JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat | March 12, 2026

Notre Dame Football Live Chat | March 12, 2026

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Eric Hansen

1:01

3) Of that last group you mentioned, Mullins played 59 snaps last season and not all of those were mop-up duty. Sevillano slimmed down from 340 to 325 and I think he's ahead of Dixon for now. Sulfsted, up to 270, feels back burner kind of status for now.

12:56

2) Charlie Partridge being new makes this projection a little tougher, because he's not necessarily going to view the players like Al Washington did. And how much will he value a big-body option, like Davion Dixon or Sean Sevillano Jr. against teams where that big nose guard matchup would pay off potentially? Having said all that, I think the most likely players to emerge as a fifth/sixth option will come out of the group of Cole Mullins, Christopher Burgess Jr. and Armel Mukam. I think Mullins and Mukam have the edge early there, but at some point Burgess is going to figure it out and be a big factor.

12:47

Hi Pat, thanks for the compliments and for the questions. There's a lot to unpack here at a position group that upgraded significantly this offseason. 1) I don't know that there's so much concern about practice reps as there is keeping the players lower on the depth chart engaged. The reality is while the scholarship numbers have gone up, the walk-on numbers are way down due to reduced roster sizes, dictated by the NCAA. But recognizing how important player development is, Notre Dame has done a great job in investing in analysts, who in recent seasons were finally permitted to do on-field coaching. That's a big plus, not just the quantity of them but the quality ND is getting in those young up-and-comers. (more)

Pat, Philly

12:41

Thanks for your time and insights...ND enters the spring with so many DTs. Based on 2025 snap counts, Brewu, Gray, Hughes and Onye will be at the top of the rotation, but there is a complete depth chart behind them (8 guys evenly spread out over 4 classes, and that's not including Burgess)...1) Is there any concern about not getting enough practice reps or on-field teaching time for some of the young players? 2) Who winds up 5th (or higher) in snaps at the position, and if it isn't Mukam, do you find it odd that he didnt stay in the portal 3) Any thoughts on the quartet of Mullins, Sevilano, Dixon or Sulfted developing into contributors down the line? Their recruiting profiles were more of rotational players during their 4th-5th years, although I was more bullish on the former two and hoped that they'd be ready this year....

Eric Hansen

12:40

Unless someone moves outside (Cole Mullins, who has bounced back and forth), the irish have eight defensive ends on the roster. Yes, Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young and Keon Keeley are the givens. Junior Loghan Thomas is the logical choice, but can he increase his size and strength enough to be a factor beyond special teams? He reported in January at 6-3, 207. The other player who wears jersey No. 10 is 6-4, 209 and that's freshman QB Noah Grubbs. If Thomas does not meet his offseason goals, look for freshman Rodney Dunham to make a move.

Adam from FL

12:35

Who do you think has the best shot to be the 4th DE after Traore, Young, and Keeley? Are we hoping that Logan Thomas locates the dining hall/ weight room or counting on one of the incoming prized freshman?

Eric Hansen

12:35

As far as slumps with other players, competition makes it tough for that to happen. Marcus isn't going to play someone because they have a bigger NIL contract. They have to earn their spot. And the roster is so deep and competitive, if you get complacent, you will be replaced.

12:34

As far as a sophomore slump with CJ, he's technically a redshirt sophomore and junior academically so maybe he skipped it. Here's what I know about Carr and why I don't think this happens. The tragedy of losing his little brother, Chad, to a brain tumor, drives him very day to make the best out of each day and NEVER take anything for granted. He works like a guy in danger of losing his roster spot. And he has the talent to go with that drive and the capacity and ambition to be better each day. He also has a really good cast around him. (more)

12:31

Hi Tom and thanks for the compliment. Spring football is almost here and hopefully actual spring will be here to stay toon. It's on vacation today (39 degrees as we speak). So who's the butt-kicker on the O-line this year? If he's healthy, I think it's Charles Jagusah, and we'll get rundown on where he stands on his road back next Wednesday, two days ahead of the start of spring practice. He is also very cerebral and a film study-aholic. (more)

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

12:27

Hi Eric, thanks so much for continuing with your World Famous Chats!!! We need and appreciate it. A couple of questions from right field: In the past the OL has had a nasty, leader who set the tone for the offense. Players like Coogan, Schrauth and even as far back as Big Q. Who is that leader for '26?? Soph slumps can happen to the least likely players. What traits will keep Carr from having a slump?? Is there something about MF and the culture he is developing that will slump possibilities for other players? Thanks again and as always Go Irish!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

12:26

From what I've been told, Erik Schmidt's No. 1 focus is going to be punting, and he's very good at it, but he has competition in Aussie Jasper Scaife. But his focus on punting does not eliminate him from competing to be the kickoff man. And he was very good at it last year. He's also insurance in the place-kicking game if there are injuries or struggles with Spencer Porath and Micah Drescher. In the day and age of 100 players being on scholarship for the Irish this year, building this type of depth is a smart move, especially with no spring transfer portal period this year.

