JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 21, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 21, 2025

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Eric Hansen

3:23

Ok, that's going to have to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll do a chat next week, but not on Wednesday or before. Likely Thursday. Keep an eye on our website and my social media as we sort through a very busy week next week and schedule the chat. Thanks again everyone.

3:22

HI Smitty, again sorry I don't have more time to go in depth on this. ND has two players with Keanaaina size on the roster in Sean Sevillano and Davion Dixon. I am not sure keeping him would have changed ND's lot in 2024. The lack of a 322-pound backup nose guard is not why ND fell 11 points short of a national title. Nor are overall numbers a problem for 2025. The question is: Is there enough quality among the 12 players on the roster for those two interior positions, 11 of whom will be on campus this spring?

Smitty, Tempe

3:16

Hey Eric - I appreciate the amazing job you do. I've got a specific question that goes to a broader question. It was my impression that Aidan Keanaaina was basically "ushered" out to the transfer portal where he landed at Cal. I remember seeing him play a lot when Cal played Miami this year. He had modest stats for the year at Cal - 17 solo tackles, 28 asst'd, 2.5 TFL, but he got plenty of PT and I believe has one more year of eligibility. Given that ND's interior Dline had injuries and attrition throughout the year, couldn't they have used an experienced player who is 6'3" 320 lbs? I've heard other media mention that the team, even after the dtackle transfer additions, could use a "Chris Smith plus" type transfer dtackle in the spring portal. Wouldn't it have made sense to just hold onto Keanaaina? My broader question is, I would think d-line would be the one position ND would hold on to backups with size and experience, not wanting to get caught short on numbers. Do you agree?

Eric Hansen

3:16

Hi Tim. I love this. Wish we weren't in overtime/lightning round, because some of these guys, Including Love, were track standouts. And Aamil Wagner is a state champ ... but in shot put, though he was on a big man's 4x100 team in high school. ... OK, off the top of my head, Love, Talich, Faison, Cam Williams, Jayden Harrison. I reserve the right to alter this when I have more time to think. I'll go with Love as my anchor. I know it's Wyoming, but Talich won four state track titles as a senior. ... I think Talich is the surprise. His numbers hold up even when compared elsewhere. I think Logan Saldate also has really good track speed.

Tim - STL

3:07

Hey Eric - Great answers per usual. Little light hearted question. If you were coaching a 4 X 100 meter relay team, who would be your top four fastest from the 2024 FB team? Who would be the anchor Love or Moore ? We don't get to see all the players (KK Smith, Cam Williams, M Gilbert, etc) as you do. How about Faison and Greathouse ? Who would be the biggest surprise in terms of speed we don't hear about? Have a Great Weekend

Eric Hansen

3:07

Hi Don. You know when people type LOL, but they don't actually laugh out loud, but kind of deep inside. I laughed out loud, and I am not complaining. It's taken me a long time to figure out the formula but balance in life is such a key priority for me. So working hard and having fun with the people I love trumps putting the patio furniture away (yep it's still out there) and taking the Christmas tree down (still up and no it's not real, so not a fire hazard.) Thanks for the reminder.

Don in Scottsdale

3:04

Eric, I love CFB and especially love ND football. The elongated season has me a bit burned out. I know you make your living writing and informing us about ND football; when do you get break? Keep up the good work but I hope you get time for some fun.

Eric Hansen

3:04

Mike/Mo. I'll give you a stellar answer after we sit down with him on Wednesday of next week. If you're at the spring game, make sure we get a chance to say hello before it.

Mike AKA Mo from Maumee OH

3:03

Greetings!! Is there any one thing that stands out with new DC Chris Ash's approach to defense strategy compared to Golden's? Looking forward to attending the Spring Game!

Eric Hansen

3:03

Jayden Thomas is one of those players who I really came to respect and appreciate for just those reasons you listed. Great eye on that one. He will be missed in s a lot of ways.

