JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Jan. 21, 2026

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | Jan. 21, 2026

Eric Hansen

3:15

OK, that's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all again next Wednesday at noon ET/

3:14

Cleaned out the queue today. Last question .... 1) Who is my top candidates to handle the nickel position ... and it matters a lot when ND plays Miami. (I forgot that in an earlier question). 2. I'd want to figure out Charles Jagusah's situation. When will he be back and where best does he fit when he does come back? 3. I'd want to know where the pass rush stands and if there needs to be some schematic or personnel tweaks in the offseason to make it even better.

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

3:09

Eric, what are the top 3 questions you would like to have answered by the end of Spring ball?????? Please rank them in order of importance. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

3:09

Damien, my question to you is if I knock it out of the park on this, do I get paid as a coach? Unfortunately, I'm not sure I understand the question ... as it applies to the 2026 team? In general? Am i supposed to pick something different than what Marcus Freeman's doing? Because that would be my answer. Do what that guy is doing.

Damian Becker

3:07

If you were the head coach of Notre Dame, what would be the three most important developments you would want to see and the three most important objectives you would want to achieve and why?

Eric Hansen

3:07

3) Marcus Freeman has already started that process, and I'm sure it will continue over the weeks and months to come.

3:06

As far as Joe Rudolph, I think he's good for Notre Dame. I like the way he coaches. I like how he's been able to cobble together lines around injuries. The next step is producing an elite line, and I think this could be the year. We'll see. In assessing line coaches, I lean into people who's expertise I respect. And Aaron Taylor, who's one of the most knowledgeable O-line guys around, was on our podcast and raved about Joe after spending time with him last offseason. (more)

3:03

2) When you say ND commentator, I have no idea of that's someone with O-line expertise or a blogger who heard it from his brother's cousin's wife's hairdresser's pet groomer's chiropractor and posted on your uncle's Facebook page. So let's take him or her out of the question. Wouldn't it be a natural progression that a fifth-year senior who gained valuable starting experience in 2024 and who is as driven as Pat Coogan is, actually be a better player in 2025, no matter where he was playing? (more)

3:00

Adam, thanks for being the multiple-part question man and yet never coming close to the forbidden 17-part question territory!! 1) Wau too early. And while those can be fun tidbits to share, sometimes they are very relevant and sometimes almost completely irrelevant. I can remember kind of falling into that trap with a freshman and he never really made an impact in a game at ND. Not that year. Not the next. I can remember workout warriors who were not able to translate that onto the field. Where I find that reporting most helpful in sharing is when you see someone make a big jump in the spring and then you backtrack to gains they made in winter workouts. That makes the most sense to me. (more)

Adam (Dayton, OH)

2:53

Eric, thank you as always for being the man! Can't believe another season is over. A few questions: 1.) Are there any reports of guys that could be breakout players/guys making massive jumps in winter workouts yet? (Understand if it is too soon for those kind of reports.) 2.) Heard an opinion from an ND commentator...his thought that Pat Coogan was a bigger and better player at Indiana...that it was a result of coaching/development there. The sense I got was that he is not super impressed by the job Joe Rudolph has done with the offensive line. What do you think of the job Joe Rudolph has done so far with the offensive line and what do you see in the future for that position group? Related, how good do you think this coaching staff is overall, and is there a coach or coaches on it that have the most to prove? 3.) Do you know if Marcus Freeman has done the self-evaluation and has an improvement plan in place for Notre Dame to "leave no doubt" in the upcoming year?

Eric Hansen

2:53

Hi Tony. I can't say conclusively that isn't a factor at all, but I seriously doubt it. For one, most of the 'nos' in the past have come from admissions/the deans, though there have been a few cases where there was a yes, but the player made the decision not to come. And Marcus Freeman made sure to give credit to the admissions folks for the change. And keep in mind, those players are committing to and will be held to doing the work and competing in the classroom. That's my read on it.

Tony, Lake Mary, FL

2:48

Hi Eric, with the transfer portal additions of underclassman a big story line, there could be another angle to the reason for it other than the administration allowing it. Is any part of the paradigm shift caused by players beung willing to care less about academic credits transferring because of the revenue sharing? I.e. they care less about whether or not they get the degree before eligibility expires. For instance, the administration has says yeah you can come but you are still going to have to redo a lot of your freshman year, and the player says "ok"? This would take some of the luster off of academic pedestal we fans like to put ND on, so mixed feelings on, if so.

