JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 5, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 5, 2025

Eric Hansen

3:17

OK that's going to do it for this week. Thanks for all the great questions. I'm leaning toward doing this again next week, next Wednesday in fact, but need to see if we start getting some pre-spring availability with coaches and players. So I'll let you know on our message board and social media. Thanks again.

3:16

And yes, it's fun to be back on the WBB beat again. I think we're going to have Maddy Westbeld on a podcast next week at some point.

3:14

Hi Tom. Bauman is a really difficult wild card to assess. Here's a guy whose toughness and raw talent is elite. And whose injury history is ugly and scary. He played 109 special teams snaps last season and 71 at tight end. But of those tight end snaps, there were only seven spread over the final eight games following Navy on Oct. 26. So even when Cooper Flanagan went down, Bauman didn't get the call. So spring should inform us what is realistic, because there is opportunity there. And maybe a really good comeback story becomes a better one?

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

3:07

Eric, I agree with you that TE James Flanigan has a chance to be a sizable contributor in '25. My question for you is how does the return of Kevin Bauman impact the TE room?? Certainly his leadership and ST play are big contributions but what is your expert opinion??? Thanks and Go Irish!!!! PS. the WBB is really fun to watch!!!!!

Eric Hansen

3:07

Beave, l will forgive the rules transgression based on your explanation and your well-worded question. I hit on a lot of these points in the runway to the title game and during it and just after it, and would need to revisit those as I'm sort of in lightning-round mode. So what does that mean ... great question and I need more time to give you an answer that matches, so I am going to save it for next time.

The Beave. Grand Rapids MI

3:05

Eric: Had to take my shoes off as my new space heater under my desk is cranking. 🥶🥶Manny and those South of the Mason Dixon line don’t understand what February feels like in the Great North—and why we need the prospect of Spring football to get us through the day. You talk a lot about ND’s culture and I couldn’t agree with you more. I thought ND players’ handling of the transfer portal—both in terms of timing of declarations and comments on the way out for those choosing another path—were exemplary. For an example of a different culture, watch the USC players on the two pick-sixes at the end of that game. Anything subtle come to mind that we haven’t talked about that exemplifies for you the culture Marcus Freeman has built and is building?

Eric Hansen

3:05

Notre Dame's corners play boundary and field. Smith typically lines up into the boundary. He did not on that play. He lined up to Gray's side. ND brought all-out pressure putting the corners in peril of that pressure did not get home. It did not. It was a gamble that did not pay off.

3:03

OK, I had to rewatch the play to make sure I was giving you the right answer ...

Matt (KC)

2:59

Hi Eric, thanks as always for the job you do. One last question I have about the National title game. And it is not sour grapes or Monday morning quarterbacking, I am really proud of this team and their fight and drive. So much fun. If we were going to play man on man against Jeremiyah Smith, OSU's best WR, why did we not have our top CB Leonard Moore on him 1 v 1?

Eric Hansen

2:58

Hi Don. I so think there is enough experience. Way more than last year. The wild card is Ashton Craig and his recovery timeline. But in my conversation with him down in Atlanta, he felt good about being ready for the season. I expect the offensive line to be one of the best position groups on the team in 2025.

Don from Cincinnati

2:56

With the loss of Coogan and Spindler do you feel there is enough experience in the offensive line for the offense to hit the ground running considering the early schedule and also the fact that the offense will take on a totally different look with the new QB no matter who it might be. Thanks for your insight. It is always appreciated.

Eric Hansen

2:56

Riley. I am glad you hit the bold button, because you're right, that's an important position group. Assuming Jason Onye makes it all the way back and picks up where he left off, you'd have a nice core of Onye, Rubio, Hinish and Dawson at the top of your rotation. And then looking to fill in behind that with a couple of younger guys, including the USC transfer --- Elijah Hughes -- in that discussion.

Riley south bend

2:54

How will the defense use the big guy transfer Jared Dawkins out of Louisville ? We need more like him!

Eric Hansen

2:54

Hi Brandan. It's not that others weren't pursued. But Notre Dame is in a really good place right now in terms of commitment to football, in terms of its head coach, and a really promising 2025 roster, so it's hard to take some of those other opportunities.

Brendan from Pittsburgh

2:52

How surprised are you (if at all) that ND has only lost Al Golden of its primary assistant coaches? What do you attribute their retention to?

Eric Hansen

2:52

Hi Matt. I have talked to folks about Chris Ash's philosophies and studied his history, and he has been and will be a 4-3 guy and will be aggressive. The unknown is the NFL influence he's had the past four seasons. And that was a HUGE evolution in Al Golden from his college days to the Al Golden that walked in the door at Notre Dame in February of 2022. So to me, that's what I hope to gather at the first press conference from Chris himself. And then watch the refining of it and tweaking of it in spring practice. I will share a link to a video from Greg McElroy that I think will give you some additional insight ... here. And given ND will stay in a 4-3 look and will have their same position coaches, a player who might not benefit from the change or vice versa would seem to be minimized.

