JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 2, 2021 | 3/2/2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 2, 2021

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Eric Hansen

2:57

That's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. Let's do this again on St. Patrick's Day -- ideally before the celebrations begin -- at noon EDT.

2:55

I think Notre Dame will take more than three linebackers in this cycle, and I think they have prioritized their board to make sure they get the best of the rather impressive bunch.

Jay from Palos Hills

2:54

Linebacker recruiting is trending positively this cycle. Do you see ND taking multiple targets at the same positions (Mike, Will, Rover or whatever we're calling it) or do you see it as first to commit gets the spot?

Eric Hansen

2:54

Phil. I'm not sure. It's not something I've been moved to research. I do think nationwide, more attention has been put on mental health of college-age kids, especially during the pandemic. I think that's a positive as we move forward.

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Phil (Chicago)

2:53

Hi Eric. Rough week for the Notre Dame family with the passing of Louis Nix. I can tell from your writing this was hard for you as well. It seems like Notre Dame has had an abnormally high amount of recent former football players pass. From Schwenke and Greg Bryant to the Atkinson's and now Louis Nix. I know each case has their own unique circumstances and I don't want to sound insensitive, but is there anything to this? I am more dialed in to Notre Dame, so maybe this is happening at other schools , but it just seems like a high number at Notre Dame.

Eric Hansen

2:52

I don' t think it would take much money or much work. It's a matter of taste.

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Walter , Bremen

2:52

I find the ND home field quite boring . Do you have any idea how much work or how much money it would take to put the ND Leprechaun on the 50 facing the NBC cameras and maybe putting Notre Dame in one end zone and Fighting Irish or 11 National Championships in the other .

Eric Hansen

2:51

Travis, I wouldn't concern myself one way or another. This has been a tough time for the recruiting services, because there's limited data in which to make these kinds of evaluations. If that changes this summer. I'd expect the Notre Dame commits to benefit from that.

Travis from Newport Kentucky

2:49

Happy Tuesday Eric. I noticed all of Notre Dame's early commits for 2022 were all bumped down in the updated rankings. I'm far from pulling a panic button as it's so early but obviously that's not the best sign. Any thoughts on that?

Eric Hansen

2:46

Pat, Happy March to you. Yes it feels not only like the Irish are more active, but that they're getting involved with more ELITE prospects, especially on the defensive side of the ball with a realistic chance to close on many of them. ... I will not bet on the second running back. 17-year-olds are fickle creatures. I had two of them myself way back when. I know.

Pat from St Paul

2:44

Happy March Eric! If I am following the recruiting buzz properly it feels like the Irish are being more active, perception or reality? Care to wager on the second RB in the 2022 class? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

2:44

Alan, thank you!

Alan from Whiteland, Indiana

2:43

Eric, thank you for graciously answering my questions. Plus, I really enjoyed the article with Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick. All the best.

Eric Hansen

2:43

My thoughts are that is an ambitious proclamation in March. It may not look as bold in June. We're getting more data every day about how difficult it is for vaccinated individuals to spread the virus. If the final data matches some of the early returns, then it changes the outlook of large gatherings quite dramatically.

Chris, Louisville

2:41

What are your thoughts on Alabama announcing the return to a full stadium this fall? I’d be happy with a 50% full stadium this fall in South Bend, have a feeling that may be a stretch...

Eric Hansen

2:40

Great hire. To my point, there's not one way to do things. Sometimes an outside hire is best. Sometimes an inside hire is best. Why limit yourself to one or the other?

Charley from Ridgeland

2:40

To Bill's question. What about Marcus Freeman?

Eric Hansen

2:39

Erik, I'm not ready to call Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa's move to end as an absolute and permanent until I see it over an entire spring. Having said that, there is an incredible amount of PROVEN depth and talent at the interior lines positions and some exciting UNPROVEN talent on the edges. So I'd hold off on the comparisons. I also wouldn't rule out a grad transfer on the edge, if there's an elite one who's also a fit available.

