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

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 5, 2025

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Ryan Frankfort illinois

1:36

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about The season Love Had he had a Good Year GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

1:36

OK, now the translation, so many moving parts, but whatever it spits out, football is going to get most of that money.

1:35

"Men’s and women’s basketball? What sports generate revenue? No secret there, you have sports that generate more revenue than others. And then quite frankly, how do you factor in Title IX. What are the regulations and rules that make sure you have to do everything properly.

"I think everybody — certainly not just Notre Dame — is in the process right now of reading every bit of information available, keeping track of how the settlement is going, certainly keeping track of what Congress might or might not do. What the DOJ and the Department of Education is saying and then responding appropriately. But it’s still very much a work in progress." (more)

1:34

OK, I found the quote. It was a question that is going to complicate what you are looking for, but was asked about Title X considerations. So let me give you the full quote and then translate a bit:

"What might change between now and April 7, should the house settlement get approved as it goes into effect in July, I think there’s going to be so much change, so much material change, in terms of identifying and dictating the rules of the road between now and then, we’re kind of sitting back and doing a little bit of just absorbing that information and making sure we’re up to speed on everything. So when the rules of engagement are finalized, we’re ready to move as smartly and strategically as possible.

"The first $2.5 mill come from the cap,. We intend to equal or surpass the $2.5 million number, but then you’re really left with a cap amount of money (from the original 20.5). And then universities will decide how they will distribute that money. Will you compensate football players differently? (more)

1:30

All sports, but football is going to get most of that. Let me see if I can find the Bevacqua quote from our interview in Atlanta ... give me a sec.

Bill from St Joe, MI

1:29

Hi Eric!!! By now I should know this but looking to you for confirmation. Regarding the $20.5M in direct payments for 2025, is that amount the total for all sports, or is it limited to football?

Eric Hansen

1:29

Hi Ced. Good call on possible depth-chart engineering possibly with Payne. It's something I would be thinking about as a coaching staff member or Payne himself. There are going to be six backs next year and it will be hard for Payne to push for much of a role. Not sure yet if he's going to be fully ready for spring. ... But where would he play? There are already 11 wide receivers. My sense is defense might be the path of least resistance. Again, this isn't me reporting this, this is just spit-balling here on an interesting question. Cornerback would seem to make the most sense in terms of numbers if there were to be a move.

Guest

1:21

ced walker saginaw michigan aka sagnasty Saginaw pride can you see Gi'Bran Payne also getting reps at wr can you see Dallas golden playing both ways at CB and wr very concern at depth at CB god bless this football here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen

1:20

Hi Tom, there is no tardy bell here. Jump in and jump out as you wish. There used to be a young man who was a regular in here who was asking questions from his college math class, so we're flexible. As long as you are wearing shoes, by God! Yes, there will be modifications to both winter workouts, which just started for many of the players earlier this week, and for spring practices. I was told we may have a chance to speak soon to director of football performance Loren Landow about those details, and I am hoping that becomes a reality.

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

1:18

Hi Eric, sorry to jump in so late. With the long run of games in the playoffs, has there been any word of making adjustments in the way that spring practice may be run??? Maybe not as much hitting and one on one drills as in the past?? I realize that there are position battles to grade but this is a whole new area for the playoff teams. Thanks and Go Irish!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

Notre Dame is and will remain competitive in this new era of college football. It may not prevent your heart from palpitating, but it is the way Notre Dame can build long-term success. Now let's have a coffee.

1:17

Notre Dame is going to build with high school recruiting and supplement with the transfer portal. That works in the short term and the long game for Notre Dame. It's easier to find the right fits when you have a culture in place, then trying to re-establish culture annually with high, high turnover. Like Florida State, that hit the portal lottery one year and was on portal skid row the next. Assistant coach turnover is prevalent across college football and has been at Notre Dame over the last 50 years. That's college football. But you have a better chance of developing players when you have a culture in place that works. (more)

1:13

NIL will then supposedly be something outside of direct payments from the universities and will be true NIL deals, like car dealerships, clothing, etc. How teams spend their money is up to them, which is why the GM hiring (and support around that position) is so important. Do you spend more money on transfers/ On recruits? On retaining the players you already have? OK so we've got that established. Now let's get to your questions/concerns. (more)

1:11

Hello Mr. Harvey, sir. I am returning the respect card, not mocking you, let me assure you. Now your questions, though, have some faulty assumptions baked into them. And this whole rapidly evolving college sports business model is very confusing and kind of makes it easy not to understand. So let's at least try to get on the same page with that so I can better answer your questions. We will know much more on April 7 at an important court hearing, but the revenue-sharing model is likely to be in place for 2025. Each school's spending will be capped at $20.5 million for the coming year. I am trying to oversimplify this so we both only need caffeine and not bourbon. (more)

