JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Feb. 19, 2026

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Feb. 19, 2026

Eric Hansen

2:54

OK that's going to do it for this week. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back next THURSDAY at noon ET for the next chat to do it all over again.

2:53

Minimally, they'd either have to sweep these four games and get to the ACC Tourney title game or go 3-1 and win the ACC Tourney. The premise would be that this is a different and better team significantly with a healthy KK Bransford. Given the ups and down, I would not make hotel reservations in South Bend for the first week of the NCAA Tournament.

2:51

Hi Jack, and thank you for your email that you sent last week. Let's look at the numbers. Notre Dame is 16-9 overall and 8-6 in the ACC. That's ninth place. They have four games left, two would be gimmes (but you never know) and then two against teams near the top of the standings (Syracuse and Louisville). The Irish are currently projected as a 7 seed, so that's a lot of ground to cover to get to 4 and be a host. (more)

Jack, Strongsville, Oh

2:45

Hi Eric. A WBB question. If Notre Dame takes care of business this week against SMU and Wake, do you think they could host a first and second round game at South Bend in the NCAA tournament with a semi or finals appearance in the ACC tournament? Thanks as always for your great work.

Eric Hansen

2:45

Hey Marty. Tights ends ands running backs are very light on career starts. But there's numbers and talent and a coaching staff that strong on development. And that's a combination to counter the lack of experience. If Marcus Freeman had thought it was a deeper problem, the Irish could have solved that with a transfer addition.

Marty from San Antonio

2:40

Hello Eric. What position group has the least amount of experience on this year’s squad? Is that something can be overcome over the season?

Eric Hansen

2:40

So great idea on your part but one I think you'll be less likely to see this season. And if we do, I'll be happy to answer your question again.

2:39

By putting a second back on the field and taking away a wide receiver, you are making it easier to bring a safety into the box to congest things and defend the run. Remember the reason why non-service academy teams evolved away from two backs was to spread out the defense. If you take a tight end off the field, you are theoretically taking away a better blocker. And on short-yardage, wouldn't you rather have the superior blocker. In the pistol formation, you can play one back and still have the deception of two backs, because you don't know which way that back is going to go and it's hard for the linebacker to pick up that initial movement. (more)

2:35

Rusty, you lively minx. If I had a dollar for every time I got this question asked last season, I would not still be begging Keuring for an NIL deal. And I must have answered it every time you weren't looking. Not sure if I can vary the answer. BUT .. and there is a but. you were so classy in the way your presented yourself and you are from my homestate, so let's give it another try. And you do make a very good point, and it is something I thought we'd see a little more of in 2025, though not necessarily restricted to red zone stuff. Remember when you make that choice, what are you willing to give up? (more)

RustyIrish from Cincinnati OH

2:31

mind this would have presented a huge challenge to defend against rather than telegraphing which one of the single backs in the backfield would get the ball. I just feels like we wasted a great opportunity and, more or less, leaned into predictability. Thanks for hosting the chats, always a good time and insightful.

Guest

2:31

I asked this question a couple of times in season with no answer so I am hoping to get your thoughts now. Considering our 2025 redzone struggles I could never understand why we saw no two back sets in those situations. Literally having the two best running backs in college football should have been a huge advantage, especially considering both were also good blockers. In my simple

Eric Hansen

2:31

To your second question, we'd love to have Bob Morton back on ... and it sounds like you would too. He had to step away this season, but he and I are both hopeful he can get back into working with us perhaps as soon as this spring or thereafter. Nothing definite, but that is the direction we're all hopeful this goes.

2:29

Hi Jules. Thanks for hyping me up. How the NFL makes that determination is uniform. So, it's the last school that player suited up for or trained with. Riley Leonard, thus, becomes a Notre Dame draft pick, even though he played most of his career at Duke. Steve Angeli would be a Syracuse draft pick, even though he started out at ND. (more)

Jules, Joliet, Il

2:24

Sir: Great job in doing these chats. Thx for your efforts. Two questions, if I may: 1. ND has put the most players in the NFL. What determines an “ND Player” for this statistic? Is it someone that plays any time ND? Or, plays there last year there? Or, plays their entire career at ND? 2. Can you share why you no longer have Bob Morton as a guest? Is he a casualty of the merger, perhaps?

Eric Hansen

2:24

Hi Ed. I will pass the compliment along to Jack and will definitely consider your idea.

Ed from Sayville

Hi Eric. I hit the wrong key and sent an incomplete note regarding the story Jack Soble brought to us regarding Notre Dame Heptathlon champion and Olympic bobsled athlete Jaiden O’Brien and medically retired Notre Dame tight end Kevin Bauman. Perhaps this note should replace the original. My question is more like a request. Any chance you could try to get Jaiden and Kevin on the podcast? I see the two as risk taking athletes who recognize the trials and tribulations of high stakes competition. Compliments to Jack for his work!

