JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 7, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 7, 2024

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Norris from Singer Island FL

1:48

Thanks for being a football oasis in the doldrums of Winter. Three questions. As a passer, what are the strengths of RL and what weeknesses will the coaches have him working on to improve? Since most of your peers have concluded that RL was not induced to come to ND to be a backup, what are your odds that SA will not enter the portal after the Spring Game, and either way, why? Which five of our offensive linemen are the best pass blockers and which five are the best at the running game?

Eric Hansen

1:46

Dan LOVE THE ALL CAPS. Thank you. Al Washington's name was brought up in connection with the still-vacant Boston College head coaching job, and it does not look like that's the direction the Eagles will ultimately go.

Dan, Grand Rapids, Mi

1:42

Hi Eric, GREAT JOB as always! Have you heard anything regarding a possible departure of either Al Golden or Al Washington? I think either would be a difficult loss. If they are both back, I think '24 will be a GREAT year!

Eric Hansen

1:42

Hi James and thanks. I've answered the first part of your question already but can address the second. I was told by a source that the reason Al Golden wasn't more active in recruiting on the road during the contact period was because he was recovering from a surgical procedure. I'll let him address it himself when we talk to him, but this was not a life-threatening type of situation but required him to stay put for a while, nonetheless.

James from Columbus

1:39

Hi Eric, love the chats, podcasts and really glad your on Weekday SportsBeat with Darrin again. It gets us through the offseason. Any word on Golden’s extension and why he wasn’t on the recruiting trail during the last contact period?

Eric Hansen

1:36

Hi Len. I'm not sure how to answer your NIL question. Ohio State was formidable in the portal and in recruiting before NIL. I think it's adjusted to how the game is played and so far within the rules. Then again, this is a school that went on probation once for violations in synchronized swimming, so we'll see. Keep in mind, there are very few absolutes when it comes to reporting NIL numbers. There's a lot of assumptions. ... To your other question, I'm pretty certain George Takacs used his COVID exemption year to play in 2023 at Boston College, so I believe his college career is over. But hypothetically, I don't think Notre Dame would dismiss that idea and yet I don't think that is something they'd be active in pursuing.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:25

Hello Eric! Looks like Ohio State is the new Texas A & M when it comes to NIL spending. I believe OSU program is more stable then A & M. Do you think this NIL barrage will work for your Alma Mater? On the ND program, would the school ever take back a transfer in subsequent years? For example if George Takacs has a Covid year exemption left, would ND consider his transfer back to ND, betting his experience would help the position due to injuries and age at TE?

Eric Hansen

1:25

Riley Leonard evolving as a quarterback into an elite NFL prospect type. Notre Dame's wide receivers surprising. And ND's offensive line surprising and overachieving. Those aren't the only ones, but ND has to avoid key injuries and has to produce some surprise position groups/individuals. Having Mike Denbrock as OC and Mike Brown as WRs coach increases the chances of those things happening.

1:21

Hi Matt, and I bet it's beautiful in Austin. Has been every time I've been there. ... This goes back to Marie's question sort of. Making the playoff is a realistic goal. And I think ND's defense will be good enough to win a playoff game. There are questions on the defensive side of the ball, but so many more of them on the offensive side. And in the current February snapshot, I don't think ND is a national title contender in 2024. Here are the storylines that could have to happen over he course of the next few months for that to change ... (more)

Matt from Austin

1:11

Hi Eric. Thank you for rescinding the no bare feet rule this week as it is beautiful in the ATX. Simple question that may require a more complicated answer. With the expansion of the playoffs, what realistic chance to you give ND of making the top 12? ( probably high). But given that, do you think ND can truly compete for a championship this year and if not, what are the deficiencies? As always, thank you and stay warm.

Eric Hansen

1:11

Ray, please include your hometown next time or I'm going to make you wear shoes. .... I think Notre Dame is in a real good place with both jobs. Mitch Jeter was 23-of-25 on field goals the past two seasons at South Carolina. And the only reason Bryce McFerson (45.1 average) didn't make the top 20 nationally in punting is because ND didn't punt often enough for him to qualify. His focus this offseason is being more consistent and doing the little things to improve his net punting average ... more consistent hang time and placement, fewer touchbacks and returns, etc.

Ray

1:06

Eric, how would you rate Notre Dame‘s kicking and punting going into the spring?

Eric Hansen

1:04

Notre Dame, in being competitive for top coaching talent, is giving coordinators four-year contracts. I still think it's more likely than not Al Golden stays put at ND, but the NFL coaching carousel is still spinning. ... You are right about Hannah Hidalgo. I've been covering WBB this winter and she is amazing.

