JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 3, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 3, 2024

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Eric Hansen

2:00

Jerry, I appreciate your question. But this is the kind of question that gives me a headache. I'll answer it anyway, because you posed it in such a well-constructed way. I don't think we have any way to answer this at this time, but what I can say is all of these types of dangling details will have to be part of collective bargaining. And I can't imagine this won't come up in terms of how to handle that.

Jerry M.

1:58

Jerry M. from Dallas, Tx. Eric, There is a proposal to make the football players in the NCAA employees of the University. This would have the effect of not letting, you would think, the players decide to opt out of the bowl games, since that would be part of their contract they agree to when they sign up. Right now, when a player commits to Notre Dame, doesn't Notre Dame honor that scholarship even if the player is not playing well? But, once the player is an employee, the normal response of the employer to an employee not doing well is to fire that employee. What happens to the scholarship?

Eric Hansen

1:57

Happy New Year, Rich. The rules are that there is to be no DIRECT contact until players are in the transfer portal. However, many players have some kind of NIL representation. They also have high school coaches, etc. It's pretty easy to work indirectly, and thus legally, without penalty. There are some agents who will openly shop their players, which at this time is unregulated but probably should be.

Rich Key West

1:55

Happy New Year. What are the rules regarding contact with players prior to their declaring for the transfer portal? If there are rules regarding when contact may begin is there any active enforcement of the rules that you are aware of?

Eric Hansen

1:55

So maybe that's a better question for spring, once we see how players are shaking out on the depth chart. To do so now, really takes me out of the realm of projection and into purely clairvoyant skills, of which I'm pretty sure I am lacking. Right now there are 10 WRs on the roster, with the Irish looking to add an 11th. That's not a crazy high number. I believe Heard ND's No. 1 safety target from the portal. I have not had a chance to do reporting on the others you've asked about as of the start of this chat.

1:52

The Tigers were No. 1 in team pass efficiency and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels set an NCAA record in that stat category. They were third in passing offense and 10th in rushing offense. Their 6.18 yards per carry led the nation. Their 34 rushing TDs was fourth. So I would say Denbrock's offense fits Freeman's vision of wanting to do both aspects well and have balance. As far as portal predictions, the portal closed for the winter last night and won't reopen until April 16. That doesn't mean players already in the portal are stuck or that grad transfers can't enter, but underclassmen can't enter for three more months. (more)

1:45

Hi Aaron and thank you. Let's unpack all of this as best I can. It's far easier and more comfortable for me to answer questions about something you read in one of my stories than somewhere else, because I have no idea if the source was legit or someone who has no first-hand knowledge or expertise on what they're writing about. So let's just get to the facts. Mike Denbrock will design his offense around the personnel that exists on the Notre Dame roster and aligns with Marcus Freeman's vision for the program. Pretty simple. As far as what he did this year at LSU in crafting the nation's No. 1 total offense and scoring offense? LSU emphasized both the run and the pass and was elite at both. (more)

Aaron, Washington DC

1:30

Hi Eric, great article on Nilka Mickey and the ND family. I recently read an article (don’t recall where) that described Mike Denbrock as “pass first.” Do you think that’s a true statement? If so, that doesn’t appear to comport with Coach Freeman’s model and the fact that Notre Dame has been most successful when they are very effective running the ball. Do you see Mike Denbrock maintaining a strong focus on the running game? On the personnel side, the wide receiver room seems to be looking good on quality with Thomas, Greathouse, Faison, Colzie and now the additions of Mitchell and Collins (as well as Cam Williams). Do you think there will be further attrition in the portal there if guys are concerned about playing time? Any sense as to whether Notre Dame will pursue Alaka’I Gilman or Daeh McCullough or is Rod Heard II the top target for adding a safety? Thank you for your time

Eric Hansen

1:29

Hi Patrick. I don't think blowouts are a threat to the bowl system. It's participation, or lack thereof. The 12-team playoff format will likely further that challenge. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports published an interesting story on possible answers recently. I can't do a quick summary justice in this chat format, but here's the link if you're interested in checking it out: https://sports.yahoo.com/with-transfers-and-opt-outs-abound-in-college...

