JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 13, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 13, 2021

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Eric Hansen

1:01

Alex, thanks. The portal concept changed the entire dynamic of transferring. Once you're in there, you can freely talk to whoever you want and vice versa. You don't need a release from your school, etc. It's a lot cleaner of a process. Typically schools monitor the portal and make the first move. I don't know if ND looked at anyone else, and Jack wasn't in the portal very long (Dec. 2, I believe). Sometimes ND will slow-play a potential transfer, as they did with Nick McCloud -- for two reasons. One, they didn't have the numbers to make that work in January, when he entered the portal. Two, they wanted to let spring play out to see what they had already on the roster with so many young CBs. But spring got wiped away, and so bringing in an experienced corner made a lot of sense. ... In bringing in Jack Coan, I'm good with it, provided the premise is he's competing for the starter job and not the heir to it.

Alex from Jackson, MO

12:56

Eric, do you agree bringing in a transfer with experience at QB was a good idea? I for one think it was a really good call. Secondly, do you think Jack was the first choice, or simply the first to agree to transfer? Any idea how that works? Who reaches out to him to gauge interest? Is there someone at ND who has a relationship with a coach at Wisconsin who is a go between? Interesting how that whole dynamic works. Thanks as always. Hope you are doing well.

Eric Hansen

12:56

Dwight, I'll try to intuit a question. I left Notre Dame where I had them on my ballot pre-playoff, and that's at No. 4. ... There are all kinds of way-too-early top 25s. I've seen ND as high as 6th and as low as 15th. And it's all a guess right now. Just have fun and enjoy the conversation would be my advice.

Dwight from central Arkansas

12:51

The OSU vs Bama outcome should stop the negatives towards ND being in the playoffs. The Tide is simply better than everybody else. I don't know where ND will be in the final poll, but they shouldn't fall far IMO. The ESPN (way too early pre-season poll) as they call it has the Irish ranked #15. They have Clemson #1, why above Bama I don't understand. Other teams above the Irish include North Carolina, Cincinnati, A&M and IU just to name a few. I know it's way too early to even try a reasonable guess at where everyone stands. If you care to respond that's fine. I know there's not really a question there. Thanks for good work in a bad year for sports.

Eric Hansen

12:50

Jim, I appreciate you and the other chat-heads. This is a really fun part of my week. ... I hope to talk to Tommy at some point, but I have not as of yet. However, my sense is that, in his mind, coming back wasn't necessarily going to boost his stock, particularly if Michael Mayer continues to evolve into a first-round pick and All-American. Also with a new offensive line and new QB, there was some risk. Todd McShay projects Tremble to go in rounds 2-4, which isn't bad.

Jim Tal, Valley Center, CA.

12:46

Good afternoon Eric. Hope all is well with you and yours. I so appreciate these chances to interact with you and get your perspective on all things Irish. I was genuinely surprised that Tommy Tremble opted out. I love Tommy as not only a terrific blocker but as a real talent. However, he did have some drop issues and I believe coming back to totally polish his receiving skills would have been in his best interests since he was destined to be more of a focal point in the passing game. Can you provide some insight into Tremble's decision? What factors were really at play here because from the outside looking in, it seems as if he's jumping the gun somewhat. He definitely could have enhanced his draft stock by remaining with the Irish for an additional year. Thanks much.

Eric Hansen

12:46

The GSR accounting system that the NCAA moved to a few years ago doesn't penalize you for players transferring out, as long as they left the university in good academic standing.

Peter Burke Coto De Caza, CA

12:45

How do transfers count in the graduation rate of the team?

Eric Hansen

12:45

Denny, thanks. I think that's the risk when you hire really good people. Marcus wants to be a head coach. He was in the running for the Illinois head coaching job recently. If he does at Notre Dame what he did at UC, he's going to be in demand. But two or three years of Freeman, I think, is worth it.

Denny from Beaverton

12:42

Good morning Eric; Assuming that the hire of Marcus Freeman works out as well as hoped, what assurances in the screening and hiring processes do you think were given to minimize the possibility of a similar early exit that occurred with a recent DC hire to Texas A&M? Cutting through all the legalize of a contract do you think, for example, that Freeman would have promised to remain at Notre Dame for at least three years assuming the chemistry was there? Or is this always just a crap shoot with a big hire and a high profile program? Best to you this year and I very much appreciate your chats!

Eric Hansen

12:42

Yes, I think that's a fair assessment. He did have a good year on the recruiting trail this past cycle. But there's lot of young WR talent on this roster, and it's time to show he can develop it.

Sorry, got things out of sequence there. I'll answer Tom's question now.

12:40

Jason, I'm not sure your math would hold up as to players elsewhere leaving early vs. Notre Dame players leaving early. Keep in mind, ND's players are put on a pace to graduate in 3 1/2 years, so when they turn down a fifth-year option, they already have their degree. And for the true juniors who declare, they're not that far away from a degree. At other schools, players may want to return to finish their degree work, because they've been on a slower pace to graduate. ... Brian Kelly has lots of NFL resources to help advise the players. They also get advice typically from their families. Some don't care about the round they'd be drafted. They're just ready for a new challenge. ... Without knowing who the quarterback will be ... I'll take a stab at 9-3, with the provision I can adjust that after spring practice.

