JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 23, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 23, 2025

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Eric Hansen

3:37

OK, we are getting hit with a tsunami of breaking news today, so I need to help Tyler James out and give him a break. There are some great questions left in the queue. Sorry my brain and fingers moved to slow. So here's the deal, thanks to everyone for making the chat great today. And I am NOT going into the transfer portal, so hopefully I can get to all of these next week if you'll be patient with me. So let's do this all over again next Wednesday at noon ET. Thanks again!

3:34

Myliah, thank you. If two QBs leave, I do think Tyler Buchner going back to QB is certainly an option. And his attitude has been whatever the team needs, and he didn't just say it. He lived it this season.

Myliah, El Cerrito, CA

3:33

Eric, thank you for all the fantastic reporting (and videos) this season. It seems almost certain a QB leaves, and quite possibly, two. Do you foresee any scenario where they move Buchner back to the QB room for depth and/or gadget plays? (I think Buchner would’ve been a better option on that ‘fake’ punt play, as he’s good throwing on the run)

Eric Hansen

3:33

Hi Tom and thank you. Jagusah, per Pro Football Focus, was Notre Dame's highest-graded O-lineman in the game. And only Donovan Jackson of Ohio State had a higher grade among OL for both teams. As far as the locker room access ... I wish I had more time to get into this deeper. I did talk about it last night on Football Never Sleeps, so you can listen to my longer answer there. But very quickly, my job was to do my job and I got some valuable interviews in the locker room and all the players I talked to were cooperative and respectful to me. I did see a blowup between Ben Morrison and a reporter, but I don't know what started it and I don't have the full context. Bottom line, something happened and could have been handled better, but I also think this is way overblown and lacking full context.

Tim - STL

3:25

Great coverage and a very exciting past few weeks. Two quick questions. How did Charles Jagusah grade out in the NC? Had read beat writers were restricted during the playoffs from even going onto the field after the games. The press conferences with players were even controlled. How did this one writer get into the losing teams locker room after the game? And have you witnessed any rude behavior from ND players as what was described as "unprofessional"? Take a break and enjoy. You guys were great

Eric Hansen

3:24

ND was in nickel so much of the time, so it really cut down on the snap count for both Sneed (13 plays) and Jaiden Ausberry (15).

Rui from Ossining, NY

3:23

Jaylen Sneed was not shown on TV one time. He had one tackle and a lot of ppl wondering where his needed speed was on defense. Thoughts?

Eric Hansen

3:22

Thanks for adding your hometown ... It's math, it's opportunity and in some cases, there is financial incentive to go elsewhere. And if you have your ND degree ... When ND's plane landed, there were 104 players eligible to be on next season's roster. Even if scholarship limits are raised, finding playing time for 104? And if they are not raised next year, you have to be down to 85 by the time fall-semester classes start. And I understand why fans want those kids to stay, because they're great people in addition to being really good players. Like GREAT people. And with great stories.

Cowboy Mike from Jefferson Ga

3:19

Long time follower and attendee at 1973, 2012 and this year's championship. Sorry to see what is now becoming a boat load of O linemen and Jayden Thomas leaving. At some point, they were all starters so - Why??

Eric Hansen

3:18

The numbers just don't work out unless there were injuries ... Here would have been all the people realistically competing for five spots -- Pendleton, Coogan, Rocco, Jagusah, Schrauth. Wagner, Ashton Craig, Knapp, Guerby Lambert, Sullivan Absher and there's always a surprise ... You can only start five. My guess is it will be Wagner and Jags, Schrauth and Knapp and Craig.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport,PA

Pat good also. Why? Later. I am bummed. Darn it.

3:16

Rocco? Gesus is all I can say. Good player.

Eric Hansen

3:16

As of this moment, he is not in the portal. And I hope you were in the passenger seat when that article came up!

Mike McFadden, Williamsport,PA

3:15

Hi Eric, Yesterday driving down the highway an article popped up from somewhere saying QB Steve Angeli entered the transfer portal after 3 yrs at UND and has 2 years remaining. I get home and cannot find it anywhere. Is this true or false and he changed his mind? Followed all 3 years, he is GOOD. And hate to lose him. We need all 3 QB’s.