Beau Harvey, Rockwood, TN

1:05

Hello Mr. Hansen, sir. My Question... Are we ever going to spend the cash like other teams or are we just going to recruit ND guys and develop? We just went to the championship and received a lot of cash! Why are we not spending it in recruiting? As long as everyone else is doing it, then we better as well or we will never win a championship in my opinion. Our assist. coaches leave year in and out, so it's hard to develop that way. Spend and win! Winning with 3 and 4 star guys is going to give me a heart attack bc of close games. Your thoughts? There are kids out there that will take the big bucks and go to a rigorous school surely! Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

1:05

Hi Joe H. Thanks for jumping on board today. No. Al Golden is a pro, and I don't think he was distracted by the Bengals job. I think he was challenged by a very difficult offense that executed at a very high level against a team that couldn't manufacture a pass rush. Is it a different challenge for Golden if Rylie Mills and Traore or Botelho play? Yes, because having a pass rush takes away some of Ohio State's offensive versatility. ... As far Jaylen Sneed, I think he already hit that inflection point and recommitted himself to being the best he can be at ND. And if ND recommits to a rotation, I think he'll find a role where he can be productive and a better version in 2025.

Guest

1:01

Joe H from Williams Bay Wi Hi Eric thanks for all your reporting and insights on the longest season in Notre Dame history Looking back on the national championship game I was wondering if you thought that Al Golden was distracted with the Bengals job offer The defense looked confused and more out of position than they were all season and secondly what do you think the future holds for Jaylon Snead Does he stay at Notre Dame and if he does do you think he will be a starter next year

Eric Hansen

1:00

Hey Don, have I got a story for you to read if you want more depth: How Notre Dame football's 2024 numbers should impact its vision for 2025

Two areas top the list: Improving pass efficiency on offense and rush defense on defense. ... to part 2, I'm not sure how the fan base would process it. I think there's a hunger and belief ND is as close to winning a title as they've been in a long time. It's kind of hard to tamp that down. We'll see. ... to Part 3, Empty time? What is this alien language you are speaking?

Don in Scottsdale

Even if they are better they may not be 1 or 2. Let's say they are a better time but loose to the eventual winner in the secornd or third round, will the ND faithful see progress or failure? Thanks of doing this as we hit the empty time.....

12:56

Eric, OK, there's spring ball, B&G game, summer camp before Freeman's season 4 starts. What does ND need to be better in '25.

Eric Hansen

12:56

Hi TB. I want to be careful how I word this. How a hiring process of this magnitude plays out in reality may not align closely with what's being reported. Tyler James is working on this story for us, and I know he has been frustrated by some misinformation want one to say that there are plenty of people on our beat with reporting integrity. And there some who do not or are even doing their own reporting. And it's hard, as a reader, sometimes to know what you can trust. But think about it, if this guy is a home run hire, then why would Texas Tech let him go without a fight? Wouldn't you think there would be negotiations and counter offers and soul searching and consulting with family? And as much as some may want to think working at ND is a no-brainer, not everyone sees it that way and there are considerations to mull when it comes to a major life decision.

TB from Ohio

12:48

Hello Eric, there seemed to be a ton of smoke with Freeman targeting James Blanchard from Texas Tech to replace Bowden. Reports were that he flew into South Bend on Saturday for a meeting with some type of decision to shortly follow. Many folks in the industry seemed to think this was the home run replacement of Bowden. Now it's Wednesday and we have heard nothing. What gives? Could this be another miss where we brought coaches on campus but can't seem to close the deal?

Eric Hansen

12:48

Hi Lorne. Notre Dame recently put out a spring roster, and I did a story on spring story lines and included notably who was on the roster and who was not (including Tosh Baker and two of the transfers, for instance). In checking around, Onye is in school and intending to rejoin the team. Could that go backwards, given how much time he missed last season? I think that's a reasonable question. But if he had no intention of returning to football or Notre Dame, he would not have been included. So we'll get an update once we get a little closer to spring.

Lorne

12:40

Lorne from Reno. Thanks as always for the chats. It seems that you have been referring to Jason Onye as though he is definitely returning to the team and will even be a key piece of the defensive line. Has anything been said publicly about this (if so, I apologize for missing it) and, if not, what is it that makes you seem somewhat sure that he will be back? Will he be involved this spring?

Eric Hansen

12:39

Hi Joe. ND is done with the 2025 recruiting cycle. They're working on the 2026 group and getting ready to offer scholarships to a tsunami of prospects next month in the 2027 class. If they're going to add to the 2025 roster, it would be after the spring transfer portal window opens (April 16-25).