3:02

John, the other people on chat won't get this, but the space bar gets me too sometimes. Thanks for being persistent!!!!!!! As far as team celebration, I think there's been some of that spread around, but school had already started as ND was in the second week of spring-semester classes. And while Marcus Freeman seems to have an overflowing plate of responsibilities he and the family were able to make it to the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium earlier this month (my oldest son streamed it for his kids and they loved it too). I've gotten this leadership question before and I have not done a great job of answering it, because it's in progress. There sre some obvious ones (more juniors than seniors), like Drayk Bowen for instance. But spring is when you start to see your new leaders emerge. And so, if you'll let me cheat and see a few spring practices first, I'll be happy to revisit this. Nothing wrong with the question, it's the answerer who has issues. (more)

John Indianapolis

2:56

Hi, Eric!!!!! I don’t usually use exclamation points but the team’s season and your coverage of it deserve an abundance of them. Thank you! Two questions: With the quick transitions to junior weekend, recruiting and transfer portal activity immediately after the national championship game, did the team ever have the opportunity to celebrate its remarkable season together, or is that another casualty of how fast college football moves onto the future these days? This year’s team was blessed with captains who are exceptional leaders as well as gifted athletes. They will be missed and are tough acts to follow. Who do you see as players who will provide that kind of crucial leadership for next year’s team? Also, I share your thoughts about Jayden Thomas who always seemed to put team first and represented the team and the university well. He will be missed but I hope it works out for him. Thanks again for sharing your talents and insights with us.

Eric Hansen

2:56

Hi Roger. And if this is guess the hometown day, I'm about to be 1 for 2. I have no idea where chances are or what chances are, except for the title of an old song I like. Let me have a chance to interview these guys before I give them a number, please? Otherwise, it comes down to evening gow/talent/how would they foster world peace? On the surface, I've found reasons to be optimistic about all three, not the least of which is Marcus Freeman's track record with hires. ... I'm bullish on Luke Talich, as you are, but he's got a lot of competition. I see him at the very least as a rotational safety in 2025. As far as the ND women's Bb team, they've beaten three out of the other four top 5 teams already, but that doesn't mean they would do it twice. I think any of the top six teams has a legit chance to in the title. And I think UCLA, with its size, is the toughest matchup of those other five. ...and thank you.

Roger from chances

2:47

Eric: TGIF!! Take your pick "Friday", "Football" or "Fencing". Of course, picking the traditional one might apply to all three as all Irish Football and Fencing fans can attest. Would it not be great for the Irish Football team to have 13 National Championships like the Irish Fencers? Don't know if the Fencers get NIL, but probably it is nil NIL as Fencing revenue is nil compared to Football Revenue. To avoid this being a text nil of questions, let me inquire, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being really bad and 10 being exceptional, how do you rate each Irish new coaching and General Manager hire? I am a big Luke Talich fan. How do you rate his chances of replacing Watts next to Shuler? Now for a change of pace, are the Lady Irish a legitimate candidate to win the National Championship and, if so, who are the biggest obstacles to that happening? Thanks for your cogent insights and GO IRISH!!!

Eric Hansen

2:47

Matt, I'll answer this quickly (and hopefully not incompletely) I don't think it's a lack of support for the men. The WBB program has more tradition, worked hard when there wasn't as much interest in their games, interact with the community more and have captured the hearts of fans. I feel fortunate that's the team I get to cover when football is over. Having a blast getting to tell their stories.

Matt from Austin

2:43

Eric, I'm sorry for the second question, but I am curious about your thoughts. I watch the men's and women's basketball games. The men seem to have little energy, small attendance, no fanfare, and very few significant courtside attendees. The women, on the other hand, have great crowds, football coaches and players watching, huge energy, and the spirit that accompanies a champion. Yes, I know they're ranked #1. Is there a sense around the two programs that the University administration and the AD give much stronger support to the women's team while Coach Shrew and the men kind of wallow on their own without the same support or backing? Again, sorry for being long winded, but I would appreciate your insights. Thank you again Eric. Matt

Eric Hansen

2:43

Matt, you lively minx. If only it were that simple. I'll play the game, but caution you, it's not that simple. QB Carr. All-American (there would be more than one), but for one of them to be an interior defensive lineman or one of the returning edge players (Traore or Botelho) would be a huge plus. For the record,. I think Leonard Moore will be a 2025 All-American at corner, and there are some other good candidates.