Patrick, Fort Wayne, IN

1:23

Good afternoon Eric, I have been trying to figure out who Jeremiyah Love reminds me of when I watch him run. With an extended look during the Sun Bowl, I realized he runs like O.J. Simpson: very quick, upright posture with the ability to make multiple cuts without slowing down. For those of us who remember him as a college and pro running back rather than a notorious celebrity, he was a superstar 50 years ago. Now for a question: With all of the blowout bowl games this year, do you foresee a dramatic re-structuring of bowl season in the next few years that alters the definition of being invited to a bowl?

Eric Hansen

1:20

Just for fun, here are what the oddsmakers are thinking about Notre Dame's and others' chances of winning the national title next season, courtesy of betonline.ag:

Georgia 5/1
Alabama 11/2
Ohio State 7/1
Texas 9/1
Michigan 10/1
LSU 12/1
Oregon 12/1
Ole Miss 14/1
Florida State 18/1
Penn State 25/1
Tennessee 25/1
Notre Dame 28/1
Clemson 30/1
Texas A&M 33/1
USC 33/1
Oklahoma 40/1
Missouri 50/1
Washington 50/1
Kansas State 60/1
Miami Florida 75/1
Utah 75/1
Arizona 100/1
Auburn 100/1
Louisville 100/1
Arkansas 125/1
Florida 125/1
Colorado 150/1
NC State 150/1
Nebraska 150/1
North Carolina 150/1
Texas Tech 150/1
Wisconsin 150/1
Kansas 200/1
Kentucky 200/1
Oklahoma State 200/1
Iowa 250/1
South Carolina 250/1
UCLA 250/1
West Virginia 250/1
Michigan State 300/1
SMU 300/1
TCU 300/1
Iowa State 400/1
James Madison 400/1
Maryland 400/1
UCF 400/1
California 500/1
Liberty 500/1
Mississippi State 500/1
Oregon State 500/1
Virginia Tech 500/1
Baylor 600/1
Cincinnati 600/1
Troy 700/1
Tulane 700/1
Boston College 750/1

1:16

On question 2, given Notre Dame's schedule and the rhythm of it, I think 11-1 is realistic, because I think the defense will be good enough to keep the Irish in every game as the offense grows. I would need to see a lot more of the work and growth happening this offseason before I would think about a 12-0 prediction. Even then, it might take a couple of shots of bourbon to coax that out of me. Having said all of that, I really like the direction the program is taking and what the potential is shaping up to be. (more)

1:13

Hello Ty and welcome to your new job as my agent! If you want to volunteer for that ... sincerely thank you for the kind words. ... To your questions ... 1. I think Mike Denbrock's addition eliminates the urgency of adding a veteran analyst on offense had Gerad Parker remained in the OC role, but I do think Marcus Freeman needs to continue to look at adding (and replacing departing) analysts who can make a difference in Notre Dame's bottom line. And as coaches leave for better opportunities from year to year, he needs to continue his approach of trying to upgrade, not just replace. It appears he now has the financial backing to go get the best. (more)

Ty - Godfrey, IL

1:08

Good morning Eric!! I am a long-time reader and admire the thoroughness of your work. It is reliable, grounded, candidly humorous, and completely trustworthy. The Sun Bowl experience was a complete confidence builder for me when looking into the potential for next year. I have to admit that I am a perpetual glass-half-full supporter of the Irish. I have to admit, I am the same toward the Redbirds this year. Enough said. Q1. It appears the strategic approach toward CMF structuring an organization is coming to fruition (as long as we can hold on to Coach Golden, the king of defense). Do you see any further needed manipulations of the coaching structure to complete the job? Q2. While it is premature to prognosticate, are you as confident toward the potential of a 12-0 or 11-1 as I am? Thank you for making the readers ND news life so interesting.

Eric Hansen

And Happy New Year to you!

the team on Friday morning.