2:22

Hello Eric. I read the story on Jaiden O’Brien (ND track & field heptathlon champion) who is competing in the bobsled at the Olympics, and her relationship with Kevin Bauman. (Hats off to Jack Soble for bringing it our way). The ability to support one another is unique in thewould mmIs there a chance you could try to get the two of them on an upcoming podcast?

Eric Hansen

2:22

Hi Berk. There are 14 wide receivers on the roster in 2026. Jordan Faison is the only one with expiring eligibility after 2026. And ND is recruiting receivers in the 2027 class. So you can do the math. They are likely to lose those who are less productive. This is a position group that is being upgraded. So for some it will come down to a taffy pull as to whether a Notre Dame degree is more important than immediate playing time. But keep in mind, with the 85-scholarship limit no longer in affect, a lot of teams are going to have large wide receiver contingents, like the Irish have, so immediate playing time elsewhere might necessitate a step down to Group of 6 or FCS to make it happen.

Berk

2:10

Berk coming to you from Memphis, Eric, I have a bit of a foreshadowing question about the WR room. Man there is ALOT of talent in there and only so many spots on the field for them and only one ball to go around. I do know that you don't bring 2 guys in from the portal if they aren't better than what you have currently....... (I have my opinion) who do you think is in a "tough" situation when it comes to playing time and probably will be looking to leave after '26?

Eric Hansen

2:06

Hi Mitch. I think when the QB rankings went from separate dual-threat and pro-style rankings, maybe that watered down how good let's say QB No. 20 is in a given class and how competitive it is to land someone of that caliber. ND tried to land Dante Moore in the class before Carr, and it was close. Grubbs was the QB they liked best in the 2026 class and Jarrard in the 2027 class. Jarrard reclassifying into the 2026 class hurt his ranking. ND is looking at top QBs in the 2027 and 2028 classes. I think you might be selling those prospects short.

Mitch

2:02

Why does it seem like ND hasn't recently landed or pursued any elite QB prospects outside of CJ Carr (On3 and 24/7 both ranked #6 QB)? He is a HUGE reason ND has such upside for the 2026 season. From the outside, it doesn't feel like ND is trying to get the elite top tier guys at the most vital position on the field. (Outside of the infamous Deuce Knight episode) Thanks!

Eric Hansen

2:01

But again these are new dynamics. Agents are involved more and more. At some point there may be collective bargaining and multi-year contracts. But for now culture wins, and Marcus Freeman's is showing up.

2:00

I don't know why bringing in underclass transfers would upset the team chemistry. They are players who can help you in. I am doing a deep analysis of ND's all-time transfer history for Saturday, but if you look at the all-time transfers and stack them by their recruiting pedigree Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 10 are all in this transfer class. Quincy Porter (No. 2 on that list) is the highest-rated WR to wear an ND uniform in the internet era (2004-present), three spots higher than Michael Floyd. Now he had to go out there and be productive, but that's going to help your team win. (more)

1:57

Thanks Smitty. Why it is more difficult to predict team dynamics is all this is still relatively new and they're evolving rapidly and in all kinds of ways. It's not just the new portal dynamics and the economics, it's now up to 105 scholarship players during the old 85 limit. But to your point, so far Notre Dame's strong retention rate among players it prioritizes is something that's largely gone unnoticed an appreciated even within the ND world. So props to you for noticing. (more)

Smitty, Tempe

1:48

Eric, I appreciate, as always, all that you do for us Irish fans. My understanding is that in this new age of college football (transfer portal, NIL) that ND has been able to retain their own players, at least those that they want to retain, at a better rate than most other schools. It sounds like culture and player development are big reasons for this. Do you agree with those assumptions?

ND brought in more undergrad transfers in the last portal cycle as opposed to the historically typical one year grad transfers. Do you think bringing in more undergrad transfers could potentially upset the culture and impact how well ND retains their own players?

There are certainly advantages to being able to recruit undergrad transfers, but I've considered ND's ability to retain their own players to be a more unique advantage in this new era of college football.

Eric Hansen

1:48

Huge priority. Huge is doing a better job of exposing flaws and fixing them in August rather than having them exposed in September and paying a price for that.

