JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | January 15, 2026

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | January 15, 2026

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Rob M from Pittsburgh

2:10

Where would you rank Armel Mukam in relation to the other DT's ND has been linked with in the portal so far (Brewu, Lockett, Gilliam, Christensen, and Smith from Alabama)? Also how do you see the additions of the two CBs impacting Christian Gray's playing time and role in the defense?

Eric Hansen

2:10

With Charlie Partridge on board as the DL coach, that gives Mickens another opportunity to really expand his skill set by being in those meetings. 2) I can't speak for all schools and agents, but many agents are really good about helping players invest, manage money. And I know Notre Dame does a great job of doing that as well. That doesn't make it idiot-proof, but it does matter. 3) Being called a lively minx in my own chat just might be the new career highlight! If I could Door Dash you your favorite beverage (is that even a thing?), I would. WELL PLAYED.

2:05

Jordan!!!!! Thank you for being here. We've got a massive live following today. 1) I think if there right DC job came up, Mike Mickens would consider it. I don't think that will happen yet in this coaching carousel spin. And for Mike, I think the money isn't an issue. He's paid like a top position coach in the country should be. It's continuing to evolve beyond the knowledge of the back end of the defense, so that he can thrive as a coordinator the way he does as a position coach. (more)

Jordan, from Seattle

2:02

Eric!!!!! Thank you for continuing these chats in the offseason. A couple of questions: 1) Do you hear any rumblings about Mickens - staying or going; role changing, staying the same? 2) i know what i was like at 19 and 21 and if I had $1M or even $100K i dont imagine i wouldve stayed out of trouble. Im surprised- both at ND and nationally- we havent heard more college athletes getting into trouble either with how they spend their money or from the byproducts of having money. Do you have any sense as to what is keeping these young millionaires on the straight and narrow? Thanks for providing your insights in a funny, interesting manner. You always make me laugh out loud at least once per chat, you lively minx.

Eric Hansen

2:02

That would be an instance where I'm putting Leonard Moore on him, like with Makai Lemon in the USC game. I think Moore, though, will be the boundary corner in the other games, or at least most of them,

J. Wright

2:00

Hometown - Harrisburg, PA. Question - Which DB lines up opposite Malachi Toney on November 7th?

Eric Hansen

2:00

Where I will back up Marcus Freeman and his PR team, you can't hold a press conference every time something happens or doesn't happen because someone reads a bad take and believes it. But again, I thought yesterday's was very valuable and helpful for me in doing my job and I am grateful for that.

1:57

Hi DR! Let me start with I am very glad Notre Dame had a press conference yesterday. There was so much to discuss and it was much appreciated. And that's the lens I view this through. I am not concerned with whether they own the narrative or not. 1) Even if you have a press conference to announce the sky is blue and you can look up and see it's blue, there will still be people, media and otherwise, who will tell you it's burnt orange. Media literacy is a real challenge for people in the seismic changes in our industry. 2) If there's not a press conference, I feel like it's my job to do strong reporting, share what I know and be man enough to admit what I don't, and have a consistency that will allow people to trust what I am reporting. (more)

DR - Boston

1:49

Hi Eric! Thanks as always for the chats. It seems like the staff deserves a lot of credit for working through a tough start to the portal period and pivoting to prospects to fill needs as some top early targets came off the board. As I zoom out, it feels like ND has missed (or chose to sit out) a few times recently on winning "the narrative". MF's NFL interest, the CFB committee debate, the USC rivalry ending and now the expectations around transfer portal. I thought the ND activity around all these underwhelmed. Would love your thoughts on where you think ND has done well in owning the narrative and where the PR department could improve. I'd also be interested in your take on how much this all actually matters beyond my blood pressure as a fan. Does it impact committee members, recruits, coaches, etc. on any level?

Eric Hansen

1:48

Paul. I didn't forget, but I have to do it when there's more time and less urgency for other topics. If I had asked that yesterday, with all due respect, my contemporaries wouldn't have had to stuff me in a locker. I would have done it for them.