12:23

Tony! I stopped reading after all the compliments as I think I've found my new hype man ... but I see there is a question that I need to answer. First thanks for the compliments. I will say this about the baseball team. Fourteen games in, I am impressed. D1 Baseball, the ultimate college baseball website, not only believes the Irish will be an NCAA Tourney team this year, but a potentially dangerous one. ... To your football question. ... (more)

2581

12:18

Tony from central Kentucky/Bluegrass country by way of Somerset, PA, also the home of Shawn Stffler, coach of the 10-4 ND Fightin' Irish baseball team, who we will see play twice in Louisville this weekend. Hopefully. more Irish fans in Kentucky and southern Indiana will come out this weekend to see the Irish battle the Cards ...! Thanks to the one-and-only Eric Hansen for all of his hard work in putting together these weekly chats, and for his insight & wisdom ! Now for my football question: Eric, in reading the March 2026 issue of Blue & Gold Illustrated, in the "Specialists" section, it only lists Porath & Drescher as the possible placekickers for ND this season, with no mention of Erik Schmidt (whom it says will be competing with Jasper Scaife for punting duties). Has ND given up on Schmidt as our placekicker or was this an oversight on Tyler Horka's part? If memory serves, Schmidt was a highly touted kicker coming out of high school... Thanks, Eric, and hope to see you before too long ...

Eric Hansen

12:18

3) The skill sets of Charlie Partridge and Aaron Henry -- Partridge, a former head coach, Henry a former coordinator with familiarity with Ash and his system is a big deal. And Brian Jean-Mary's DC experience helps him see the bigger picture as well. So, yes it's something to watch in spring and fall camp, and yet it's something I feel very optimistic about based on all these elements.

12:14

1) Marcus Freeman is attempting to build into his offseason structure safeguards against being exposed and surprised early in the season. One way they're going about this is the Football School concept in winter workouts, where it's not just about getting bigger, stronger, faster ... it's also about learning and adjusting ... earlier and then testing those adjustment. 2) The silver lining, if you can call it that, to the playoff snub, is that the Irish got to start on 2026 in December, not in a compressed February and condensed spring football calendar as well. In other words, Marcus Freeman is making the best out of a sucky situation and applying it to 2026. (more)

12:11

Hi Rich. If you remember, even Al Golden in year 1 of his three-year stint as coordinator (2022) and Marcus Freeman in his one-year DC run (2021) had some early-season hiccups as Chris Ash did in 2025. But this is not a change of systems/schemes. These are position coach changes. Though not insignificant, there are reasons to feel the adjustment period will be minimal and mitigated. (more)

Rich, Phoenixville PA

12:08

Maybe the new assistants have remained close to Chris Ash over the years, but even regular phone chats don't give me a lot of confidence that the D will perform as a cohesive unit from the first game onwards.

12:07

Hello Eric, spring is nigh! With the turnover on the defensive coaching staff, two key assistants plus positions below the assistant level, should we not be concerned about a repeat of the early season foibles on the defensive side last season?

Eric Hansen

Off we go ...

12:06

The no drinking rule for everyone but me has been rescinded indefinitely, so please behave.

Here are the rules:

12:05

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

As far as this week's chat ...

12:04

► The Third & Gold Podcast is available at all places where you find podcasts, as well as our YouTube Channel. On our most recent episode, we caught up with On3 Insider Pete Nakos, who shared some intriguing insights on the transfer portal, NIL and where college football is headed. The next episode will drop Friday.

► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, what are you doing with your life? Seriously, the show keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation, so you can catch up now or later on our YouTube channel. We’ll be back next week, Monday at 7 p.m. ET, for another presentation of Football Never Sleeps with Tyler James co-hosting with me. And check out some great shows on the Blue & Gold YouTube channel as well, including the live Notre Dame Football Show, on Wednesday nights.

12:03

► On July 1, Tyler James and I made the move to the On3 network and blueandgold.com and joined some amazing teammates. It’s proven to be a great move for us and, I believe, for our subscribers as well. And if you’re a potential first-time subscriber, we have a great deal — take a test drive for $1. With that, you get all of our premium content, plus all the value you get from a national team of writers and content creators, as well as access to every team site in the On3 network and a full year of The Athletic. Check it out at: https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/join/.

First, some quick programming notes:

12:02

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, from formerly tropical but back to reality (cold) South Bend.

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