JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 12, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 12, 2025

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Sean, Schaumburg, IL

1:35

Another solid FNS. I agree that the QB situation, D line creating pressure and the WRs are the three most important elements to get back to the Title game. A QBs best friend is a solid O line and running game. It is concerning that the '26 recruiting class hasn't seen the bump we all expected from the Title game appearance. You guys were great in pointing out how critical the recruiting personnel are to the whole operation of recruiting. The turnover in the personnel dept. Bowden going to our biggest rival. It was tough to swallow as fans. Tough schedule in the first two months. The O line and QB MUST be in sync by game 1. Working into form won't be acceptable this year. How does Rudolph and Guidugli expedite the process of getting them in sync? Any TEs you think may enter the portal? Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

1:35

Well James, thank you. That was the easiest post of the day so far ... and much appreciated.

James

Placitas, New Mexico

1:34

Not sure we have ever fully expressed our gratitude for the Season that never seemed to end, you were tireless, even tempered and patient with all of us and you made good on your Dinner with Marie !

Eric Hansen

1:33

Hey Joe, thanks for helping to keep them going through the break between the CFP and spring with your presence and questions. Chris Ash talked about rugby tackling in his introductory press conference. I'm going to give you a link to a YouTube video of Urban Meyer explaining it, which will give you the "why" and the mechanics of it better than I can in this forum. Chris Ash worked for Urban a couple of times and recommended him to Marcus for this job, so I think it's fitting. Here's the LINK.

Joe H from Williams Bay Wi

1:30

Hi Eric Thanks for keeping us updated on all things Notre Dame football Although perfectly understandable it was sad to see Coach Golden leave He was so instrumental in our defensive success the past few years with his schemes and ingame adjustments.One thing that I felt he did was also improve our team tackling I hear that is also one of the strengths of our new DC Chris Ash I am hearing that Coach Ash employs the “Rugby “tackling technique Could you explain what exactly that is and do we already use it

Eric Hansen

1:28

To your second question, it's more art than science, I suppose. I count on my observations A LOT, and I trust those, But interviews with coach and players give me a lot of valuable context. I also have four decades experience of watching spring practice, so I can rely on those experiences to help me put things in perspective. But again. And from a team/collective standpoint. I'm looking for things like ... are the deficiencies/challenges fixable or is there a dead end here? Things like that.

1:25

Hi Pat. I answered the make-or-break part a little big with Marie, but let me dig deeper on that concept. I don't think it's a one-size fits all template. It varies from player to player, year to year, school to school, situation to situation. And I think sometimes people who don't change a lot in their lives at a more advanced age forget how pliable kids are at that age and how ambitious and determined they can be to grow. But I do think there are windows of opportunity, because of depth charts and numbers, and players need to be ready to take advantage of those opportunities. Teams do too. (more)

Pat, Philadelphia

1:19

Thanks for the chats. Thinking about thr sophomore WRs (and Larsen) and the junior DTs. 1) Do you subscribe to the theory of a "make-or-break" period in a players career where if they can't break through "now", it likely won't happen for them. 2) Since we don't have playing time or stats available for the spring, what qualitative data points, either through your own viewpoint or in talking to coaches (on or off the record), do you like to use when assessing progress over the spring.

Eric Hansen

1:17

Still hiring. Some are in house. Some will come from the outside.

Dan, Vernon Hills Il

1:16

I enjoy the chats Eric. Thanks for doing them.
Is Notre Dame’s recruiting office at full strength or do they still have to replace some people who left after the season? Also, are most of these replacements in house or from outside?

Eric Hansen

1:16

The tight end room has some make-or-break element to all three of the guys who are on campus and healthy this spring. Eli Raridon, Kevin Bauman and Jack Larsen, and for different reasons. But big springs for them. Big spring for DT Brenan Vernon. This is his proving time. Preston Zinter at linebacker. Is there a window for him? Does he change positions? Maybe someone like Ben Minich with all the young safety talent around him. Can he make a move or does he get jumped over by younger players?