Matt from Austin

2:44

Hi Eric, I hope this finds you well. How do you envision that Coach Ash's defense will differ from Coach Golden's defense? Secondly, which players will be most affected by the change, positively or negatively? Thanks Eric.

Eric Hansen

2:43

Bill, thanks for outing yourself and for the great addendum to a question I couldn't properly answer because of my youth!

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:42

Eric, Jackie Meehan was a true point guard who took very few shots. He was a very smooth dribbler, so much so that you had to really pay attention to notice when he was dribbling between his legs. Also I would hazard a guess that you could supplement Austin’s point totals by 15 - 20% percent if he was playing in the 3 point line era. The current ND women’s backcourt is magical in talent and performance, and those fans who have yet to see this team in person should do so before the end of this season. And yes I am this old!

Eric Hansen

2:42

Don, thanks for the hype! I just need walk-up music now. Can you provide that too? ... To your question, If Kedren Young is healthy -- and he was not last spring and in most of fall camp -- he has a very chance to carve out a niche, because his body type, combined with speed, is so intriguing and unique on this roster. It also helps there will be more carries available for the running backs. QB Riley Leonard led the Irish in carries with 186 or about 11.5 a game. The next ND QB will not average 11.5 carries a game, whoever it is.

Guest

2:34

Don for Los Angeles. Hi Eric, our go-to guy on all things Irish. Appreciate your insightful analysis each week -- repeating your talking points to my ND buddies make me look like I actually know what I'm talking about! Question about RBs. Love, Price and Williams (the unsung hero of the playoffs, don't you agree?!) look like a three-headed monster next year but I wonder if Dembrock will find a role for Kedren Young? At 229, he gives a Bama sized back who we will certainly need once Love and Price leave after next season. Your thoughts about our RB room? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:33

Hi Jules. Dallas Golden and Mark Zackery are really talented but don't arrive until June. Well, that was also the case with Benjamin Morrison and Leonard Moore. I think each of them has a chance to be in a cornerback rotation in need of those kids of rotational players. Combining the finale with USC and the four playoff games, Christian Gray and Leonard Moore played all but one snap. At safety, I think JaDon Blair has the best chance of the freshmen safeties to get into a rotational role at that position.

Jules, Joliet, Ill

2:31

Eric: Notre Dame in the last recruiting class signed a nice DB group. Who,if any, would you expect to see playing time this season (beyond the four game redshirt limit)? Thx.

Eric Hansen

2:30

Tony, that's a question I would prefer to ask on the record to Marcus Freeman rather than do it through back channels. But unless there was something that occurred in the NCG that required a cleanup procedure, that wasn't the way it was trending before the Ohio State game. So that would be a change if it were to move that way.

2581

2:28

Tony from Lexington, KY - Is Jeremiyah Love going to need off-season surgery on his knee? Or will he be fine with rest?

Eric Hansen

2:27

But I AM old, just not THAT old LOL. Thanks for your question.

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

2:26

Eric. I was not implying you are old. I too was young when AC played for the Irish but he was a great player averaging around 35ppg with no 3 point line. I don't remember his running mates at guard either, had to look it up. Thanks for all great work.

Eric Hansen

2:26

Roger, if only you had balanced the exclamation points at the end with more at the start, it would have been a work of art!!!! But I will take the colon and run with it. So projection time, per your request ... Most impactful offense transfer. There are only three and for me, it's WR Malachi Fields, who will be a June arrival. Defense? Nickel Devonta Smith. Impactful freshmen: I think TE James Flanigan is best positioned to impact the offense in 2025. Defense is not as clear cut. I'd say LB Madden Faraimo or S JaDon Blair. Which transfer do they wish they could have back? Probably Jayden Thomas. And finally, it's too easy to take a quarterback, so very much off the top of my head eliminating QBs, I think Jeremiah Smith would be a transformative player -- the WR from Ohio State.

Roger from Peoria

2:15

Eric: While everyone knows "Football Never Sleeps", perhaps it is fair to say now is "Nap Time" for the fans until the first day of Irish practice this Spring. While there may be a verbal commitment or two and a possible de-commitment or two (Argh! unless mutual), we fans can take it easy unlike the Irish coaches, players, and staff and, of course, you and Tyler. So can you give us somethings to dream about until practice starts? Which offensive Portal addition will be the most impactful for the 2025 Irish? Which defensive Portal addition will be the most impactful for the 2025 Irish? Which Irish true freshman will be most impactful for the 2025 Irish, both offensively and defensively? Now, to keep me awake with worry, which Irish Portal do you wish had not occurred? Finally, just for the fun of it (and this may, indeed, be an impossible question to answer), if you could select any one player from another college team to be Irish for the 2025 season, who would you select? GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:15

As to the 2027 recruit offer question, I would have to ask some other people about that. I am not in the weeds with recruiting the way Tyler James is. I know ND likes to make a big splash with Pot of Gold Day on St. Patrick's Day. The off-the-top-of-my-head response would be that probably works as long we you are getting those kids to visit before they have offers. Hope your weather is better than ours!

