JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat June 12, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat June 12, 2020

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Eric Hansen

1:25

Hi Marie, thanks for your questions. Let's unpack Speights first. Lance Taylor recruited him to Stanford, and injuries have played a part in him not realizing his potential there. He was a prolific back in high school in Texas. ND opted to go with Tony Jones Jr. and Deon McIntosh in that cycle. I think Taylor sees a guy who could be a lead back in a rotation should Armstrong get injured or not perform up to expectations. ...

Marie from Atlanta

1:20

Hi Eric, I hope you are doing well and thanks for having the chat. What do you think Trevor Speights will add to the running back core? His numbers at Stanford were not great, is there some untapped potential there or is there an injury or potential transfer in the running back room, or is the coaching staff just not sold on what they currently have in the room? Since they are over the scholarship number I was surprised they were so anxious to get him. Also with recruiting really taking a hit the past few months, it seems like it will be more important than ever this year to stay on prospects who have already committed elsewhere, with the hope there will be more decommits this year than usual. I get the sense that in past years this is something ND may not have done as well as other programs, what are you thoughts on this and the current recruiting slump? ( with the exception of Coach Mickens). As always thanks for your great insight. Stay safe.

Eric Hansen

1:19

Mike, thank you. I think 2020 will go down as an outlier recruiting cycle nationally, not just at Notre Dame. Analysts also feel there will be a record number of decommitments in this cycle on a national basis, so fasten your seat belt. I think recruiting regionally would be a terrible idea. Sorry. Sixteen of the 22 players in the offensive two-deeps and 18 of 22 in the defensive two-deeps are from outside the Midwest.

Mike-quakertown PA

1:14

hello, I hope all is well with you and your family. I enjoyed reading your article based on coach Kelly's virtual presser. Kelly mentioned that he did not think notre dame was affected more or less than other schools due to the lack of in person recruiting visits. On that topic, Do you think notre dame would benifit from a more regional approach to recruiting instead of a national approach? Should they try to fortify the mid west and the immediate area instead of taking swings at states like Texas and Florida and missing on top level receuits? I know they have made inroads in Georgia, but missing out on a top recruit like shipley when he stayed close to home also illustrates the importance of having strong regional ties. I know this whole situation was impossible to predict, but close ties with regional recruits makes it easier for people to get on campus more regularly under normal circumstances, which would make it easier in unforeseen situations because the recruit has already been on campus. thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:13

I think he and the administration or rightly leaning heavily on the expertise of medical/science professionals. I don't sense he feels that there's any better path.

Tom from Georgia

1:12

Do you believe the virus protocols are pretty much out of Kelly's hands and he will basically salute smartly and carry on? I'm sure there has been some collaboration as there is with academic standards for example. But, I think this is one area where an ND football coach really does have to answer to the higher-ups regardless any misgivings he may have.

Eric Hansen

1:12

Nick, unless there is a change in therapeutics and/or vaccines, I don't see this happening in 2020. Now, the world is changing every day on this front, but I wouldn't plan on a full stadium this year at Notre Dame or any other college campus.

Nick -- Barrington, IL

1:10

Play the games and fill the stands! All attendees must wear a mask at all times within the stadium (campus) environs, especially during the game; also wear a hood in the stadium for protection from the rear. Do you think this has any chance of flying? Thanks for all the chatting.

Eric Hansen

1:09

Dave. Thanks for your kindness and concern. I've kind of tiptoed around (or even avoided) the SportsBeat question in this chat, because I want to be respectful to the station, its economic reality and the tough decisions that came with that. I have answered individual emails about it, but the flow of them is growing weekly, and so to answer in this forum may be best. I was told in late March that sagging ad revenue beyond the SportsBeat show itself, caused by the pandemic, prompted some difficult decisions. I was told the hope/goal would be to bring me back when those conditions improved. I am going to trust those words. ... as far as the grad transfer question, I don't think it sends that distressing message. Younger players still have the opportunity to beat out grad transfers, and they have done so at times in the past. I like the dynamic.