Eric Hansen

2:48

Ced, we'll give you all the injury news once we get a little closer to the start of spring practice. I promise. I believe we'll have a chance to talk to both the players you reference, sometime in February. So the wait might not be as along as I first suggested.

ced

2:47

ced walker Saginaw Michigan aka sagnasty Saginaw pride I don't know which player injured Quincy porter or mylan graham will they be ready for spring practice God Bless This Football Team 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

2:47

Hi Tom. There are plenty of discussions and movement toward that. It doesn't feel like we're close to finality, though, on getting something done. That's the short answer.

Tom in Evanston

2:46

Hi Eric. I find myself intensely disliking where college football is going. A common refrain is that Congress needs to step in. Is there any actual activity?

Eric Hansen

2:45

Roger, are you auditioning for my job? Because it might be working! There's actually 66 of us on the AP voting panel, but maybe 62 were lucid when we voted?

Roger from Peoria

2:43

Eric: Thumbs up for the "Hoo, Hoo, Hoo, Hoosiers". Was an exciting Championship Game. Next day AP Top 25 comes out with 'Bama at #9 and the Irish at #10. Good to see the Irish in the top 10, but behind "Bama??? 'Bama lost 4 by a total of 72 points with one of the losses to a team not even sniffing the Top 25. Irish lose 2 by a total of 4 points to teams finishing #2 and #8. Of course, I overlook the powerful SEC. But their bowl record this year was 4-10! How could 62 sportswriters, a majority of whom had to have 'Bama in front of the Itish or a few of whom had to have the Irish way down the list create this top 25? My error! It must be the "A" in "AP" must be for Alabama!!!!!. Oh well, on to 2026 and GO IRISH!! And "Leave No Doubt"!!

Eric Hansen

2:42

Bill!!! I'm to dense to know if there's an answer should have read between the lines. So, I'm going to go with incompetence?

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:41

Hi Eric!!! Should we make anything of the NCAA waiting till the end or nearly the end of the transfer portal to announce/ grant Onye an additional year?

Eric Hansen

2:41

Answer 1) The recovery timelines of Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Charles Jagusah; the overall development of the O-line ... the viability of the backup QBs ... those to me are the biggest questions off the top of my head. 2) I am high on both of those freshmen, but am more bullish on Jarrard. 3) I would put Jagusah at tackle. I like Knapp inside more. I would put Black at either guard. I think he's ready and he's THAT good. Matty Augustine is a name to remember at tackle for down the road. Thank you!

Just kidding ,,, here goes ...

2:33

Scott, you'll get nothing an like it!!!!

Scott, Greenville SC

2:32

ERIC!!!! That was one colorful shirt on FNS. I really wanted to say, "this is the worst lookin shirt I've ever saw. You buy a shirt like that I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh? Oh, looks good on you though." But you made it work. Now, for the question (s). What areas do you feel ND still have some questions going forward? If Carr has a great season, and we all hope he does, do you see a starter in either of the two incoming freshmen for the '27 season? I cant see Carr staying another year, especially if he looks like a top 5 pick. Finally, will Jagusah play left tackle or guard; and will Black start at right guard? Love reading your articles Eric. Always insightful! Be safe and all the best to you!

Eric Hansen

2:31

As far as the AP vote, I don't consult with the other voters, so I don't know their thinking. The coaches poll did the same thing (ND was actually lower). They may have felt by not making the playoff, ND needed to be lower. Or they were punishing the Irish for not playing in a bowl game. Hard to tell. I had ND ahead of Alabama on my ballot and all of our ballots are public. ... You are right college football is much different these days and not all of the changes are for the better.

2:29

Hi Mark. Let's unpack your questions. We aren't (yet) getting re-pelted by snow and the really bad storm coming up this weekend is supposed to go well south of us. As far as the cold? Yikes. As far as Carson Beck, and went back and read some of the stories on his answers, and none of them were very clear and that's more on Carson. But what I am taking a guess at, is that he was either taking grad classes or non-degree-seeking classes in the fall, which is allowed, and then was not taking any in spring semester, which is pretty standard for players who will be training for the NFL Draft. So, I'm not sure -- without drilling down myself -- if this is a misunderstanding or something to get mad about. (more)

Guest

2:25

Hi Eric, Mark from T-ville NJ. Hope you are staying warm as the winter weather is dumping havoc throughout the midwest and heading east. Help me out, how does Carson Beck play football for the U without having classes? Never heard of such a thing. When did the University and or the NCAA approve no class requirement? How does the AP post rankings have Alabama rank higher than ND? Bama had 4 defeats!!!! College football is much different these days! Thanks again for your time and chats.