Matt from Austin

2:41

Hi Eric, I hope your week is going well and you're not frozen!! Complete the following: Notre Dame can win the National Championship this year if who is at quarterback and who is an All American on defense? Thanks Eric. Matt

Eric Hansen

2:41

OK, this is definitely Stancakes my man from Virginia, who I saw on Facebook got a nice shiner from a fall. Hope you're fully recovered.

Stan from the Center of the Universe

2:40

Forgot to let you know that we are celebrating the seventh month of wedded bliss this very day! WooHoo!

Eric Hansen

2:40

As far as potential transfers incoming and outgoing, ask me after April 7 when we might have more clarity about roster sizes/scholarship limits at that juncture. Might. Thanks.

2:39

It took me a while to figure out where the center of the universe is, because both of my kids think it's them and they don't live in the same state (or yours). But I'm guessing this is the nice man from Virginia who has offered to make me pancakes? ... In any event !!!! It's hard to tell until we see some evidence on the field or even get to interview the new coaches (that's coming next week) to give you a great read. I'll give you an example. I was traveling back from the Pinstripe Bowl at the end of the 2013 season and talked to three people who had covered ND's new DC hire at the time and they raved about him and it was ... Brian VanGorder. So, what I will say is I love Ja'Juan Seider's résumé and am eager to hear his vision for the position and the offense. With Chris Ash as DC, Like that he's been a head coach, has been a successful college DC and has some NFL experience as well. What I want clarity about is his time as Rutgers' head coach, what went wrong and what he learned from that. (more)

Stan from the Center of the Universe

2:32

Good Afternoon ERIC(multiple exclamation points). Now that the dust has settled, maybe, at least for a while, how did the Irish new hires in coaching and managing compare to what they lost? AND how many potential transfers by position do you anticipate after Spring Practice and the BG game? Thanks a bunch for keeping the Info coming. We need it.

Eric Hansen

2:32

Yes, ND's playoff run very much impressed him, but ultimately it's not what he's going to base his decision. So it that still tangible? I would say yes. ... Eliminating the conference title games is up to those conferences. Some saw it as a negative this year. It's interesting that the two teams that played for the national title did NOT play in a conference championship game. The other two Final Four members did and lost in their respective games. No, the season does not need to start a week earlier to accommodate a 14- or 16-team playoff. It's still the same number of rounds, just fewer (or no) byes.

2:28

HI Sean and thank you. I think tangible is the word that is hardest to define here. In generalities, it absolutely makes in impact as far as opening doors and adding to what ND already brings to the table. Could those same doors have been open without the run? Probably in most cases, but likely with more effort and possibly not sustainably. Tyler James is way more in the weeds with this stuff, but I can give you an anecdotal example of someone who I interviewed, 2026 four-star WR Brayden Robinson from Texas after a visit. (more)

Sean, Schaumburg, IL

2:21

Hello, Eric. Have you seen firsthand or heard firsthand of any tangible benefits from recruits and potential new coaches/recruit support staff from making the National Title game? It's no longer early in the 2026 recruiting process. I know you said it might have more of an influence/impact for 2027 and beyond. I was hoping for a wee boost to 2026 class. The Big Ten/SEC are flexing their influence in the CFP. 14-team CFP? 4 teams mandatory from Big Ten/SEC? Shouldn't the Conference Title games be eliminated if that happens? The season needs to start a week earlier to accommodate a 14/16-team playoff. What say you? Thank you. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

2:21

Hi Robert, thank YOU. ... And this is across all sports, not necessarily aimed at football, but having a uniform and transparent policy or reporting injuries. Now can you help me put that into motion?

Robert, Dunedin,FL

2:19

Eric- From a reporter's perspective, what is one policy you would like to see changed/modified/enacted (if anything) that would assist you in covering ND sports? Thanks as always for your excellent work!

Eric Hansen

2:19

Hi Bob. I think you're on to something there, but I'm not sure what that looks like ... fewer injuries? I think Loren's NFL background actually was an asset in managing ND's elongated playoff run and the compressed recovery time ahead of spring practice. But yes, I think being in the college game for a year and leaning so into sports science and charting results is going to positively impact 2025.