1:00

Hi Tom, I saw a statistic on Steven Colbert's show that the groundhog has only been right 30 percent of the time in the last decade, which come to think of it might be good enough to land a job as a meteorologist in our market. ... In any event, Beaux Collins was a really coveted high-four star recruit out of national power St. John Bosco High in Bellflower, Calif. Exceptional student. ND took a run at him out of high school. He projects as a boundary receiver, but we'll see what his role is, since there's a lot of experience already at that spot. I will have to check into see what the rules are regarding us interviewing him since he is in town but not enrolled at ND. (more)

Tom Kennesaw, GA

12:53

Hi Eric, I hope that you are doing well and that groundhog Phil is right for a change and we have an early spring. What can you tell us about the WR from Clemson and what his role might be next season?? Is the media not allowed to reach out to him until he is actually enrolled at ND?? Can you give us any of your swami wisdom regarding the speculation that Al Golden has been offered a 4-year extension?? And, if so what is the hold up?? On another subject Hanna Hildago is really fun to watch!!! Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

12:52

John thanks for the compliments. But it we lived in a world where Notre Dame rested its players for the USC game under any circumstances, I would fall out of love with college football. ... Even looking at it pragmatically, you could cost yourself in the seeding and home-field advantage for the first playoff game. And what would you be resting those players for? The playoff game is THREE WEEKS after the USC game.

John Villa Park, Ca

12:48

Thanks for the chats, always a must read for me. I have a question regarding Notre Dame position in new playoff system. If Notre Dame was 11-0 going into the USC game and would most likely finish within the top 8 even if they lost, do you think Notre Dame would rest its starters with nothing to gain/

Eric Hansen

2023: Arkansas State, Buffalo, Clemson, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Navy, North Carolina, Northwestern, Notre Dame, South Alabama, UTSA, and Virginia.

12:47

2019: Air Force, Alabama, Clemson, Louisville, Rice, Utah
2020: no award given
2021: no award given
2022: Air Force, Boston College, Navy, Northwestern, Stanford, Toledo, Vanderbilt

12:46

Here are the all-time winners:
1981: Duke*
1982: Notre Dame*
1983: Notre Dame*
1984: Duke, Notre Dame*
1985: Virginia*
1986: Virginia*
1987: Duke*
1988: Notre Dame*
1989: Kentucky*
1990: Duke*
1991: Notre Dame*
1992: Boston College, TCU*
1993: Duke*
1994: Duke*
1995: Boston College, Duke, Wake Forest*
1996: Boston College, Duke, Vanderbilt*
1997: Duke*
1998: Northwestern
1999: Duke
2000: Syracuse
2001: Notre Dame, Vanderbilt
2002: Northwestern
2003: Duke
2004: Boston College, Northwestern
2005: Duke, Northwestern
2006: SMU
2007: Northwestern, Notre Dame
2008: Vanderbilt
2009: Notre Dame, Miami (Fla.)
2010: Northwestern, Rice
2011: Boise State, Miami (Ohio)
2012: Northwestern, Stanford
2013: Georgia, Rice, Stanford, Tulane
2014: Duke, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Stanford
2015: Duke, Vanderbilt
2016: Miami (Fla.), Northwestern, Stanford
2017: Alabama, Cincinnati, Middle Tennessee State, Northwestern, Utah, Utah State, Virginia
2018: Clemson, Kansas State, Nevada, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh

Here is GSR in a nutshell ... The GSR is based on a six-year graduation window for student-athletes and holds institutions accountable for transfer students, unlike the federal graduation rate. The GSR also accounts for midyear enrollees and non-scholarship students at schools that do not offer athletics aid. Under GSR calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing transfer students who leave in good academic standing. These outgoing transfers are passed to the receiving institution’s GSR cohort.

12:45

Jules, thanks for the promo! Seriously, thank you for putting up with us. The grad rates haven't been as publicized as in recent years, I believe, because the formula is so much more complicated, in part because of how you calculate transfers. In the old, old days, transfers counted against the grad rate, even if that player graduated with honors and discovered a cure for cancer. But what I can tell you is the American Football Coaches Association now uses the newer formula (GSR) in determining its Academic Achievement Award. And Notre Dame in 2023 shared that award with 12 other schools. (more)

Jules, Joliet, Ill

12:40

Thank you (and Tyler) for all of the great content that you gentlemen put out, FNS, podcasts with Bob Morton, Tom Lemming, Ryan Harris, etc., and the fine articles. Question: As long as I can remember, whether on line or in the Chicago Sun Times orTribune, Notre Dame always published the graduation rates for their football team. I do not recall seeing this information the past few years. Have I overlooked it or has this become passé in this of transfers, NIL and leaving early for thr pros?