1:11

Make or break is probably more dire of a label that I'd put these guys in. But there are players who have to ask themselves, if not now, when. And there are others, I'd put in the category of huge opportunity where the window is open wider than it ever has been or will be in the future. For me, let's look at that category and the three sophomores-to-be at wide receiver have a huge opportunity to push into the rotation. That's Logan Saldate, Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert. And I would not be surprised if all three were able to do that. I would be shocked if just one did. (more)

1:08

Hi Marie, and thank you for being here. I addressed some of your recruiting questions, but let's go first and clean that up and then go back to the question about make-or-break springs. I don't think Notre Dame needs to reshape it's recruiting calendar from an official visit standpoint. I like the unofficials in March/April and the officials in June. You can always make exceptions, but I think from a weather standpoint, from kids being able to travel longer distances and spend the time, from the attention they get from the coaching staff, I like the June officials. As far as worrying, you know more football than most of us, and you know how much things can change. And there's noting happening now that would provide a dead end to that more positive trajectory. Again, lots of work and time to catch up. And doable. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

1:00

Hi Eric, thanks for hosting the chat this week. I hope you’re doing great. Can you name a couple of players that you think this spring practice session will make or break? Changing topics to recruiting, I know there was a lot of staff turnover, but do you think Notre Dame could have done a better job in recruiting in the time since the National championship run? it feels like ND is currently being lapped by both USC and Clemson, I believe these teams do official visits in the spring and Notre Dame does not, do you think that ND will consider making changes to the traditional recruiting schedule? Are you concerned about this recruiting class or is it too early to be worried? Thanks for keeping these chats going during the off-season. I know everybody really appreciates it.

Eric Hansen

12:59

Jim. It's still going to look like who's on first, because they are not finished yet. The most pivotal hire was GM Mike Martin. He'll report to Marcus Freeman and not the other way around like it works mostly in the NFL. Carter Auman has been elevated to director of recruiting. Because of the anticipated changes coming to the college football revenue model, the roles will evolve a lot in the next year or so. But as soon as the carousel stops and all hires have been made, we'll do a tutorial that lays out what you asked about. Great idea.

Jim from Springfield IL

12:53

ND has made some significant (and expensive) football administrative hires since the season ended. Can you explain who they report to and their roles and responsibilities? From the outside it feels like "Who's on First".

Eric Hansen

12:53

It's a snapshot, not a crystal ball. It's March. Signing Day is nine months away. Does ND have work to do? Yes. Does USC have momentum? Yes. Is it time to get into a fetal position? C'mon now. Notre Dame hired a new GM in Mike Martin. Unofficial visits are coming up during spring football and officials in June. Let's wait until the end of June to get a better feel on where this is headed.

12:51

So I don't think you'll see them just pick on Notre Dame ... and if that were the case, don't you think at some point, that's going to become off-putting. Think about the Indiana coach, Curt Cignetti. Really good X's and O's guy whose act is going to get old quick if he doesn't refine it a bit. 2. There were a lot of missing pieces in this offseason, No GM for a while, director of player personnel followed Chad to USC, Caleb Davis -- director of recruiting -- gets a GM job at San Diego State. New defensive coordinator. So the new people aren't necessarily inferior or superior. They didn't exist for a while. Ohio State has had turnover with both coordinators. The Buckeyes are currently 15th, Georgia is 16th, Alabama is 37th, Michigan is 43rd in the team recruiting rankings. ND is 7th (more).

12:43

Aaron. Thank you for keeping it to 16 parts or fewer. To part 1, no I don't think there was a falling out. In my dealings with Chad Bowden, he is an ULTRA, ULTRA competitive dude. I could see one day when he has kids doing a celebration dance and trash talking during a game of Candyland or Hungry Hungry Hippo. I also think Chad is kind of finding his way with public speaking. He comes off maybe brasher, less polished that he eventually will be with it. But he's being paid a lot of money in his new position and maybe needs to justify that too. (more)

Aaron, Washington DC

12:38

Hey Eric, thanks for today's chat. A couple questions but definitely not 17 parts. Was there a falling out between Chad Bowden and Coach Freeman? Freeman always spoke very well of Bowden however Bowden seems to be taking repeated shots since his departure (referring to Lincoln Riley as the best coach and recruiter he's ever been around, saying that ND tried to keep him but he wanted to be at USC more, the video trolling ND yesterday, etc.). The timing, frequency, and targeting nature cannot be a coincidence. Part 2: ND's recruiting seems to be lagging right now - is the new staff inferior to the previous staff that have left? Should we be concerned that several key individuals from the personnel department are all at USC now? I appreciate your insights.

Eric Hansen

12:37

As far as who's the left tackle, they do have 15 games to grade Anthonie Knapp on. This spring will give them a nice gauge on where Charles Jagusah stands and Guerby Lambert. I think they'll also get to look at some of the young tackles and see if any of them fit inside and where you want Sullivan Absher to play and how much progress has Peter Jones played and is Joe Otting a viable backup center? So lots of work can get done. As far as Bettis, I think safety might be his best position, but he really has a lot of quality numbers to deal with there and there is a clearer path to playing time now at the boundary receiver. And thanks for your great questions and compliments!

