JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 14, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 14, 2024

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Frank from Royse City, Texas

12:53

Eric, i really enjoy your work. I see the OT position needing some help along with adding depth to the DL, which should ND do to improve these issues?

Eric Hansen

12:52

As far as Marcus Freeman's aspirations, I have never heard him say one word about the NFL. That doesn't mean it couldn't change over time, especially after his kids grow up. And perhaps if college football evolves into something that is unrecognizable to all of us. But for now, this is his passion. And he's willing to rise to the challenges the changes are causing, and he's good at it. And thanks for the very nice compliment.

12:50

Hi Mark, Riley Leonard is in another class when it comes to running the football. Kenny Minchey would be next and CJ Carr and Steve Angeli I'd say both are better than Sam Hartman in that regard or at the very least more willing runners. Carr may have the highest ceiling as a passer. But Leonard may have the highest ceiling of both skills put together. And that's what this season will reveal ... whether or not that is reality. ... I think the biggest challenge in covering the 2023 team was trying to be fair to Gerad Parker but also be fair to the fans in pointing out why a team with so much going for it did not make the playoff. (more)

Mark, Orange co Ca

12:42

Hi Eric, of the qbs that will be on the roster for the spring game. Which one has the highest potential to be considered a dual threat qb? What was your biggest challenge in covering the 2023 season? Finally, do you think MF has aspirations to be an NFL coach or is he someone who would rather develop college players? As always thanks for hosting these chats. We fans are most appreciative of all that you and your team do to give us the best coverage of ND sports

Eric Hansen

12:41

I miss Lou Somogyi too. And not just for his incredible recall of Notre Dame dates, people and numbers. His organization tried to hire me years ago and I really got to know Lou well during that process, and that was the hardest part about not taking that opportunity, the chance to work with him. Just a class act with so much integrity and kindness. The funniest Lou story, is I was marveling in the press box during one game that Lou remembered events that happened before he was born. I just said in jest, something to the effect that when ND played that day's opponent in 1953, it was raining and that Lou would know that. Lou piped up and said, "actually, it snowed that day." And he was right!

12:38

Hi Sean. It's really no different than the 6+6 model in that the top four seeds HAVE TO BE conference champs. It actually opens up one more at-large slot, so that is actually good for Notre Dame. Remember, the part about ND not being able to get a bye was part of outgoing ND athletic director Jack Swarbrick's design. He is the architect of the 12-team playoff. And he said he did it in the greater interest of college football. But let's look at this pragmatically. Let's say ND finishes the regular season as the No. 1 team. They'd be the 5 seed playing the 12 at home, which they should be able to handle. No ideal, but not the end of the world, either. And again, they have the advantage of not having to play in a conference championship game and having an extra week for that first game. (more)

Sean, Schaumburg IL

12:30

Mr. Hansen, I'm disappointed by the 5+7 model. Seems punitive to ND if they finish 12-0(defeating a ranked USC/FSU/Clemson et al type season while Big Ten/12/ACC/SEC lose a game or two and still win their conf). Again, punishing ND for not being in a conference. What's your thoughts? Also, I miss Lou Somogyi. Any stories you'd like to share about him and his knowledge of everything ND? Thank you.

Eric Hansen

12:29

Hi Joe and thanks for keeping the chats going. I was going to take a break from them in February, but people like you kept showing up with great questions, so let's keep it rolling. ... We'll get a good snapshot where both of them stand when we speak with Marcus Freeman after watching a full practice on March 7. Bauman, theoretically, should be further along in his ACL rehab, since his happened two months+ earlier, but he has a long injury history. I think it would be safe to count on one of them, which would still give you plenty of depth. ... The big question at tackle is if you lose Tosh Baker to the portal if he doesn't win a starting job. Or someone like Ty Chan. I am not predicting either. But you would need to look at the portal in that scenario in the spring shopping window ... OR if the projected starters didn't progress as much as Joe Rudolph would have liked during spring, or because of an injury. So yes, it's possible, but there is not an urgency at this point.

