JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 9, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 9, 2020

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Eric Hansen

12:42

Gene, its very difficult to project what might happen vs. Wisconsin, because there are so many unanswered questions . Who's the new OC? Who is being added to the staff? How ready are Michael Mayer, Jordan Johnson and Chris Tyree to being key contributors as freshmen?

Gene in NY

12:40

Eric, thanks for the season of great coverage. Biggest concern this season was whether OC, QB or OL (and coach) had what it took to beat a good defense. Reality is that if any of those three can’t, perhaps team simply won’t. Now OC is moving on and highly ranked QB backup is likely no longer an option. Kelly says that if he thought QB could help the team, he would have played him. That sounds logical, but reality is that the two best seasons for a QB under Kelly are likely Kizer’s and Book’s first seasons - where they both started as the backup! That doesn’t make me feel like the team is definitely moving in the right direction - what do you think the odds are they prove me wrong against Wisconsin? I won’t throw Clemson in the equation, as they’re clearly on a different level with a few other teams.

Eric Hansen

12:39

Jaime, there is reason for optimism for a lot of the reasons you stated. But there are questions. Will Book be better in year 3 than in year 2? Can the offensive line be elite, as in one of the best five in the country? Can Delvaughn Alexander develop a really young but really talented wide receiver group? If all three of those questions are yes and ND can find some answers at cornerback, I think there's reason to be optimistic.

Jaime from Chicago

12:36

All year it was reported how special Kevin Austin was as a receiver. Possibly even the best on a roster with Claypool. With a more experienced O-Line, a more explosive running back room with Tyree, big play potential with Lenzy and Keys, steady TE Play from Tremble, a third year starting QB, and possibly early contributions from Johnson and Mayer... Is it possible we could see the best offense of the Kelly era this year, even with a new OC? I'm a perpetual optimist, but it seems to me the weakest area of this team is cornerback but the rest of the roster can contend for the only thing we care about, a birth in the playoff and national championship.

Eric Hansen

12:35

Mike. I give BK a pass somewhat for December, given he was without his offensive coordinator and he had other priorities, namely visiting his own recruits and making sure they were on board with the new direction of the offense. That paid dividends. TE Michael Mayer admitted he thought about decommitting. Xavier Watts had some pointed questions. That was the right thing to do. He also needed to get his team ready for the bowl game and take on some extra X's and O's duties with Long out of the picture. Having said that, he could have been more involved earlier in the process. And maybe this is a story that will help bring a blind spot to light. I've seen several stories since Carter Karels' came out that claim this has been a long-time problem. If his staff gives him similar feedback, which I feel they will, this needs to be part of his plan to upgrade recruiting that he spoke about just ahead of the Camping World Bowl.

Mike from Cincinnati

12:29

Happy New year! I am curious to get your take on the story last week about BK not engaged with two top recruits. I know it’s easy to say things after the fact, but from what you see does this have any merit?

Eric Hansen

12:29

Bill, we don't cast our votes until IMMEDIATELY after the national championship game. The AP does encourage us to have at least Nos. 4-25 done, so we can get our ballots in quickly. I have Notre Dame at No. 11, and I think they'll end up 11 or 12.

Bill from St Joe, MI

12:27

Eric, where do you think ND will end up in the final AP football poll, and where did you place them? I believe they will unfortunately end up just outside the top 10 in 11th.

Eric Hansen

12:27

Happy New Year, Mike. Let's address your statement first, then get to the question, There's no question there's room to upgrade the talent, and Brian Kelly realizes that, I do think the 2020 class and the still-forming 2021 class are making strides to that end, But remember All-America status is a combination of individual and team success quite often. To your question, who has All-America potential in 2020 on this team? I'd keep my eye on Hamilton and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on defense, and any of the older offensive linemen on offense. There are always surprises. I think Kevin Austin will be an ascending player. I like the defensive ends a lot. I think Jacob Lacey down the road might become a player of national stature. Don't underestimate depth in the playoff run equation. I am not predicting ND to be in the playoff at this juncture, but I think they could evolve into that type of team this offseason.

Mike Campbell, Lemont, IL

12:19

Eric, Love the chats. Happy New year to you! I know the writers and fan base want to make the playoffs and win a title but you need All-Americans on your team. Period. Trevor, Chase, Burrow, etc. In 2018, ND had Love, Tillery, Boykin. In 2012 they had Te'o, Tuitt, Martin. In your opinion who will play like an All-American on the 2020 Team besides Hamilton? I see maybe Liam or Banks. That's not enough to be the best of the best. Nothing wrong with 11-2 or 33-6. I just don't see ND as a playoff team next year. What say you? Also, Is Kelly being stubborn not to bring HH back or something else going on? Thank you, Mike

Eric Hansen

12:18

So I am open to him being the OC and play-caller, but I still think the best-case scenario involves a corresponding hire of a veteran coach, who's a great recruiter and who could collaborate with Rees and the rest of the offensive staff.

12:17

Ron, ultimately as I read it, your question isn't about Phil Jurkovec but who the new offensive coordinator and play-caller should be. My very first thought when Chip Long left was Tommy would be really good in say 2023, but I wasn't sure that was the case for 2020. Also from the start, I felt if ND did go with Rees, the corresponding outside hire to the staff was very important and could make the Rees promotion make more sense. I still feel that way about the second statement. To Rees, himself, my opinion has changed somewhat. I;m more open to it, In talking to people who could evaluate Rees from a coaching standpoint, they were unanimous in their belief that Rees as an offensive mind is a special talent and one advanced for his year of experience.

Ron from Raleigh, NC

12:08

Eric because Phil grew up loving ND it seems strange that he would transfer solely with news of Ian coming back at least until after he shows the new OC that he's better than Ian. Unless the players already know that Tom Rees will be the next OC therefore Phil assumed that nothing would change and Ian would be the starter in 2020. Even though all signs point to Tom getting the OC, I would rather see an experienced OC like Joe Moorehead get the job and let Tom be pass game coord then when the OC leaves in a few years for a HC job Tom will have the experience to be the next OC at that point, what do you think?

Eric Hansen

OK, let's get started.

12:07

One more warning. Among my grandkids, the 4-year-old is testing whether I'll tolerate a tantrum and the 1-year-old is testing whether I'll tolerate biting, so beware I won't be receptive to either on this chat today.

12:05

Please no whining, If you want to vent, please have the courtesy to be creative, amusing or both.

12:04

Please, PLEASE remember to include your name and hometown with your question.

12:03

A review of the rules.