12:31

Hi Tom. I don't think this spring is wildly different from previous springs when it comes to players completely out and limited, but it is different in having a group of players maybe missing contact periods here or there to account from their high usage in the season and playoff run. And I do think there's quite a bit that can be accomplished. Remember spring is not to form conclusions, but to get impressions ... impressions you can use to evolve your team in the summer and then draw you conclusions in fall camp. And when was the last time ND had an announced starter by the end of spring unless there was an incumbent, like Ian Book? (more)

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

12:21

Hey Eric, thank you so much for making time in your hectic schedule to talk to us Chatters!! We really appreciate it. With so many partial participants in spring ball, for a variety of reasons, what do you really think the coaches will be able to accomplish?? I am not sure that they will be any closer to a QB decision at the end of spring than they are today. Do you really think that there is enough practice time with the key players to figure out who will be best suited to play OG or OT when fall camp starts??? What players do you think may be evaluated in spring for a potential position change in the fall? I'm thinking Bettis may have a better chance to help the team and get on the field at safety rather than WR. What do you think?? Thanks again for the Chat, have a great week and Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

12:20

Hi Ced. I just said my wide receiver surprise, so let me give you a couple of safeties. With Va Tech transfer Jalen Stroman out for spring, it opens up some opportunities for more of the young safeties to gain reps. As far as surprises (Luke Talich, for instance is NOT a surprise), I'll go with Tae Johnson and JaDon Blair.

Guest

12:19

ced walker Saginaw Michigan aka sagnasty Saginaw pride who u think will be the big surprise at wr , free safety and strong safety in spring practice god bless this football team 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

12:18

So, any intriguing prospect. ... Will Pauling, the Wisconsin transfer who will be limited in the spring as he gets healthy, can play inside or outside. My sense is he'll settle in the slot with Jaden Greathouse, but he's an option. I like the possibilities, but they have to hit on a couple of them. So better. Give me a couple of weeks or so, and let's revisit this question.

12:17

I do like the options, but there's unknowns about all of them. Jordan Faison is the most-known quantity, but will all the mileage he puts on his tires as a front-line player for men's lacrosse, can he stay healthy in the fall? KK Smith has Will Fuller-type speed, but hasn't been able to translate that into consistent performances or playing time. Cam Williams is a freak with high recruiting pedigree. HUGE spring for him. Smart enough, athletic enough to make a move, but will he? He's my pick to surprise this spring. Elijah Burress is the best of the incoming freshman receivers and Scrap Richardson is a track-speed guy who played DB and QB in high school (more).

12:13

Hi Bob. I love the simplicity of the presentation of this question and the complexity of the context that needs to accompany the answer. I hope I can provide it. The short answer is maybe, but I would say more accurately ... they will more than last year. And eventually the answer needs to be significantly more than last year. In the Denbrock offense, a receiver the caliber of say, Will Fuller, opens up so much more of the entire offense, because it puts opposing defensive coordinators kind of in pick-your-poison mode. Last year, it was, "this is pretty non-toxic" mode. (more)

Bob (Oxnard, CA)

12:10

Do you expect defenses to fear our field receiver this year?

Eric Hansen

OK, enough blather, off we go ...

12:08

And thanks for the great participation level. You all are the reason I kept these going weekly through the offseason, because the question portal floweth over.

12:07

There are a bunch of women's basketball questions in the queue, and they are welcome. But I'll answer them later int the chat to keep the flow going for each sport.

Because the weather is so nice, the only rule I will enforce today is the "No spitting" rule.

12:06

PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question(s).

As far as this week's chat ...

12:05

► Finally, at WSBT Sports Radio 96.1, we’re rolling through a heavy news cycle in the run-up to Notre Dame spring football practice. Darin Pritchett and I are together this week on Wednesday and Thursday, and each week moving forward on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. You can download all episodes as podcasts.

► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, the show keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation, so you can catch up now or later on YouTube. We’re back in our normal Monday night spot for the live presentation early this week and next.

12:04

However, since I'll have practice viewing and/or player/coach interviews every Wednesday during the spring, we won't do the chats on Wednesday for the next month or so. Likely on Thursdays, but we'll have to move them around from week to week based on what the women's basketball team is doing, because I cover that team as well.

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