1:07

Hi Sean. I celebrate with you your ability to elude real-life trolling. 1) I think I was on record during the season that it would be less than 50 percent chance that Al Golden sticks in year 3. My colleague, Tyler James, has long been on the other side of the 50/50 line and I have moved over there with him. However, the attractive NFL defensive coordinator jobs that could really tempt him have yet to open. So, let's wait another month or so. I think your assumption is correct about college head coaching jobs. 2. Marcus Freeman and Mike Denbrock never lost touch with each other and texted regularly, like once a week. So it's not like they needed to be reintroduced each other. But I don't think they had a conversation gauging interest in Denbrock's coming back until the day Gerad Parker accepted the HC job at Troy on Dec. 17, which was a Monday, The momentum then built fast and furiously. By Thursday Denbrock knew what he was doing, but Brian Kelly asked him to sleep on it. He then informed BK and (more)

Sean, Portland OR

12:58

That was about the best possible result in the Sun Bowl, all things considering... Game never in doubt, no new injuries, playing time and experience for the younger guys, saved me from a lifetime of local real-life trolling etc.. 2 questions: 1) Do you think the odds are better than 50/50 that Golden stays? I assume at this point it is mostly NFL jobs that may poach him, rather than a college football HC position. 2) How long do you think the backchannels were working to get Denbrock back to ND? Do you think CMF shot him a text early on with something along the lines of "Hey don't sign that extension yet... Gerad is interviewing elsewhere"... Happy new years!

Eric Hansen

12:56

Those guys all have a chance to start in 2025 even if Riley Leonard wins the job in 2024.

Is Marcus Freeman being disloyal by recruiting talents like Kenny Minchey, CJ Carr and Deuce Knight — all Rivals 250 prospects?

12:55

Now, did he bring Riley Leonard in, because he thought the Duke transfer was the best available QB in the transfer portal and has a very good chance to be the No. 1 QB? Absolutely. But he has to prove that to his teammates in spring practice. And Marcus has the track record to back up that the best players play. The MVP of the Sun Bowl was a former walk-on in Jordan Faison. If this was about favoring preconceived notions, Faison never gets on the field. And as far as the brotherhood comment, if you're coming to Notre Dame at any position, you should expect to compete. Steve Angeli too. (more)

12:51

Gene, I get your point — to a point. First, I think you are putting words into Marcus Freeman's mouth that he never uttered. He promised an open QB competition last year between Sam Hartman and Tyler Buchner, and both players got equal reps with the 1s and the 2s. And at the end of spring, everyone knew who No. 1 was, on the field, in the locker room and in the seats in the stadium. That's what he is presenting as the scenario this spring. (more)

Gene in NY

12:48

Hi Eric, Thanks as always for the great coverage. So much to like about the Sun Bowl - great play from essentially second string offense (shout out to OL!), very impressive performance from Angeli, creative play calling, healthy WRs, and great defense. How much of all of it was ND performance or attributable to diluted Oregon St defense? My biggest concern going forward is the rotating portal door for QBs. Coach Freeman talked about ‘brotherhood’ after the game, and now, by all accounts, the QB position is going to be handed to Leonard, despite Angeli’s performance. How is that ‘brotherhood’?!? And that doesn’t take into account that Angeli threw much better passes than I saw Leonard throw in 3 games in addition to ND game! Confusing and disturbing if the job is already his! Your take?

Eric Hansen

12:46

Happy New Year, Ced. Prolific Cal WR Jeremiah Hunter was in and out of the transfer portal very quickly. He's already committed to Washington. Northwestern DB Rod Heard II is visiting Notre Dame Saturday and Sunday. He played CB/nickel for the Wildcats but ND projects him as a safety. Anytime you get a transfer on campus, you have a good shot, but there is competition for Heard.

cederickwalker

12:41

ced walker happy new year great sun bowl victory nd beating oregon st 40-8 finishing the season 10-3 what are nd chances getting transfer wr jeremiah hunter and transfer safety rod heard 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

12:40

Even when there aren't a bunch of WRs in the top 35, there almost always are in the top 100. In 2022, for example, there were only four in the top 35, but 19 in the top 100. In 2016, there were three in the top 35 but 21 in the top 100. The increased use of three- and four-receiver sets probably influences the rankings as well. I'll have to go back over these rankings sometime when I have time to see how accurate they turned out to be.