Eric Hansen

12:37

Hi Rich. We won't see a lot of the newer walk-ons until training camp, as June enrollees or summer additions. Having said that, safety Luke Talich has a real shot at being an important part of the rotation at safety and likely won't be a walk-on for too much longer. I've been impressed with cornerback Isaiah Dunn, but I think depth will keep him out of anything but mop-up duty. Tre Reader at linebacker has impressed, but again there's a lot of young talent he's competing with. Eric Goins, the 30-year-old Citadel transfer, is a great story and a nice Plan B in case of injury to No. 1 kicker and South Carolina transfer Mitch Jeter. Ask me again in August, and I may have a few more names to keep an eye on.

Rich Key West

12:31

Good afternoon, do you see any of the current walk ons bringing their game up to a level where they not only contribute on special teams but also get regular shifts with a position group?

Eric Hansen

12:29

Thanks Joe. Notre Dame actually has that position already, although it's called something else than general manager — assistant athletics director, player personnel. And his name is Butler Benton. According to his bio, Benton's responsibilities include "roster management, the evaluation process, and management of the recruiting and scouting departments." Sounds like a general manager. But director of recruiting Chad Bowden could certainly be offered some overlapping responsibilities in that area, given his value to Notre Dame and his demonstrated ability to handle new challenges he's worked to have a shot at.

Guest

12:23

Joe H from Williams Bay Wi Hi Eric thanks for making this bleak time of year more enjoyable with your chats.I was thrilled to see that Chad Bowdon is not jumping ship to Michigan With that being said I keep hearing about him and others being offered General Manager positions at other programs and wondered if Notre Dame is planning on going that route and what generally that intails

Eric Hansen

12:23

Hey Ryan. We'll get a chance to see and talk to Jordan Clark for the first time this Friday. As the most logical replacement at this point for nickel Thomas Harper, he's an important piece in what was the nation's No. 1 pass-efficiency defense this past season.

Ryan mars pa

12:22

Good afternoon Eric when talking to The Transfer players how has Jordan Clark looked GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

12:22

Lorne, you had me sweating there. I usually don't remind people the day of the chat about the double-secret probation penalty for 17-part questions and/or manifestos. But kudos for a clever way to get to your question. ... I jotted down five names as a surprise player after reading your question and going through the positions in my head. To me, they have to be someone who didn't start at ND last season. I settled on OT Aamil Wagner. I also considered WR Kris Mitchell, S Luke Talich, DE Josh Burnham and DE Boubacar Traore.

Lorne

12:17

Lorne from Reno. Is there going to be a real QB competition or will Leonard be handed the job? Can ND compete in an NIL world and maintain its values? Your prediction for the new o-line? Can we keep Golden? Will we be starting transfer QB's forever? What? You've already answered all of those, and most more than once? In defense of us followers of yours, there's not much new until practice starts (though the stories on the newbies are great). Let me try something different (though I can't guarantee it hasn't been asked): what are we missing -- that is, what player, who isn't being talked about much, is going to be the biggest surprise or have the biggest impact this year? (To try to save time on the opening Q's: real comp; yes, for now, but who knows in the future; Wagner, Jaguseh, Schrauth, Coogan, Craig; about 50-50, but we'll see with positions still opening and being filled; no, esp. given the current QB's on the roster).

Eric Hansen

12:16

And when you use the hypothetical of Riley Leonard meeting his ceiling, draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., had him as a high draft choice last offseason before the injuries. ... Yes I am surprised to an extent that Mike Elston is headed to the NFL. We've only briefly exchanged texts recently, so we haven't had a conversation about it. But knowing Mike, I could see that if he wasn't going to be Jesse Minter's successor as D-coordinator, maybe this would be a good move for him as it would keep him off the road more recruiting.

12:12

Hi Marie. Great week here and thanks for your questions. It's not just a talent quotient at certain position groups that can pave the way for a national title, there's the context of how it's developed and coached. And that snapshot may look quite different for certain position groups in April, in August and as we work our way through the season. Having said that, the two position groups that have an elite talent/development/coaching combination right now are the cornerbacks and defensive line. But there are reasons to be optimistic about other position groups, especially on defense. Keep in mind the offense has had much more personnel turnover AND has to learn a new offensive system. I would say the two position groups that have the most questions and the biggest climb ahead of them are the offensive line and wide receivers. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:06

Hey Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. As we all know, optimism is at its highest right before the start of spring practice. Which position groups have enough talent to win a national championship next year? Assume that Riley Leonard comes close to meeting his ceiling. Which position groups do you think have the most work to do and is it possible for them to improve enough to win a national championship? On an entirely different note, were you at all surprised that Mike Elston left Michigan for the NFL? I guess I just never really thought of him as an NFL coach. As always, thanks for keeping the off-season chats going. They always make the week so much better.

Eric Hansen

I am properly caffeinated, so let's get rolling.

Because it's supposed to hit 60 degrees in South Bend on Friday, the "no bare feet" rule has been rescinded for this week.

12:05

Here are the rules.