Joe granger,In

You would think Notre Dame after having a great championship run would be able to maybe sway a couple of recruits that are available.

12:38

Is Marcus going to get any recruits today?

Eric Hansen

12:37

Hi Shane, thank you. I'll give you two, but there are several. I'll go offensive line and linebackers. I really like the corners as well, but two of the really good freshmen won't be here until June. Biggest concern? Interior defensive line.

Shane from White Deer, TX

12:35

Hey Eric. Hope all is well. Quick question heading into Spring ball. Which position group do you think is in the best position? On the flip side, which group concerns you most? Thanks for the chat. Go Irish.

Eric Hansen

12:35

1 Schrauth, 2 Jagusah, 3 Wagner, 4 Craig, 5 Knapp, 6 Lambert, 7, Absher, 8 Black, 9 Terek, 10 Strebig. It will be really interesting to see if 6-7-8 can close the gap. But that's how I see it. Check back with me after spring.

12:33

Len!!!!!!! Coming strong with the punctuation today. Love it. I am not basing this snapshot on today, but where I think they will be heading into training camp at the end of July, beginning of August. That way we can factor in five-star Will Blake who arrives in June and also account for some development by the others in spring. So here goes:

Len from the Jersey Shore

12:29

Hello Eric!!!!!!!!!! I am curious to see how the players, and to a lesser degree coaches, recover from the longest season in College Football history. I remember when ND did not go to bowl games and one poll picked the Natty before the bowl and one after. How things have changed. I hope you and Tyler have recovered from the playoff excitement and grind. Can you rank for me, based upon recruiting analysis, the top 10 offensive linemen going into the 2025 season. That would include this years recruits. Which player not on that list would get the Pat Coogan award for developing above their recruiting rating?

Eric Hansen

12:28

Hi Brian. I think most Irish fans are probably perplexed, as you are. A couple of things. There was a hope Oben would have a similar arc to what Javontae Jean-Baptiste did in his one year at field end the year before Oben arrived. Not close. And Oben had a quiet September, followed by a pretty rough October. But his film grades per PFF were very good in November and he had an elite game against Georgia during ND's playoff run. But we're not talking about a high draft pick. What we might be talking about is the difference between being drafted and being an undrafted free agent. But he is looked on as an ascending player, even though it was not obvious to most of us.

Brian from MA

12:23

Long time listener, first time caller. Seeing Oben getting a lot of hype after the senior bowl. Didn’t really see that production on the field consistently this season. Am I mis-remembering?

Eric Hansen

12:21

Hi Michael. If a player is such a snowflake that a freshman looking good in practice pushes him in the transfer portal, he should have never been at a place like Notre Dame in the first place. The Irish recruit competitive players, and the motto is "Choose Hard" not "Choose Until it gets TOO hard." I think Tyler Buchner being on the roster and being committed to playing football in 2025 (and lacrosse again this spring) is a nice safety net. Anthony Rezac is also on the roster and could provide some depth.

Michael from Chicagoine

12:19

if ND loses 1-2 QBs to the portal after the spring do you anticipate Buchner being moved back to a full-time QB? Also, any notable standouts from the early enrollees (wondering if Herbert looked good and it that might hasten a departure from the QB room if he did).

Eric Hansen

12:18

Perhaps that Stanford would count toward the five ACC games a year commitment instead of a standalone arrangement, which in turn would give ND more scheduling flexibility. It might also allow ND to not play Stanford EVERY year if it doesn't want to do that. But committing to those schools more often that are big brand names and USUALLY toward the top of the ACC, I think, puts ND in a better place when it comes to strength-of-schedule comparisons.

12:16

Hi Bob. I do think things are moving in that direction to an unbalanced ACC schedule, and having spoken with Pete Bevacqua about this in Atlanta and some other scheduling stuff, this is something Notre Dame is on board with. In fact, he said he wouldn't mind playing Clemson every year. And I think ND and the ACC are willing partners who would work together on the dates/venues etc. As far as "saving" the ACC, I think it's mutually beneficial. ND gets to have full ACC membership in men's women's basketball and most of the Olympic sports without having to commit to a full football schedule. What might ND be able to negotiate in this scheduling agreement? (more)

Bob (Oxnard)

12:07

Hi Eric, do you think we are going to play Clemson/Miami/FSU more (as J heard the ACC proposed)? If so, can we get anything in return (e.g., more say on where and when the games are played). Seems like we should get something we want in return for potentially saving the ACC.

Eric Hansen

12:06

We've got a very full queue, but keep 'em coming. Off we go ...

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