JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 17, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 17, 2024

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Eric Hansen

1:45

No precise dates yet for spring football. We should get the official word on starting and ending point soon. Last year's start date was affected -- pushed back -- because of Tommy Rees' late departure to Alabama and Harry Hiestand's retirement, so ND won't likely release a start date until the NFL and college coaching carousels stop spinning. ... Back in the day, there was a little time to catch your breath in December between the end of the regular season and the bowl game. Not anymore. December is just the opposite these days. Not complaining, just answering your question.

1:42

OK, I've received several questions regarding Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden and his future, so I'm going to consolidate them here. Here's what I know. Golden is recruiting and doing his research on prospects beyond the 2025 class as well as if he'll not only be here in 2024 but longer. However, some of that is the level of professionalism you get from Al Golden. Until/unless he leaves, you're going to get 100 percent of him every day if you're Marcus Freeman. I've moved my gut feeling about his chances of staying at ND for 2024 from less than 50 percent, to a little more than 50. But I still think he's a hot commodity and will have to make a decision, and I don't think it's a financial one. It's this: At age 54, where does he want his career to go and how best to get there? He loves his Notre Dame experience and working for Marcus and that makes that question tougher -- but it's a first-world problem. (more)

Mike K.Costa Mesa Ca.

1:31

Do you take any time off after the season ? Do You have the dates yet for spring football ? What is Your hunch with AL GOLDEN ,leaving or staying . Thank You

Eric Hansen

1:31

Larry, thank you. The thought you all put into your questions weekly not only makes for a fun/informative chat, but it gives me some great story ideas as well. So thanks to you Larry and the others.

Guest

1:30

Larry from Topton, PA: Hi Eric. No question today. I just want you to know how much we ND fans appreciate you and your team continuing your content, now that we are well into the offseason. Football Never Sleeps, Inside ND Sports Podcasts, WSBT radio hits. And especially these chats, which help us get through the middle of the week. Thanks for continuing the level headed analysis and insight!

Eric Hansen

1:29

He really has to spend time with all the position groups, because he's putting in a new offense. There's work to be done at his position group, tight ends, this spring, but I think the most urgent areas IN SPRING is getting the offensive line sorted out and working with Gino Guidugli on developing Riley Leonard as a more dangerous and consistent threat in the downfield passing game.

1:27

Thanks for the compliments, Scott. Those never get old, even though I do. I want to give you a more precise answer, but I think that's to be determined. And the good thing about it is, Mike has expertise with so many position groups. An example for you, in 2015 Mike was the play-caller and wide receivers coach for the Irish, but he spent a lot of time with QB DeShone Kizer once Malik Zaire went down for the season in game two. That relationship allowed Kizer to grow and adapt at a much faster rate than if Denbrock didn't take that approach. (more)

Scott Augusta, Ga

My question is Mike Denbrock. Where do you see him mostly engaged as he begins his time as Offensive Coordinator? Will he need to spend copious time with Rudolph working on the line? It looks like we have weapons on offense but I'm concerned the line may be a gapping hole (like how I did that). Be safe and stay warm!

1:23

Eric!!! Excellent Monday night talk listening to you and Tyler. I always gain a lot listening to the FNS discussion. You both bring great insight every day. My question is Mike demb

Eric Hansen

1:23

With the linebackers, I do think Jack Kiser will find his way onto an NFL roster next year ... not saying he'd be a high draft pick, but he has extreme special teams value. ... But the five I like their trajectory are Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Jaylen Sneed, Drayk Bowen, Bodie Kahoun and Jaiden Ausberry. I think Jaylen Sneed absolutely has the athleticism and intelligence, but that needs to translate to CONSISTENT production starting this season. Bowen's path is clouded by how he handles his baseball dream. Ausberry has the instincts and the skill set ... will he have the size?

1:19

Len, thank you! With offensive linemen, there are always lower-recruited guys who rise up and surprise — at ND and elsewhere. Pat Coogan did last offseason, and Ryan Harris loves his game. But the four I think have a chance to be coveted NFL Draft choices someday -- and this is based on raw material and a lot of projection -- are Charles Jagusah, Aamil Wagner, Billy Schrauth and June-enrolling freshman Guerby Lambert. (more)

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:12

Hello Eric, I had a chance a few weeks ago to watch Indy play Houston, the last game of the NFL regular season. We usually do not get many Indy games. I wanted to watch Q block. It was as good a game that I have seen a guard play ever. Then this week I saw Cleveland play Houston. And although Cleveland got bulldozed, it was great to see JOK play. He was all over the field. There were other ex ND players I watched recently. But the performances by these two stood out. Question, now that Alt and Fischer have moved on who do you predict will be the next great lineman from ND to start in the NFL ? And since LB recruiting has been so high lately, which LB's are most likely to follow to the NFL from ND from this 2024 roster? Thanks again Eric for taking the time to host these chats.