1:47

You'll have a much better feel for who the No. 1 kicker and punter is in the fall, just because you've had a whole summer of work behind them and you'll be outside more. Figure out return men and special teamers is on the list. Now that Teddy Jarrard will be part of the competition, you'll get a great read on who the No. 2 QB is. In theory, you'll have all the pieces back for the O-line or well-defined recovery timelines and that will come together. Key pieces like RB Kedren Young and freshman TE Ian Premer will figure out where they fit as well June-arriving CB transfer DJ McKinney. (more)

1:44

Don. I appreciate that, and they certainly were. And great friends were very supportive as well. ... And thanks for the compliments about the site and the content. As I like to say, spring practice is more about impressions than conclusions. But I think one of the things we'll learn this spring is how much different/better CJ Carr 2.0 is than the 2025 version and all the different directions/gears the offense can move in. And I assume you asked the fall question based on my spring priorities piece earlier this week: Six spring priorities that will shape Notre Dame football’s title push So let's take a look at some of those ... (more)

Don in Scottsdale

1:36

Eric, I hope the time with family was comforting for all and hope you are doing well. What is one thing we can learn in spring practice? What are the questions that need to be answered in the fall? The amount and quality of content on the site is great. The team seems to be on top of everything.

Eric Hansen

1:35

After watching Keon Keeley's video and reading his interview transcript provided by one of the other writers, I was absolutely blown away by his great attitude and the work he's already put in. Blown away.

1:34

As far as wide receivers, Mylan Graham projects as field receiver as his best position, but he could really play any of the three. Cam goes into spring slotted in the boundary and competing with Quincy Porter and Micah Gilbert. But if he takes off this spring, and that is expected, he could also move around to other positions. ... At the Wednesday interviews, they brought in the seven transfers who are on campus and Charlie Partridge and didn't stagger them. So I glommed onto Quincy Porter and Patridge, but there were some great interviews. (more)

1:31

Hi Marie. Can't complain when you can wear shorts and a short-sleeve shirt outside in the middle of February, even if it's just for one day. ... I like the hiring of Shaun Shivers and an analyst and assistant wide receivers coach. ND is getting a young, ambitious, rising coach with really good recruiting chops and ties to the state of Florida, where he was a star running back in high school. There is not an apparent previous Notre Dame tie. he replaces Dom Spalding, who's now at Michigan State.(more)

Marie from atlanta

1:18

hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great weekend and thanks for hosting the chat. Can you give your thoughts on the hiring of Shawn Shivers? Is he being hired to fill a spot from someone who left? Does he have any connections to ND? Any special skill or knowledge that he’s known for that might have enticed ND to hire him? Do you see Milan Graham more likely to play in the field or the boundary? Also, do you think there’s any chance that Cam Williams would play the boundary? I know you guys got to interview some players yesterday, what were one or two of the biggest highlights for you? Thanks for hosting the chat and all the great information.

Eric Hansen

1:18

Hi Ryan. Thanks for asking. Your question helped others see that the chat moved to Thursday, so again thank you. I speculated a little bit about this last week. I think in the spring you'll see Jordan Faison and a whole bunch of challengers, including Dallas Golden, for punt returns. Aneyas Williams too. On kickoff returns, I think Williams will be the pole-sitter, but lots of options there too. This won't likely be finalized at either place until fall camp. So lots of time to sort that out.

Ryan Frankfort Illinois

1:15

Good afternoon Eric who will be returning kickoffs and punts during the season I’m thinking Kedren Young and someone else for kickoffs and Jordan Fasion for Punts GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈 thanks for getting back to me on X i was the person who asked when your chat was going to be

Eric Hansen

1:15

I don't want to give away all of tomorrow's column here, but Partridge reminds me of what Harry Hiestand brought to the table as an offensive line coach ... not only a master class on technique, but a guy with vast schematic knowledge who's a huge asset to the coordinator. The three D-line transfers (Keon Keeley, Tionne Gray and Francis Brewu) all raved about him and how much his presence factored into them picking ND in the transfer process. Tom Lemming, longtime recruiting analyst, believes Partridge will be a dynamic recruiter. And we're already seeing signs of it in the 2027 class.

1:12

Hi Mark. Thanks for the well wishes. I have a column coming on Charlie Partridge that will run on Friday morning at blueandgold.com. So you will want to check that out. But I think Charlie Partridge is going to prove to be s SIGNIFICANT addition to the coaching staff for Marcus Freeman. This is not a knock on Al Washington. Al was happy with the move to linebackers to help present himself as a stronger candidate for defensive coordinator jobs and then he ends up going to the NFL as a linebackers coach (he had coached that position earlier in his career). (more)

Guest

1:08

Mark from T-Ville, NJ Hi Eric hope all is well with you,the family and the Irish. It appears Charlie Partridge has been coaching D lines for sometime and has coached along side DC Ash for several years. That being the case do you feel Al Washignton was moved to LB coach to make room for Partridge? Would you consider Charlie being an upgrade at this postion group? I felt Washington recuiting was average until this past class, do you know anything about Partridge as a recuiter? Again thanks for the info and the chats nothing better!!

Eric Hansen

1:07

Bill, sorry, things got put on hold a little bit as I had some family business to attend to. I am back and fully engaged and playing catch-up now.

Bill from milford ct

1:06

Hope you’re still doing review of mens & women’s basketball. Have I missed them? Been looking for podcasts or another jot . Com ?

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