Paul from Arlington VA

1:47

Don't forget to ask Coach Freeman about natural grass in the stadium. I want him to stay and bring back the real stuff!

Eric Hansen

1:46

Hi Jeff. The only grad transfer is Colorado CB DJ McKinney. ... Here was Marcus Freeman's answer about that in the presser on Wednesday:
FREEMAN: “Well, I think we had strategic, intentional conversations with admissions of understanding the landscape of college football has changed. College athletics has changed. And there’s going to be some student-athletes that we have to get admitted into Notre Dame that maybe haven’t graduated. They’ve worked perfectly with our personnel department and with our football program to make sure we can get the right kids admitted.
“I think that was — when you look at the guys that we signed, not all of them were graduates in previous years, that they have been, but I think it’s a credit to our admissions and then to those specific guys that we ended up signing. Like we weren’t looking for a whole bunch of guys. We had to be very strategic, very intentional about our process and who we were targeting.”

Guest

1:45

Jeff from Fort Wayne Appreciate you doing this Eric. Did Notre Dame change their policy on transfers? Are any of the incoming transfers a grad transfer? And one is a true Freshman! Can you tell us any inside info on what led to this decision or policy being changed?

Eric Hansen

1:43

Hi Kevin. That's one reason why you see kickers bounce the ball of the turf as part of the onside kick, to both prevent a fair catch being called and applied and to make the ball bounce unpredictably.

Kevin, Dallas TX

1:42

Hi - love the chats and have a non portal question as I have full confidence in Freeman for the roster! random off-season rules question for you: Fair catch rule/onside kick - if the receiving team on an onside kick, waves their arms for a fair catch, can the kicking team still try to recover the ball or does the fair catch flag nullify that option and the receiving team can essentially let the ball stop and then fall on it? if yes, then teams should do this every time.

Eric Hansen

Not sure either or both are physically ready to challenge for playing time. But they're both on campus and working with Loren Landow already.

1:39

MikeyD. Thank you. I'm telling you very honestly here something personal. I was very optimistic when I, myself, was in the transfer portal this summer. But what it's been like to keep sidekick Tyler James AND add some amazing teammates has been one of the coolest things that has happened in my career. OK, back to real football ... Cam Williams has the size and speed to be great, and it doesn't have to be at the boundary receiver. But it likely will start there. This is a big spring for him, and I think he's ready to meet that challenge. I'll own it if I'm wrong. But there are 14 receivers on the roster and 12 of them have either 3 or 4 years of college eligibility left. I like Logan Saldate and I know the coaching staff likes him. I'm not sure if Mylin Graham ends up outside or inside or both. The Greathouse/Graham combination in the slot could be something to behind. The freshmen who will be in the slot receiver mix are Bubba Frazier and Brayden Robinson. Both have elite speed. (more)

MikeD from Rochester NY

1:32

Hi, Eric, great reporting job by the entire ND On3 team during the portal madness!!!!!!!! It’s hilarious/sad to see so many “fans” posting comments on the message boards that first week demanding to, in essence, tar and feather Mike Martin and his entire staff!! As Yogi said, it ain’t over ‘til it’s over and a little patience and respect by the fanbase would be welcome. I was intrigued by your comment on FNS about Cam Williams being a possibility at Field Receiver. Does he have the speed to “take the top off” the defense? If so, that would be impressive with his size. Is Logan Saldate ready to be #2 at Slot and who are the freshmen who will give him a battle?

Eric Hansen

1:32

Best get for need at the position to me is Francis Brewu. ND needed a plug-and-play DT. Most intrigued about who Keon Keeley can turn into at this stage of his career. Best get to me is Quincy Porter. ... I addressed the QBs and transfers out in an earlier question, so I will save you from getting dangerously close to the 17-part rule! Thanks again!

