam, I remember several conversations we had with personnel and staff at several colleges regarding NIL. The one comment that stuck with me…”it’s the Wild West”. These words blazed to the front of my mind as I watched the landscape of “great American” pastime, it has become a gambling society. These are kids. These kids have no idea what they’re doing. We are given the opportunity to steward them well. Instead, adults are manipulating them. We can choose to do better. I am not sure what the answer is to this, but I do know our children are being treated as property, bought and sold, by a system that has lost its way on many college campuses. #choosebetter

2:18

Hi Drue. Absolutely, there are many, many, many individuals who were failed by the NCAA's inertia and who would love to help remedy this. I think there are parents of players who would love to be part of the solution as well. Let me share with you a tweet thread from April Pendleton, mother of Notre Dame incoming freshman offensive lineman Sam Pendleton, ... (more)

Drue from Springfield, Mo.

2:14

Hope you are looking forward to an exciting new year and ready to continue publishing your peerless insight into ND athletics to the internet for many more decades...exceptional work. My question has to do with NIL and your insight into its future. A former Power 5 walk-on who became a two-time All-American is a close friend. It pains us both to see the leaders of collegiate athletics stand by and do nothing as unfettered booster organizations...and likely simply wealthy individuals...endeavor to buy the services of teenage athletes for their alma mater. Do you have any knowledge of a desire by responsible leaders in collegiate athletics to curb the tide of abuses taking place and if so, what actions or recommendations do you see as likely, needed, or sensible? I would like to say I understand the extremes, or that I realize things are not as bad as some make them out to be, but I simply do not know. Your views on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

Eric Hansen

2:14

Kieran, thanks for the feedback and for your question. I am really against outright prediction any player will transfer. So let me share what I know and maybe tap dance around this a bit. I asked Tyler about his feeling about Notre Dame's efforts to bring in a portal QB and he looked me dead in the eye and said he understood why and didn't have a problem with it. He also implied he expected to be the starting QB when the Irish open the season in late August in Dublin, Ireland. So what if one of those things happen and one doesn't? Then he'd have a decision to make. Because he played in fewer than four games this year, he'll get a redshirt year back. So he'll have college eligibility in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Can he live with not being the starter until 2024? How important is an ND degree to him? Could he benefit from playing with/behind someone like Sam Hartman. If it were me, the answers would be yes, a lot and yes, so I'd stay. But, I'm not Tyler Buchner either.

Kieran

2:07

Kieran from South Jersey: Any prediction as to whether or not Tyler Buchner stays if Sam Hartman transfers in and becomes the starter? Great job with this site!

Eric Hansen

2:06

Happy New Year, Jeff, and I owe you an email. I promise to get to it soon. There were eight players from IMG ranked in the Rivals250 in the 2023 cycle and Notre Dame extended offers to four of them. Three -- DE Samuel M'Pemba, WR Carnell Tate and LB Jordan Hall all visited multiple times. Not every IMG standout is going to be a fit, academically or otherwise. Those that are first are going to have other attractive options. M'Pemba signed with Georgia and Tate with Ohio State -- two playoff teams. Hall signed with Michigan State, but ND had a very strong linebacker class without him. I don't think ND is avoiding IMG prospects. Nor do I think it's necessary to get someone from there each cycle. It is important to look who they have an work hard at getting them on campus for visits.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:55

Good morning Eric and happy new year in advance to you, Tyler and Kyle. Id like your comments on Notre Dame and recruiting with IMG Academy in Florida. It seems to be at least a small elephant in the recruiting room. Notre Dame didn’t sign any IMG recruits in this recent cycle, and none of the 10 players ND needs to sign in 2024 (as reported by Kyle Kelly) are from IMG. I’m not sure how many 2023 recruits from IMG were even pursued or offered. With a quick look, I see 8 recruits for 2024 that are in the Rivals 250. So, does that relationship need to be built by Marcus Freeman and staff or are they simply not recruiting down that aisle and giving way to the SEC and Florida schools. Thanks much.

Load More Messages

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