Tom from Downers Grove

12:39

Hi Eric, thanks for answering our questions throughout the season. Do you feel like next year is a little bit of a make or break season for Coach Alexander in the WR room? Our veterans and grad transfers helped us out last season after some injuries but is it fair to say we need to see some production from our touted recruits? Thanks.

Jason, Amber, PA

12:34

Eric, At other schools I am surprised at the number of players who are projected to be middle and late round draft picks who decide to return to school for another year. At ND it seems to be the opposite. Too many players are leaving early that would greatly benefit from another year of college football. Who advises these players? Do the coaches do anything to persuade them that returning for another year is the best option for them? What is your way to early projection for next year? I'll go with 8-4 or 7-5.

Eric Hansen

12:33

I liked that the playoffs/bowls were shortly after the regular season ended. I'm not sure that works, though, with a regular academic calendar instead of the condensed one used this year. It'd be fun question to ask Brian Kelly, but one in which his answer wouldn't affect a possible change. They're going back to the old way next year, provided we're in a better place with the pandemic.

Bob Loganville, GA

12:30

Eric, I really liked the game scheduling in NCAA football this season. Having meaning games in mid December than a 1 week break before the playoffs was far better IMO than the customary format. I'm all for starting the season later or incorporating additional bye weeks for this type of schedule to continue. But then again I'm not the student athlete having to deal with mid terms and finals. Thoughts?

Eric Hansen

12:30

With five quarterbacks on the roster, including a grad transfer already, why would they look at another one? And one who didn't play last season and has only 35 career passing attempts?

Chris in Albuquerque

12:26

Has Notre Dame tried kicking the tires on Dylan McCaffrey as a quarterback for next year?

Eric Hansen

12:25

Sean, thanks. I have to put this on Ian Book's shoulders. We had Todd McShay on our Pod of Gold podcast before the game, and in his game prep for ESPN he talked to the ND coaches about that very thing. And they were telling Ian BEFORE the game that he needed to cut it loose. Now did they provide a game plan that allowed him to do that effectively? You could argue maybe not. I hate to stick this on Book, because he brought a lot of really good things to the table. But you asked me a specific question, and I feel like I need to answer it honestly.

Sean, Greensboro, NC

Sorry, hit wrong key before I was finished. You said that the Irish did not throw more to their wideouts against Alabama because Book was not willing to do what he did in the first Clemson game, “throw into a tight window and let his receivers make a play.” Question, who made that call, Book or the coaching staff? Either way, it shows a team not willing to do what it takes to win.It annoys me to no end. Hope you get to see your grandkids soon. Thanks for all you do.

12:21

Eric, hope you can clear something up for me. You said in last weeks chat that, “ Irish did not throw to wide receivers more

Eric Hansen

12:20

Justin, really interesting question. Ohio State can indeed cast a wider net because of academic standards, but there are a few of other things in play. One, when Urban Meyer was there, he was as good a recruiter as there is in the nation. Ryan Day is off to a great start, but it'll be interesting to see if he can sustain it. Another factor is Ohio is still a huge producer of talent, and so many kids in Ohio grow up wanting to be a Buckeye. In terms of producing NFL talent, for instance, Ohio is fifth -- behind only Florida, California, Texas and Georgia. In terms of cities producing the most NFL talent, Cincinnati is fourth and Cleveland seventh. One more factor — playoff success. Getting to and winning playoff games helps shape perception. At least ND is getting to the playoff.

Justin in Houston

12:11

Eric, you bring balance, honesty and insight to delusional ND fandom. It’s much appreciated. My questions are about recruiting. Ohio State is in the big 6 in recruiting with Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, LSU and USC. 5 of those 6 are in the south or out west with better weather. How does Ohio State recruit so well being a northern, cold weather school while one of the knocks on ND is that it’s a northern, cold weather location? Is academics really the only difference? Thanks for helping keep us ND faithful!!!

Eric Hansen

12:11

Mike Elston has indeed been a tremendous asset for the Notre Dame program in some very obvious ways and some not so obvious. It's really up to Mike as to whether Brian Kelly can keep him. There's mutual interest at Purdue. There are other opportunities, and there would be even more next year. He's 46, and he may feel the window is closing on him getting to be a head coach if he doesn't take the step to be a coordinator now. There are reasons to stay, but I'm not sure Mike can wrap his head around those right now. Sometimes a few days can make a big difference in how you view a fork in the road like this.

Jim Erie, PA

12:05

Will Kelly be able to keep Elston? Elston has been a tremendous ambassador for the University and football program. His loyalty is admirable too. I have high hopes he is positioned to be this generations George Kelly. A cornerstone of the football program for decades.

Eric Hansen

Let's get right to it.

12:02

Beyond that, PLEASE remember to include your name and address with your question.

12:01

Here are the normal rules.