Dave, Granger, IN

1:02

Dave from Granger, IN

Hello Eric. I feel like saying, "I miss you!" Your absence from WSBT Weekday Sportsbeat is killing me. Please tell me this is just an early Vacation for you or a temp change while the show is being done remotely. The other guys are great, but you set the bar pretty high in the Notre Dame coverage world! Now to my question...the staff seems to be getting pretty aggressive in pursuing grad transfers and I am 100% on board with the effort, but do you worry at all that it may be sending a negative message to the freshmen and sophomores in those particular positions? Is there any concern of how this might affect morale or team culture? Could this approach be a detriment to their development?

Eric Hansen

1:02

Sean, this comes up EVERY CHAT. I am sorry that I haven't written it and even sorrier that I promised it. This is going to be the last time I address it until it's done. I did not foresee a global pandemic coming and limiting my access to in-person conversations that would help me put together a fair and thorough story. It needs, above all, to have Brian Kelly's thoughts in it. As much as you'd love to read it and I'd like to write it, it's not my top priority at the moment. A few weeks ago, we didn't even know if we'd have a 2020 season. My priority now is reporting how and what things might look like. Rest assured, I have been gathering info along the way re Michigan. Thank you for your patience.

Sean,GReensboro

12:55

Just waiting out the pandemic and eating the world’s best BBQ and hush puppies .With respect, are we ever going to get the inside story on what happened at last year’s Michigan game fiasco? Or is that story just an urban legend?

Eric Hansen

12:54

I think your view is realistic and spot on, yet I know Notre Dame wants to up its game with virtual recruiting. There is a nationwide trend in this cycle for a lot of kids wanting to stay closer to home, which is one reason why USC's recruiting has surged.

Paul- Fort Worth

12:53

It appears to me the virus has a disproportionate disadvantage to the Irish given coaches are often asking players to come much further from where they grew up than other colleges. The inability to have recruits on campus and sell all the school has to offer is really hurting. I can clearly see why many are opting for good options closer to home despite what I view as a great opportunity in coming to Notre Dame. As a result I feel the job being done by the staff this year is greatly underappreciated. In your opinion, am I looking at this correctly or am I off base?

Eric Hansen

12:53

Ryan thank you. I actually didn't cover THE Ohio State University. I only went to school there and learned to out the word "the" in seemingly unnecessary places. I am familiar with the program enough to answer your question. I think there are some things along those lines ND has put into place to build its own recruiting momentum -- getting Kelly more involved earlier at key junctures and evaluating and getting offers out earlier -- to name a couple. I think getting back to the College Football Playoff would help. This is an oversimplified version of what should be a story we/I do once COVID-19 isn't such a factor in recruiting. ... And Kerry Cooks is back as a defensive analyst.

Ryan from Atlanta

12:47

Hi Eric, first time poster, long time admirer. You have covered Ohio State and Notre Dame. How can Notre Dame start winning battles in the recruiting world against the Buckeyes? Do you see ND making a play to bring back Kerry Cooks?

Eric Hansen

12:46

Bob, thank you. I don't entirely agree with your premise. He closed on Jarrett Patterson late in the 2018 cycle after Quinn's promotion. He brought in a strong five-man class, highlighted by top 70 overall prospect Quinn Carroll, in 2019. In 2020, he signed two top 250 players with big upsides, in Tosh Baker and Michael Carmody. And the anchor in this 2021 class is Blake Fisher, who at No. 22 on Rivals would be the highest-ranked O-lineman to sign with the Irish since Sam Young (11) in 2006. Two other top 100 linemen are still in play this cycle, with many believing Rocco Spindler (No. 56) will end up in this class. Have there been disappointments in this cycle? Yep, but the weird curveball of not being able to stage visits has hurt ND overall across the board. Having said all that, I do think it's important for ND's offensive line, with 5 starters back, to play like a Joe Moore Award finalist in 2020. I don't think it's make or break for Quinn, but I think it sets the table for momentum one way or another.