12:37

Jonathan, thank you -- glad you are minding your peas and queues. ... Yes there are 10 wide receivers in the top 35 prospects in the latest 2024 Rivals Top250. Yes, this is the most top-heavy the WRs have been since Rivals has been doing rankings (since 2002). Typically, there are four or five in the top 35, though the 2025 class currently lists seven, which is on the high side. At least in recent years, Rivals gears its rankings to reflect players who will eventually be drafted. So like the NFL Draft, there's some positional bias. The top running back was No. 51. The top tight end in the class was No. 46 overall. There was one offensive guard in the top 115 in the 2024 class. (More)

Jonathan, Hideaway, TX

12:31

Dear Eric, may your peas—and your peas alone—have black eyes this new year. Here’s a recruiting question that’s been bothering me for awhile. Rivals has Cam Williams rated the #35 overall recruit for 2024 and the #10 WR. I guess that must mean 10 of the top 35 recruits are wide receivers??? That seems absolutely nuts, doesn’t it? Is every year top-heavy on the WRs and this is just the first time I’ve noticed? Are there other positions that frequently get a disproportionate number of high ratings and, correspondingly, other positions that are always lesser? And if so, do you know why?

Eric Hansen

12:26

Greetings Matt, from snow-flurrying South Bend. Don't forget Kenny Minchey in that mix. The future ramifications if Freeman chose someone other than Riley Leonard after the spring competition would be minimal in terms of what you're asking about. The best players should and will play would be the message. And that's also the message that should be clear should Riley Leonard emerge as that No. 1. I think the worst message you could send is that NIL money or another factor decided playing time. And I don't think that will be the case under Freeman at Notre Dame.

Matt from Austin

12:19

Hi Eric, greetings from rainy Austin. I hope you're warm! If Leonard, Carr, and Angeli enter the spring in a QB competition, what would be the future ramifications if Coach Freeman chose someone other than Leonard? I ask this in terms of NIL fund raising and future portal transfer possibilities. Thank you as always for your insight.

Eric Hansen

12:19

I think Notre Dame's wide receiver corps will be improved, but my goodness, Washington's receivers are on another planet. And Notre Dame's offensive line, while playing well in the Sun Bowl, also has a lot of work to be playoff-level good, There is talent. It must be developed. So the bottom line is, I think you're observation is accurate in terms of ceiling ... but the Irish have a lot of work to do to reach or get close to that ceiling.

12:16

Hey Marty. Happy New Year to you as well and thank you. In watching the two College Football Playoff semifinal, I didn't get the sense ND was too far removed from being a 12-team playoff team, which comes next postseason. But I do see the work that would have to be done this offseason for them to not only make the field but also win at least one game in the playoff, if not reach the semis. With Xavier Watts, Rylie Mills, Howard Cross III and Jack Kiser all coming back when they could easily have left, I think the nation's No. 5 team in total defense could be even better next season — given the depth and infusion of young talent. I think Mike Denbrock will make a significant difference as offensive coordinator, and that gives you more margin for error within games during the regular season and in the playoff. But I think where there's work to be done is with the offensive line, WRs and quarterbacks. I think it's possible for ND to be better at QB in 2024. (More)

Guest

12:10

Marty from Sylvania Ohio Happy New Year to you and all ND family. I’m watching teams in CFP and other bowl games and I just don’t see the Irish that far off like maybe in the past. If Mike Denbrock can bring the offense up to the defense then watch out…what are your thoughts Eric?

Eric Hansen

12:09

Let's get rolling.

Here are the rules:

12:08

Please include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question(s).

12:07

As far as this week's chat ...

► Finally, we’re rolling into a busy football offseason at WSBT radio season, and Darin Pritchett and I are together this week on 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.

12:06

► This week’s Inside ND Sports Podcast will drop on Thursday. On our most recent edition, Tyler James and I invited former Notre Dame offensive lineman Bob Morton (2002-06) back onto the podcast. Morton, whose playing career overlapped with new Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock's first coaching stint at ND, discussed Denbrock's impending return, his evolution as a coach, how LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels' example impacts the potential of new Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, the value of Denbrock's experience and familiarity, how he can help ND's other offensive coaches, the financial alignment behind head coach Marcus Freeman, Denbrock's skills as a recruiter, how the Irish have been rolling on all fronts in the last month and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.

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