Guest

12:24

Joe H from Williams Bay Wi Hi Eric Thanks for keeping the chats going as we get closer to Spring ball Two questions from me today First about the tight ends What do you think of the likelihood of Mitchell Evans and Kevin Beauman being significant contributors next season and secondly do you think we are deep enough at offensive tackle and is there any chance of a portal addition

Eric Hansen

12:24

As to Clarence Lewis and players moving back and forth between the two position groups, the Irish have done so much of that even before this, though out of necessity. The way the roster is constructed right now, unless there was attrition or a run of injuries at one position of the other (CBs and safeties), I wouldn't see that as something that made sense on this team. Clarence Lewis would seem to be more valuable in the cornerback depth than as a safety on this team, to me.

12:22

To your questions regarding Mike Mickens taking over the entire defensive backfield. He kind of already was overseeing both when Chris O'Leary was here, but not in a nuts-and-bolts type role. If Marcus Freeman thinks Mickens is ready to be a coordinator, I think coaching safeties is well within his wheelhouse. Years ago in college football, it wasn't uncommon to see one coach do both, but the passing game on offense has evolved and so have coverages and personnel groups involving DBs. Al Golden can be a roving teacher and help out, but Mickens will need a top-flight grad assistant to run drills and to actually teach, not just babysit. I think that's very workable. (more)

12:19

Jack Kiser would start at rover, then slide inside on passing downs. In 2025, Sneed would then be a starting linebacker and an every-down linebacker as part of his evolution. Now he may stay on the field on third down in certain packages as a pass rusher, but not a linebacker. This is a critical spring in terms of his evolution, and he knows it and embraces it. He is a confident, coachable young guy. I'm an absolute believer in Jaylen Sneed and his future, but I am not his coach. So, that will only get him so far. There is so much competition and talent among the young linebackers, it's going to be fun to see it evolve. (more)

12:15

Hi Marie. Any week in South Bend that doesn't include a day with temps with a minus sign in front of it is a blessing. We'll get into the 40s today. And spring football is only three weeks and one day from starting ... I'm going to start with your Jaylen Sneed question first. EVERY time last season I asked defensive coordinator Al Golden about Jaylen Sneed, I got a very optimistic response. He is undoubtedly one of the best athletes on the team. But remember, he played quarterback on offense and all over the place on defense out of necessity for his high school team. So, learning to be a "traditional" linebacker was a steep learning curve. I think if everything goes right, he would be the starting Will (weakside) linebacker this year, but he'd be the linebacker who comes off the field when the Irish are in nickel coverage, with five DBs (or more in their dime package). (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:09

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. With O’Leary leaving, and most people predicting that Mickens will take over the entire backfield, are you at all concerned that Mickens does not have experience coaching safeties? If Mickens does become the coach of the entire backfield, do you think we might see some shifting of players between safety and cornerback? For example, do you think Clarence Lewis might switch to safety? On an entirely different note, we all know Jaylen Sneed is extremely talented, what do you think the staff’s ultimate plan is for him, and if you were the head coach, what would your ultimate plan be for him? as always thanks for hosting the chat during the very long off-season, and thanks for the great insights.

Eric Hansen

OK, let's get started.

12:06

Speaking of significant others, if you ask me any love-related questions beyond your love of college football, do so at your own peril. It is highly NOT recommended.

Because it's Valentine's Day, the No Bare Feet rule has been relaxed, but only if your significant other approves.

Here are the rules.

12:05

PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question(s). My telepathic powers are broken.

As far as this week's chat ...

12:04

► Finally, we’re in the midst of a busy football offseason at WSBT radio season, and Darin Pritchett and I are together this week Wednesday and Thursday on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. You can download episodes as podcasts.

12:03

► After a week hiatus, Tyler James and I will be back with a new podcast on Thursday. On our most recent Inside ND Sports Podcast, legendary recruiting analyst Tom Lemming joined Tyler James and me. Lemming discussed Notre Dame retaining director of recruiting Chad Bowden, why Bowden is so valuable to the Irish, the toughest and easiest positions to evaluate, if quarterback recruits are worried about ND's transfer portal reliance, the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class, what he likes about ND's 2025 class, how offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and wide receivers coach Mike Brown are received on the recruiting trail, what the Irish need at wide receiver and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.

► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, it keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation. We’re back in a Monday at 7 ET time, but will shift to Tuesday night at 7 next week to avoid the Monday night women’s basketball game between ND and Duke. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube.

Some quick programming notes:

12:02

Welcome to the Valentine's Day Edition of Notre Dame Football Live Chat from sunny South Bend, Ind.

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