1:24

Hi Marie. Great week here now that I have a new snowblower! Have to put that to use after the chat. I think spring will be about finding that right combinations in the back end. And Mike Mickens has a great track record for that. Dallas Golden will be in that mix, and he could actually play any of the corner positions. I think the great news is ND has the depth to absorb an injury at the position and still have quality and experience. The better news is ND can roll more quality in and keep players fresh. As far as who the starting nickel will be, I'm predicting a surprise. I also predict ND will take the USC template and be willing to move people around to put Moore on an elite receiver that's not a boundary guy if needed (more).

Marie from Atlanta

1:18

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. I’m sure it is very busy. Thanks for hosting the chat. Now that we have a better idea who is in the room which players do you think Notre Dame will want to try at nickel, and ultimately who do you think the starter will be for the opener? Which portal transfer are you personally most excited about? Which portal transfer do you think was the best get overall and which one was the best get based on need of position? Since the Mercer quarterback is off the board, any thoughts on what ND will do with the QB position? Do you expect any other ND players to transfer out? I think I just got in under the wire on the no 17 part questions rule. Thanks again for hosting the chat and all your great insights.

Eric Hansen

1:17

Tom, I wanted to work in your follow-up, because I reference last night's show in my answer. Here is the link for anyone interested: The Notre Dame Football Show ... I think that's what makes spring so exciting, is that these guys are coming to Notre Dame with such high potential, and yet spring is going to be about work and growing pains and development, which is reality. But I think once we get to the season, it'll be fun to see how much progress has been made. I think we will see impact from that group in 2026. But be ready to see stories (not from me) about overstating and misinterpreting early growing pains in the spring.

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

1:13

Hey Eric, I hope the cold Canadian blast doesn't last too long! The analysis of the guest you and Mike Singer had on your show last night was much more realistic and less enthusiastic about the portal players that the Irish added thus far than us fans are feeling. He seemed to feel that there was a better chance for most of them to help in '27 than this year. Is this an accurate summation? How did you feel about his comments and how would you review the players' possibilities of helping the Irish in 2026??? As always thanks for your insight and your accurate description of where the portal commits were headed. Go Irish!!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:13

Bo!!!!! You are ON your punctuation game. And thanks for the note. Bo's daughters came up with a T-shirt he shared on our Lou Somogyi message board at blueandgold.com that says "No Doubt" which is the unofficial battle cry for 2026. Bo I would be happy to share my turkey let recipe and happy to collect a beer/coffee or both!

Bo from Michiana

1:10

Hey Eric!!!!! Loved the story about Marcus's statement yesterday about NFL interest. And if I follow correctly I agree with you, Marcus wants to be a legend at Notre Dame and I hope he stays to win not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, maybe 5, 6, or 7 Natty's. No real question but I FREELIEVE (another T-shirt idea I have my daughters working on). Happy New Year to you and the family and any recipe for turkey legs would be appreciated!!!!! And I will get you a cup of coffee or mug of beer in the spring! GO IRISH

Eric Hansen

1:10

Hi Jeremy. My sense is Jarrard is the eventual No. 2 and Grubbs will start the season as No. 2 and be a really strong No. 3.

Jeremy from Goshen

1:09

It doesn't sound like ND is going to get a QB to come in and Backup CJ Carr. It also sounds like Grubbs is more highly thought of than Hebert. Is that accurate? Do you think it's realistic for Grubbs to pass Hebert on the depth chart and ready to be the #2 QB and ready to step in and win games if Carr is injured?

Eric Hansen

1:09

Hi John. I think I am understanding your question correctly, but if I miss, please correct me. I don't think having a portal QB as the backup vs. not having one changes the calculus in how many reps the No. 2 quarterback gets if CJ Carr stays healthy all season. What might affect those game reps is if ND's 2026 schedule turns out to have the soft spots it appears to have on paper. But remember, CJ Carr is only a redshirt sophomore and is still an ascending player with room to grow. So they wouldn't put him in bubble wrap because they feel like he's got no more room to grow.