Eric Hansen

1:11

I'm going to assume your name is James and not Lames unless you tell me differently. ... I'm not sure how best to answer your question. There will be a quarterback competition in the spring. There are four quarterbacks on the roster. Steve has a chance to win the job. If Riley Leonard or someone else is leading the Irish when they open the 2024 season at Texas A&M, it's because Steve didn't win the competition. It's that simple.

Guest

1:09

Lames Lau, Dover. Pa. Why will Angell[ not be given a real chance to lead the team at Texis A@M.

Eric Hansen

1:08

You can listen to that edition of the Inside ND Sports podcast here. Linebacker Jack Kiser and other Irish players raved about Jagusah in practice .., so now let me specifically answer your question. Charles' biggest impediment to progress was coming back from PCL surgery. But he's super athletic, incredibly coachable and intelligent and his work ethic is elite. Longtime recruiting analyst Tom Lemming thinks he can be as good as Nelson, McGlinchey, etc. So, wherever he ends up on the line -- right tackle, left tackle, inside -- it's likely a matter of when he ascends, not if.

1:04

Hi Tony. You are a lively minx if you're suggesting Florida is cold, relatively or not! Seriously, I'm not a big scarf guy but my face felt like it was on fire walking from my car into Purcell Pavilion on Sunday when the temp was-7. So I ordered one from Amazon. ... To your question. The PFF eval on Jagusah was one of the weirdest I've ever seen. With each game, they do a film review — quickly and overnight — using the TV copy of the game film. So there are things you're going to miss. By midweek, they do a more thorough evaluation using the "all 22" game film. Typically, there are some subtle grade changes. Jagusah's was a massive shift in the wrong direction. Having said that, former ND O-lineman and current broadcaster Ryan Harris was very encouraged about Jagusah's performance. (more)

Tony, Lake Mary, FL

12:59

Hey Eric from colder than normal Florida (wink). I think Charles Jagusah got the best grade from PFF for the lineman in the sun bowl, right? I know Tyler was not very high on his performance for the game. Is there a sense that the coaching staff feels like he will be there in e he gets the game reps against more complex defenses, or was he just the best at the moment they had for the bowl game. I would suspect a learning curve for him in terms of complexity, but think he is immensely coachable

Eric Hansen

12:57

Wake Forest transfer WR Jahmal Banks, who visited ND in late December, ended up at Nebraska. ... Yes, the visit of Marshall WR transfer Jayden Harrison was very hush-hush, and sometimes that's by design from Notre Dame's standpoint.

12:52

Hi Sean. There's a calculus that doesn't include a legendary coach retiring in January that released Caleb Downs and others from Alabama (and Washington and Arizona from domino coaching changes). Even then, Downs I think knew he was headed to Georgia even before he entered the portal. We'll see if that plays out. Having said that, if ND really wanted Downs too and he wanted to play at Notre Dame, you'd make room for a player of that caliber. So it's not one or the other. But keep in mind, Notre Dame has already started classes. And six of the eight Irish transfers are taking classes here and will participate in spring practice. The other two — Rod Heard II and Beaux Collins — are living in South Bend and finishing up course work this semester remotely. (more)

Sean, Portland OR

12:46

I know that there's a lot of positives about ND doing well in the transfer portal this year regarding their positional needs. They appeared to act quickly and decisively. However, could this be causing them to potentially miss out on better fits? For example... If they wanted another safety, would they still have went after Heard from Northwestern with Caleb Downs now in the portal? Whatever happened to Jahmal Banks from Wake? I don't know that he's committed anywhere yet, and the kid from Marshall committed and that seemed to go completely under the radar for everybody.

Eric Hansen

12:46

Hi Andrew. It's not just the number, it's the level of involvement. CJ Carr was extremely involved in the formation of his class (2024), and Deuce Knight is among those super-invested in the 2025s. So far 10 of the 15 have committed to paying their own way (some coming from very long distances) to help recruit at Notre Dame's junior day recruiting event on Saturday. Knight, from Mississippi, is included in that group. That speaks volumes.

Andrew from NWI

12:43

How much of an impact will the hot start to 2025 recruiting have on other players ND is targeting?

Eric Hansen

12:43

Hi Bob. Double questions but very concise and to the point. Double gold stars to you. The object of bringing transfer Jordan Clark in from Arizona State was to plug him into that spot. So he's the top candidate going into spring. There's some position flexibility with him and Northwestern transfer Rod Heard II, though I think Heard will be an every-down safety. Clarence Lewis played some nickel last season. Micah Bell is being groomed, but doesn't yet have the physicality to go along with his elite speed. ... I have not watched much film on Ko'o Kia, but really think he's underrated as a three-star prospect. In general, I think Hawaii prospects are underpromised and they overdeliver, time after time, at least the ones who end up at Notre Dame. I know Tom Lemming, who helps pick the Butkus Award candidates and winner, believes Kia will be on the initial list of candidates for the high school version of the award in 2024.