2:13

Miami played Florida, a good team by year's end but not a top 25 team, as well as FLorida A&M, USF and Ball State in the non-conference. In conference play, they didn't play SMU or Clemson, which means the ONLY ranked team they played was Syracuse and the Hurricanes lost that game. ... Ole Miss did beat Georgia and So. Carolina, but lost to unranked Kentucky, LSU and Florida. Their non-conference schedule? Furman, Middle Tennessee, Ga Southern and Wake Forest. So you could make an argument that soft part of their schedule hurt when it came down to splitting hairs. So I am in favor of more challenging schedules as long as that's within reason, and I know Pete Bevacqua feels the same way. (more)

2:06

Oh Marie, it was 55 this other day and it's back to, well, what the weather was like on the day of the National Championship Game Jan. 20 in Atlanta and then there is the whole thing with the groundhog and now a predicting sleet/ice storm tonight ... thank you for your questions. ... We hit part of your question in the opening, but I wanted to address your assertion teams are talking about weakening their schedules, and I think that might be just posturing and a really stupid move if they carried that out. Let's look at the first two teams out of the playoff this year, Miami and Ole Miss. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

2:03

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week, sounds like the weather in South Bend has actually pretty nice for this time of year. Looking towards spring practice, which players on offense and defense do you think most need to take a big step up in order for Notre Dame to continue to be successful in the fall? Last week we discussed a potential ACC deal where Notre Dame would play two games a year against either Florida State, Miami or Clemson. I see how this arrangement benefits these teams and the ACC, but with teams across college football talking about making their schedules easier so they can make the playoff, how is this beneficial for Notre Dame? In this era where it’s so important to get in on high school players early, do you find it concerning that Notre Dame has only offered three players in the 2027 class? As always, thanks for the great insights and hosting the chat.

Eric Hansen

2:03

Hi Jeff, thanks for the kind words ... and other things, so I let you slide on getting everyone stirred up about violating the "no bare feet" rule. I had to do some research, because this felt like a trick question AND IT IS! So on Feb. 5, 2025, the Irish have seven commits, as you mentioned in their current cycle. And in 2025, they had nine (or at least nine who eventually signed). But here are the numbers for the rest of the decade leading up to this cycle: 7-4-4-6-4-2-5-3-1. So seven is actually a little high, especially considering ND's long playoff run. They'll have kids in for unofficials during spring practice and official visits in June, so I think the timetable looks about right. For the record Kansas has the most commits with 11 and only two other teams are in double digits -- Texas A&M and Oregon with 10 each.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:49

Hey Eric, I'm glad to be jumping back into the chat this off season. Great job with FNS year-round. So, about recruiting. ND has 7 commits for the coming year. Isnt this on the low side for this time in the calendar? Could it be by design? Or due to other factors like the DC change, recruiting staff turnover, long season, etc? BTW, it is beautiful in Phoenix now so any of the other Valley of the Sun chatters should be barefoot and imbibing. Cheers-

Eric Hansen

1:48

Hi Skip. I will try to simplify this for you. This is more down Tyler James' alley, but I can approximate the math. Notre Dame will extend more than 100 offers to kids in each recruiting cycle. Now what if they all say yes? So there's an art and a science to this. You have a board where you prioritize the players are each position. The players at the top of it may have a green light to commit any time. Some players may have an expiration date. If the position fills up, then the offer goes away. Some kids you slow play. You may want to see them in a camp or see them in their senior season or they may need to do some academic work or recover from an injury. So they do not have the green light to commit, and you usually try to put off an official visit. So, yes, not all offers are created equal.

skip - hOUSTON

1:44

About offers during recruiting Al Golden was quoted as saying, “Offers have changed. There’s all kinds of qualifiers on offers in our business." ... Now, there’s a lot of offering and a lot of over-offering." Would you please discuss Notre Dame's "offers". Thank you.

Eric Hansen

1:44

Hi Jack, I am not as old as you think I am, based on this question. I was literally a child when Austin Carr played, but I know he was good enough that if you paired you or me — or a houseplant — with him, he'd still be a formidable backcourt. Quite honestly, I didn't even know who Jack Meehan is/was. And his college stats are pretty modest. But I get to see Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo on a regular basis, and it's pretty special.

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

1:37

Hi Eric. Since you have and still do cover college basketball, I have a fun question for you. Who is the better ND all time basketball backcourt. Austin Carr and Jack Meehan or Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles?

Eric Hansen

1:36

Ryan, I think Jeremiyah Love had an outstanding year, and if he can stay healthy, will have an even better one in 2025.

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