Eric Hansen

3:14

And just so you know, your effort to give me a singular exclamation point against your will caused me to pick your question to answer. So it was worth that exertion!

3:13

Jonathan, that's a question that begs for a voluminous answer I don't have the time left to provide, but I love it and maybe I can revisit it in more detail next week. For me quick impressions. I'd like it to stay at 12. And I would change the seeding. Conference champs get in, but no byes automatically. Byes go to the best four teams. Beyond that I need more years of this to really want to tweak much.

Jonathan in Addison, TX

3:11

Hi, Eric. It’s hard to work up to exclamation points after a loss. But I’ll try. What a ride this season was! My question concerns the first real CFB tournament ever. What are the stories that you expect to have lasting power about these four-rounds and the things that worked well, not so well, selections, eliminations, surprises, and the like? Just wondering which impressions stand out the most to you and seem most significant.

Eric Hansen

3:10

Len, I appreciate you. I wish I could have met more of you in person in Atlanta. I had people from the Ohio State side I hadn't seen in 40 years I was not able to carve out time to connect with (and they might be mad at me), but I had an opportunity of a lifetime to cover this playoff run, and I needed to make that a priority. So thanks for the great feedback.

Len from the Jersey Shore

3:09

Eric, wanted to say once more how much I appreciate you and Tyler’s efforts this season. What a memorable ride, made memorable by how close you brought the coaches and players to us.

Eric Hansen

3:08

Ryan, he is really coming on strong and I expect him to be a big part of ND's offense in 2025 and on a more consistent basis than this season. Good call on that.

Ryan Frankfort illinois

3:08

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the season Jaden Greathouse had i think he had a good season he looked good against Penn state and Ohio State GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

3:07

Hi Tom. think all three freshmen -- Logan Saldate, Micah Gilbert and Cam Williams -- have a chance to be in the rotation. Gilbert at the boundary receiver is the farthest along and now has a real opportunity to move up with Thomas and Colzie in the portal.

Tom, Chester, NJ

3:06

What young (freshman) wide receiver has impressed internally and should break out next year or see significant time in the rotation?

Eric Hansen

3:06

And another O-lineman into the portal -- Ty Chan, who is really talented with no clear path to playing time in 2025 at ND.

3:04

OK, this is normally when I need to call it a day, but I will go into OT for just a little.

3:02

Tyler Buchner ... did whatever the team needed ... threw passes to the WRs in practice, caught passes in practice, played scout team QB when the Irish were prepping for Army and Navy, signaled in plays, executed on special teams fakes, and was a valuable sounding board for Riley Leonard. ... S Rod Heard II, got beaten out for a starting position by Adon Shuler and never moped. Was a very good rotation/package player, brought versatility to the defensive backfield, was outstanding on special teams. ... And Max Hurleman, the transfer from Colgate, another strong special teams player.

2:59

Hi Ed. We've tried to sing about the unsung, so it's hard to pull up someone new we have not written or talked about ... because in the traditional sense, there's gobs of them ... all the players who didn't give up on themselves and then shined when the team needed them the most. So let me dig real deep here (I'm stalling to think) ... Ok I came up with four ... Backup safety Luke Talich. Played 168 special teams snaps and was one of the top 10 special teams performers in any role (he played on four different units) in the nation, per Pro Football Focus. He also played very well at safety when he did get opportunities on defense. ... three more ... (more)

Ed from Sayville

2:51

Hi Eric. What a memorable season it was. The coverage from you, Tyler and the team was very comprehensive. As such I feel you are an excellent choice to answer my question. Who, and I would understand more than one, is the unsung hero of this season. Players, coaches and support staff all eligible. Thanks for the coverage of this memorable season!

Eric Hansen

2:51

Hi Sean, we haven't dug into that yet with all the other news to break and chase. But there is an open door for him to return, yet I am not optimistic it will happen.

Sean from NJ

2:50

Greetings Eric! Is there any news (or informed speculation) on Jason Onye's future with the team? The pick-up of Dawson and Hughes via the transfer portal suggests he's out - or that the team wants to manage the risk that he might not return. Your thoughts? Always grateful for your good insights on all things Irish.