Eric Hansen

2:24

Kevin :)!!!!! You're in luck. I wrote about that very subject on Tuesday: Lessons learned and affirmed by Notre Dame football from Indiana’s title run
So if you want more depth that what I can provide in the chat, there's a whole article on it. But to answer your question succinctly, what Indiana did and what Notre Dame is doing are really very close in many, many ways. Kind of going back to Marie's question, you could make a strong case that ND had a great chance to finish in the Final Four this postseason had they been seeded 10th in the field.

Kevin-Sleepy Eye, MN

2:18

Eric:):):):) MF's question everything approach; what can he learn from IU? Was their culture more impactful than scheme?

Eric Hansen

2:17

Ed, I love that. Can I steal that line? Or bribe you for it? As far as Pete Bevacqua, I learned a lot about his skill set and his evolution in the job this summer when a handful of us had a chance to ask him questions both on the record and off it. Way more to him than TV acumen, which is important. How he handles ND's commitment to football and facilitates that amid massive changes in the sport is impressive. I think there are three areas to keep an eye on that I anticipate him doing well with: 1) Where the ACC relationship goes from here. 2) How strong his voice is in the future CFP formats. 3) How much he's able to help Congress get involved where it's needed in college sports.

Ed from Sayville

2:08

Hi Eric. Thank you for picking so many interesting topics to write about during this rapidly changing period of time in college sports. I would say you are “leaving no doubt” in that area. Do you have any insights into how Pete Bevaqua is evolving in his challenging position? Is he building a resume that shows versatility beyond the strengths he brought from his network television days? If so, how so. Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:08

HI Matt. I am not making those kinds of predictions in January. I have rescinded the no drinking rule for you all. That doesn't apply to me. But if ND is in the national title conversation, it's likely that CJ Carr would be deep into the Heisman conversation as well. A far as women's hoops, let me take on a couple of the parts of your multi-parter, UConn is crushing everyone. They beat an Iowa team, currently ranked No. 10, 90-64 and No. 12 Ohio State 100-68. While this Irish team is not going to contend for a Final Four berth or an ACC regular-season title, as of yesterday they still were projected as an 8 seed in the NCAA Tourney. Are there issues and problems, yep. But if Hannah Hidalgo is on next year's roster and they surround her with talent and depth, this could be a pretty formidable team next season.

Matt from Austin

1:54

Hi Eric. Two different questions. Do you think Notre Dame WILL win the national championship next season and will CJ Carr win the Heisman Trophy? Secondly, and more pressing, I watched the ND v. UConn game and we looked totally lost. Has ND peaked and a longer term slide is coming? Hidalgo is great, but there doesn't seem to be enough support, especially on the front line. Is Coach Ivey's job being discussed privately and do you see any answers for the second half of the season? Thanks, Matt

Eric Hansen

1:54

Al. You know better, but I love your enthusiasm. Look at how good Indiana was and they had to scratch and claw for 60 minutes, and Miami had a chance to win it at the end. So, take nothing for granted. That said, you have every right to be optimistic about ND's chances next season.

Al from Philly

1:52

Can anything other than an injury to Carr prevent ND from going 12-0 next year?

Eric Hansen

1:52

Well, Dave, I would say no one playing should be my age, but if they can get away with it and have remaining eligibility, more power to the,. I still play basketball on occasion after taking a long break with it (though not collegiately). I would NOT want to see an age limit. There have been players who had military obligations who came back to the sport who were older, and I think that's very cool. I think Eric Goins was 30 years old when he transferred into ND as a kicker after initially playing at The Citadel and then doing military service. Now, some of these basketball players who have played in the pros and are suing to come back and play in college, I'm against that.

Dave Porter

1:48

Toms River NJ. Should there be an age limit in CFB? If so what should it be?

Eric Hansen

1:48

Hi there Ryan. Jordan Faison did have an outstanding season, and I think not doing lacrosse double duty this year will benefit him mentally and physically. ... Now his brother, Dylan, will play both and he is focusing more on lacrosse this spring than football. Of the two freshman WRs you mentioned, both of whom redshirted in 2025, I would expect Elijah Burress to have a better chance than Bettis to push toward a spot in the wide receiver rotation.

Ryan Frankfort Illinois

1:45

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the season Jordan Fasion had i think he had a good season I’m excited to see his brother play also will Jerome Bettis Jr or eljah burress see more playing time during the football Season GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

1:43

The good news in recruiting is that there's been a re-emphasis on building through hs recruiting and ND signed the No. 2 recruiting class in November with five players. They are in very good position with the elite 2027 prospects. And if the realigned transfer portal policies extend beyond football, WBB can pick up a transfer or two in the spring from a much deeper pool of players.

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