Bob (Oxnard CA)

Double questions today . . . thanks for your patience. Does Ko’o Kia look exceptionally quick/fast to you? (He seems to me to be). Thanks guys.

12:36

Who will start at nickel against A&M?

Eric Hansen

12:36

Analyst roles aren't universal from one year to another, from one program to another, from one position group to another. I believe both Freeman and the Notre Dame administration thinks they have value. But hitting the sweet spot in terms of number of analysts, roles and yes seven budget is a very inexact science. Whatever the situation was in 2022, Notre Dame seems committed to getting Freeman the resources he needs in 2024 to be successful.

12:34

GB!!!! It's always great to have new questioners as well as familiar ones like you. I wondered what had happened to you, so welcome back. By the way, my mom is still teaching yoga and she turns 94 this weekend. ... To your question. I do think you misinterpreted what Marcus Freeman said about analysts. I think what you were referencing goes back to the 2022 season, when Brian Kelly left (as did TEs coach John McNulty) and Tommy Rees was left without an experience sounding board of sorts as a still-young offensive coordinator. There was conjecture that Notre Dame could have brought in David Cutcliffe or someone like that and that Rees was not warm to that idea. Freeman said publicly he would have welcomed that but that it didn't work out. Rees later said publicly he wouldn't have been against it. So why didn't it happen? (more)

GB from Wasilla, Alaska

12:28

Eric, After you and Tyler left the SBT, I did not know where you were on the web. I finally found you sometime during this past season. I am not always available to see the chats live but can follow them online. I did notice you referred to me about a month ago on one of your chats. I hope you and Tyler are doing well. My question is concerning a statement made by Marcus about a year ago (unless I misinterpreted it) about not seeming too interested in hiring analysts. It seems like they are modernizing this thought. If so, is this because of the administration not wanting to spend money and then changing their minds after the Andy Ludwig fiasco or some other reason? Thanks

Eric Hansen

12:27

Keep in mind with the freshmen, ND —especially under Freeman — has had June enrollees make a significant impact too. So most excited and biggest surprise -- I assume you are still talking about only the early enrolled freshmen? I'd say all the players I mentioned early and add in CJ Carr, just because of his potential. Surprise? Gilbert .. and among the June enrollees LB Bodie Kahoun.

12:23

There are 15 early enrollees (I'm assuming freshmen and not transfers), nine on offense and six on defense. Remember, this isn't necessarily about long-term potential as much as college ready meets opportunity meets raw talent. So on offense, I'm going with wide receivers Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert. On defense, I'll go with Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa at linebacker with DE Bryce Young as a sleeper pick. (more)

12:20

Hi Marie. I'm just happy to be on the positive side of zero as far as the thermometer goes. Let's un pack your questions. As far as the players who have to have a breakthrough spring, none of them are absolute locks to start and so I'm doing some projecting here. No. 1 is QB Riley Leonard, who I believe will win the QB competition. I've got an analysis piece posting tomorrow to provide more depth on that one. 2. FIU transfer wide receiver Kris MItchell. Mike Denbrock's offenses are at their best when there's a legit deep threat at the outside field receiver position. Mitchell has the speed and experience to work to develop to become that player. The other three are O-linemen ... and you could put the entire position group here. But I'm going to go with three players I think will start and be important pieces -- OT Aamil Wagner, OT Charles Jagusah and C Ashton Craig. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:11

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week and are staying warm up there. Which five players do you think it is most important have a breakthrough this spring in order for Notre Dame to truly compete for a championship next year? Of the early enrollees in the 2024 class, which player on offense and which player on defense do you think is most likely to see the field next year? Who are you the most excited to see, and who do you think will be a player that surprises all of us? As always, thanks for hosting the chat, and all your great insights.

Eric Hansen

Let's get rolling.

Here are the rules.

12:08

PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question(s).

As far as this week's chat ...

12:07

► Finally, we’re rolling into a busy football offseason at WSBT radio season, and Darin Pritchett and I are together this week Wednesday and Thursday on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. You can download episodes as podcasts.

including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.

12:06

► This week’s Inside ND Sports Podcast will drop on Thursday. On our most recent edition, Northwestern defensive back transfer Rod Heard II joined Tyler James and me. Heard totaled 85 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and four pass breakups as Northwestern’s primary nickelback last season, and will enroll at Notre Dame in June but spend the spring semester in South Bend finishing his Northwestern academic requirements remotely. Heard discussed why he entered the transfer portal, his decision to transfer to Notre Dame, his final season at Northwestern, why he's confident in playing safety after excelling at nickelback, his impression of safeties coach Chris O'Leary, his past with head coach Marcus Freeman, his connections to Notre Dame, how difficult it was to pass on picking Michigan, the roles Notre Dame's offense and NIL played in his decision and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform includ

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