Guest

1:00

John. Villa Park Ca. Thanks for all the great insight. Looks like the team was able to obtain all your identified priorities in the portal. One question. With the lack of a portal qb, do you think that the team will make more of an effort to play the backup qbs next year especially since Carr may not need as many reps since he is in his second year.

Eric Hansen

1:00

Hi Ryan. Let's start with Cooper Flanagan. There is really strong optimism that he'll be ready to go AND be a key contributor in the spring and next season. And that's one reason ND passed on a portal TE. My early projection for the top three TEs on opening night would be James Flanigan, Cooper Flanagan and freshman Ian Premer. Really like the portal class.

Ryan Frankfort Illinois

12:57

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the transfer portal players i think they will all do good especially the defensive linemen and the kicker also Will Cooper Flanagan be ready for Spring ball GO IRISH 🏈🏈☘️☘️💪💪

Eric Hansen

12:56

Hey Lenny, welcome aboard. Yes, they still get all of those things.

Guest

12:55

Hello Eric this is Lenny from margate nj… with athletes receiving NIL money.. do they still recieve scholarships from schools or do they pay their own tuition room and board? Thx

Eric Hansen

12:55

2) Really good question and observation about Keeley. Mike Singer and I had analyst Landon Tangwall on our Notre Dame Football Show on YouTube last night, and his film study pointed out the dilemma. Do you continue to beef him up and play him inside? Or do you get him into the 260s and keep him on the edge? I'd go for that option, lose the weight and keep him on the edge.

12:51

Tom!! Thank you. Can you teach my kids to say that exact phrase? -- Dad, you were right again!!! As far as the class, which is now at 8, lots of potential there. Really love it. But there is work to do. These are less-finishes products in most cases than grad transfers, but the payoff would be incredible, and Notre Dame has such a strong developmental staff. Now do the questions you numbered ... 1) As long as the coaching carousel is spinning, there's always a chance. And we've seen it before. I would be surprised, though, in this cycle. (more)

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

12:41

Hi Eric!!! Well, you were right again!!!! ND finished with a tsunami of talent in the portal in the positions of need and also not just one year grad transfers so they build for the future as well. Your thoughts on the portal additions for 2026 and then 2027??? Watched the 2025 ND Purdue highlights f and our new kicker takes a very straight-on approach to the ball which I believe leads to more consistency. Agree??? 1) With all the NFL job openings should we be concerned about losing any assistants? 2) Is Keeley adjusting to his heavier weight or do you think ND will try to get him to a lower, faster weight?? Went to the IU-Oregon game. It was CRAZY in the building. Not sure how ND would have done versus IU. As always, thanks for great insight. You have the best "sources" in the business. Go Irish!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

12:40

I think it was to hard to thread the needle to find someone who made sense financially, who was willing to be No. 2, experienced enough to win games if CJ Carr got hurt, and was good enough to beat out Blake Hebert, Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jarrard.

12:39

So could there still be departures. Yes, but I am not anticipating them. If so, it's likely that player or players would finish up the spring semester that started Monday and enroll at the new school in June. ... The deadline for underclassmen to file for the NFL Draft was yesterday, by the way. Now did they get what they needed. I would say so, with the debatable exception of backup quarterback. (more)

12:36

Hi exclamation point-less Len. Let's do a little easy/painless math first. ... With the addition of Oregon DT transfer Tionne Gray this morning, Notre Dame has added 8 transfers, and is sitting at 98 scholarship players. If Jason Onye's petition for a sixth year is approved, it'll be 99. Notre Dame's ideal number is 95 and the limit is 105. Marcus does have wiggle room beyond the 95. It just means fewer walk-ons. And if you're going to go all in, this would be the year (more)

Len from the Jersey Shore

12:31

Eric, what a crazy time in college football! A few questions. On both On3 and 247 sports the ND average ranking of transfer players is the highest of any team. It appears so far that ND has added quality to their roster. The portal is not over but my question is if ND is still short of the quantity of players they needed to add in the portal? if so, what is still missing? With the portal haul so far is there a danger of any additional ND players being late entries into the portal?

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