IrishMcCarthy

12:28

Hi Eric.bob from Pennsylvania.love your work and it’s much appreciated.my question is with coach Quinn after losing out on most of their top Oline recruits and the criticism he’s taken the last couple years of his coaching and again recruiting problems that this could be his last if they don’t preform like a top 5 line in the country and raise his stock as a great oline coach or does Kelly keep him and maybe help him with recruiting somehow?

Eric Hansen

12:28

Now this is me speculating. Brian Kelly didn't go into detail when he chatted with us the other day. As long as you weren't missing all three at the same time, I would say Mike Elston for head coach, Mike Elston for defensive coordinator, and a collaboration at offensive coordinator with Kelly calling plays.

Steve

12:26

Las Vegas, NV. If during the season BK tests positive for Covid, who would be the temporary head coach? Who would fill in if Rees or Lea tested positive?

Eric Hansen

12:26

Thank you. From your options, I would pick defensive backs, though Kyle Hamilton can make up for a lot of growing pains. If I could write in a candidate, I would pick running backs. ... to your special teams question, I think kickoff is the only area I see the importance being minimized.

Tom from Grand Rapids, MI

12:22

Eric, appreciate all the work you put in to keep us informed. Pick your poison or answer both if you choose! Which position group has the most to prove headed into the season? O-line with everyone back: Db’s with 6th year, 2 transfers and the Sophomore stud...OR ....with all the rule changes that have occurred over the years with the kicking game: immediate release on punts and kickoffs moved up will the impact of special teams continue to dwindle in college football?

Eric Hansen

12:21

Even though the Pac-12 has expressed its desire to play non-conference teams, I don't think the full commitment is there. And some of the Pac-12 states are the areas where there are some significant COVID-19 outbreaks currently. Remember, a lot can change (especially for the better) between now and football season. There, for instance, could be effective therapeutics available. Wisconsin is another game that could either be replaced or moved to South Bend. I wrote about some of the schedule uncertainty last week.
https://www.ndinsider.com/football/brian-kelly-weighs-in-on-the-linger...

Frank from st louis

12:17

Any reason to worry that USC and Stanford may not play us this year?

Eric Hansen

12:17

2) Armstrong can still line up in the slot or on the outside as a receiver AS A RUNNING BACK. He gives you playbook and schematic flexibility.
3) I don't think his injuries have necessarily come from being a RB vs. a WR. Certainly the abdominal tear was a freaky injury.
4) He would be the No. 2 option at best in the slot, behind Lawrence Keys III and possibly Avery Davis as well.

12:13

Dave, thanks for the question and the nice sentiments. Safe and sound here. I would not move Jafar, and I don't think the coaching staff will either for a variety of reasons:
1) Despite the injuries, he'll start camp as ND's No. 1 option at running back. And because of the reconfigured schedule, there won't be as much time/opportunity to stage a more open competition. I still think he would prevail -- if healthy.

Dave from Alpha, NJ

12:09

Hi Eric. I hope you’re safe and sound. In addressing both the running back and wide receiver positions, I think the Irish will be best suited if Jafar Armstrong moves to the slot. I truly believe he would be a match up nightmare in the open field, one on one.This would also save him from the constant pounding of being a running back due to his series of nagging injuries. I also believe we have enough young running back’s to distribute the ball for an effective ground game.Do you think this possible switch will be addressed?

Eric Hansen

12:06

Off we go.

12:05

You know the rules: No fighting, drinking, gambling, spitting or bare feet. No 17-part questions. NO MANIFESTOS.

12:02

But you have questions now, and we'll get to them, but first: Please remember to include your name and hometown with your question(s).

12:01

The Irish players have begun to return to campus and will then quarantine before being tested for COVID-19 next week. Voluntary summer workouts are set to begin June 22.

12:00

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat for mid-June.

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