Eric Hansen

2:48

Kenny Minchey's biggest strength is his unpredictability for defensive coordinators in freelancing once a play breaks down. ND used him to imitate Caleb Williams as the scout team QB in prepping for the 2023 beatdown of USC ... and Al Golden raved about his potential. He's smart. He has arm talent. But he is raw. In his consistency. In his reads. In his ability to play chess at the line of scrimmage. And that's where there's risk. CJ Carr is more polished by a lot. And he's a year behind him in eligibility. And maybe we should be talking more about him, but I do think CJ Carr will be the No. 1 option.

Jim from Springfield IL

2:39

We have heard a lot about the quaterback competition being between Angeli and Carr. What are Minchey's strengths and weaknesses compared to those two.

Eric Hansen

2:38

As far as the weather for Saturday here ... when the big Junior Day for recruiting is happening ... High of 35 ABOVE, which is 40 degrees warmer than what it was when I walked in the door on Tuesday night. And probably as warm as it is today in some places in the deep south!

2:37

Hey Tom. really enjoyed the evening and I want your secret for looking like you were affiliated with the 77 team and not the 66 team. And thank you for the book ... and the company. ... The Coogan/Rocco news to the portal happened after you submitted your question, so you know the results of that. So now that makes it much more clear about the leading candidates to be starters next season. And just a few minutes ago, as expected, cornerback Benjamin Morrison declared for the NFL Draft. ... Max actually has been coaching the linebackers. So my sense is Mickens is hired, they would get a safeties coach and Mickens would still have his hand in coaching corners. (more)

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

2:28

Hi Eric, I hope that you got back to SB ok. Thank you and Tyler for letting Marie and I join you for dinner while in ATL. Great nite with lots of fun and great stories!! Most of my ND friends share the same feelings. We are disappointed but certainly not disheartened!! Your thoughts on Spindler and Coogan returning? I really hope they return. If Mickens is DC, does Max B move up to LB coach? Big weekend coming up. What's the weather look like?!?! Most people probably don't know how hard you and Tyler work behind the scenes. Thank you very much!!! Now, let's win some recruiting and portal commits. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:27

If there's going to be a freshman surprise at WR, my hunch is Burress. I think Bettis is a boundary guy and Scrap Richardson, whether he's field or boundary, is more of a long-term project. Which brings us to Cam Williams. This is a huge spring for one of the most gifted athletes at the position. It's time this season to translate that into actual WR skill. This could be run to watch. For KK, who's had a run of injuries, it's kind of "if not know, when?" time. And Faison is a stud with his best football ahead of him. But can he continue that growth arc as a star on the lacrosse team?

2:24

Hi Mike. As much fun as it sounds like to have an edible mascot, I think dodging the Pop-Tarts bowl is a win-win, and good for all our our blood sugar. ... So let's focus in on our question: Here are the five who could emerge from that field receiver spot: Jordan Faison, KK Smith, Cam Williams, Elijah Burress and Wisconsin transfer Will Pauling. Let's work backwards here ... Pauling probably is going to be a slot guy, a complement inside to what you get from the physicality you get from Greathouse in the slot. Yet Pauling has position flexibility. (more)

Mike D from Rochester

Sorry, I hit Return accidentally. My question: who will Mike Brown and Mike Denbrock be looking to for that deep downfield threat? Cam Williams? One of the transfer WRs? Spring portal?

2:16

Hi, Eric!!!!!!! Sad that we lost the National Championship game, but still loving the great season the Irish had. Before the start of fall training camp in August that we would have all these injuries, that RJ Oben would not be another JJB, and Kris Mitchell would not be the big downfield threat we hoped, I would have guessed we were headed for the Pop Tarts Bowl at best. Truly an amazing season.

Eric Hansen

2:15

JIm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You and Len are in the running for best punctuation today, and there are some heavy hitters on board. You surprised me with that. I've got some old ND media guides hanging around. If I can find the 1966 one and you want it, it's yours. Just email me. ... To your question, we've hot on Mike Mickens and the DC opening earlier, but I do think the process IS important. And I think Marcus will finesse it well. I think it's important to talk as a staff, for Marcus to talk to Pete Bevacqua, but at the end of the day, I think they will and should land on hiring Mickens.

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