Bob (Oxnard, CA)

2:16

Hi Eric,Progress on the field appears to spike up when assistant coaches reach year two (e.g. Golden, Mickens). Do you think we will see a similar spike in strength and conditioning as Loren Landau moves into his second year? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:16

Hi Jack. I had to refresh my memory on the 2001 team and now I feel more confident in my answer. It's funny to say this team is "deep" because of injuries to Kylee Watson and Emma Risch and the fact KK Bransford is redshirting, but yes it is deeper, even with essentially a rotation of eight. One thing that really stands out is the versatility on both offense and defense, especially the latter. Cass Prosper and Liatu King can guard 1 trough 4 and some 5s. You can harass a guard with Sonia Citron's size and then rotation Hannah Hidalgo's quickness on that same player. Now can they win it all? I think this team is still ascending, which is a great trend line in late February. Still work to do.

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

2:07

Hi Eric. Thank you for allowing me a WBB question. Is this team the best balanced and has more depth than either of the two national championship teams? I know there is no Ruth Riley on this team but position for position I can't see any team better in the country.

Eric Hansen

2:07

Hi Bobby thanks for the question and revealing your connection. Notre Dame has a winter roster out, but the newcomers have not been assigned uniform numbers yet. So I am guessing at this point just like you. There are three freshman O-lineman in spring ball ... Owen Strebig, Matty Augustine and Cam Herron. And then tackle Will Black arrives in June. So, one of them could end up with 72 ... or not. We'll know soon on the numbers of the first three.

Bobby Kull Sioux City, Ia

2:04

thanks for taking my question, with the offensive line having some vacancies this spring- who do you think will fill and represent the #72 of Sam Pendleton who is now at Tennessee? I’m hoping it will be one of the likes of the great Aaron Taylor or maybe even Ray Lemek who both went on to star in the NFL. PS I’m leaning to the likes of the latter- as he was my Uncle from Sioux City, Ia

Eric Hansen

2:04

Hi Frank. Yes, Kenyatta Watson decided to stay at Auburn instead of coming to Notre Dame. The Irish will fill that director of player personnel role. Great to hear from you. I think that's the first time you've submitted a question. Thanks for doing so.

Frank Lucero

2:02

Hi, I live in Owens crossroads Alabama. My question is will coach Mark Freeman be looking for another coach for recruiting since we missed out the one in Auburn I’ve been a fan of Notre Dame since the late 70s I was six years old go Irish.

Eric Hansen

2:00

Hi, Ryan. I think Jordan Clark was an essential part in Notre Dame making the College Football Playoff and winning games at that level. Great season, great addition. And yes, I was surprised he was not invited to the NFL Combine.

Ryan Frankfort illinois

1:59

what do you think about the season Jordan Clark had i think he had a Good Season and should have Been Invited to the NFL combine GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

1:58

As you know by now, I'm wired funny, so I see them more holistically, because that's how it would play out in a game rather than a skills challenge. But let me give this a try anyway. ...Highest floor? Carr. Highest Ceiling? Carr. Strongest arm? Not sure. I haven't seen enough of Hebert. I think they're pretty comparable, all four. I'd say Carr or Minchey. Again, don't look through that lens in eval. Most accurate? Carr or Angeli. Best processor? Angeli, with Carr freaky for how young he is. I think ND is 11 points away from winning a national title or maybe a third-down stop and a semi-miracle on offense and overtime. The momentum is pushing them in that direction, not away. WRs and DTs. Keep an eye on those two position groups. How many analysts? I think they've got a workable number now. There is such thing as point of diminishing returns. I'd load up on "front office" staff.

1:53

Hi Marie. Got your email and will be in touch soon. Yes, I am having a great week. I get to see all six grandkids tomorrow, including one of them playing in a basketball game. ... I don't know that people are sleeping on Kenny Minchey as much as they're playing the odds. Of the three quarterbacks who return from the 2024 roster, he's the one with the smallest margin for error and probably the narrowest path to getting to No. 1, in part because he's probably the least developed ... but intriguing skill set nd potential and super smart and mature. A lot to like. Your question about individual traits is a good one and probably how most people process QB evals, (more)

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