Erik (Granger, IN)

2:34

Thanks for being here! And great pic on the chat article. I’ll always remember Big Lou for his off the field charisma as much as his on field play, and appreciate you connecting us with him these last few months. With MTA kicking outside to end, does this 2-deep D-Line have the opportunity to be ND’s best ever? Best of Kelly era? Or is that 2012 line with Nix, Tuitt, et al. still up there?

Eric Hansen

2:34

Bill, I think it's unfair to those coaches who have earned promotions from within to assume they're undeserving. Clark Lea was a recent promotion from within as was Jeff Quinn, and I think those hires turned out to be excellent ones. Tyler James did a nice profile of safeties coach:

How Chris O'Leary climbed from unheralded roles to Notre Dame's safeties coach

As far as Lou and I cry for help, we're still not exactly sure what happened. It appears the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating it as an accident. We'll see. I think Louis would be comfortable with me sharing that when we did talk, he knew he needed help and wanted help and was determined to get help. He had resources to do so through his company (Cintas). He was dealing with a lot, yet was happy to be alive. Whatever the cause turns out to be, it's a reminder of how important it is for us to pay attention to our mental health and be there for others when they need us.

Bill 1000 oaks ca

2:23

Beginning to doubt ND’S nation wide searches between Rees & new safety’s coach? Despite WU’S glowing endorsement what positives can you tell us about O’Leary?We need all the help we can get and this sounds like another comfortable cost cutting Kelly move? Please tell I’m wrong did your Raiders favorite ever get a look see? Stay safe Eric & thanks for being the VOICE for ND Nation!!!! RIP BIG LOU hope he wasn’t crying out for help that no one noticed.

Tom (South Bend)

2:22

I got hit with the early "return" press, but I also wanted to say I am sad to see him go.

Eric Hansen

2:22

Carter Karels announced on Twitter a few minutes ago that his position was eliminated by The South Bend Tribune's parent company, Gannett. Tyler James and I will be adding recruiting to our responsibilities. ... I don't want this to come off sounding transactional. It's not. Carter Karels is like family to me. I'm proud of the work he's done and will smile when he gets his next opportunity. This decision had nothing to do with ability. What it did have to do with -- no one has sufficiently explained it to me. The business model of newspapers must evolve.

Tom (South Bend)

2:16

No more Carter and recruiting coverage at the Tribune?

Eric Hansen

2:13

Jacob Lacey has a world of potential that got diminished last season by injuries. Expect a surge from him in 2021.

Patrick, Fort Wayne, IN

2:12

Eric, How can a 20 inch snow pack melt in a week without flooding? Crazy Indiana weather. To my question, I have heard little to no talk about Jacob Lacey on the defensive line. How was his 2020 season and what is his future?

Eric Hansen

2:12

Tom, thanks. I think as long as Notre Dame aspires to win national title and puts in the work, strategies and financial commitments to do so, I wouldn't undersell that goal. I can remember when a lot of the national media (in the Faust and Davie era) thought Notre Dame could never been a top 10 team again.

Tom from Grand Rapids, MI

2:10

Eric, thanks for all the hard work you have put into these chats. Realistically can a small private Catholic school in the rust belt, with today’s culture/climate, bridge the overall talent gap to enter and stay among the elites in the sport. The last three years have been fun for fans, if we can get back into the stadium, with the teams success. I just wonder what I should hope for?

Eric Hansen

2:09

Thanks Richard. The answer is easy. Brian Kelly is beginning his 12th year. The only other Notre Dame coach with a longer tenure was Knute Rockne (13), who won multiple national titles.

Richard/Warner Robins, GA

2:05

Greetings from down South. Thanks for the great info on ND. It really keeps my spirit up during this Pandemic as well as the incessant noise from SEC fans. My question is, "Has anyone coached at Notre Dame longer than BK without winning a National Championship"? I look forward to your answer.

Eric Hansen

2:04

Today I would say Kevin Austin Jr., Braden Lenzy and Avery Davis. But a lot could change this spring and in training camp. I certainly like the chances of Jordan Johnson and Lorenzo Styles Jr. to be in the rotation.

David (Jackson, MI)

2:00

Who would you predict to be the 3 starters at WR for the first game of the 2021 season?

Eric Hansen

2:00

Mark, thank you. I'd say there is a very good chance we'll be at at least one, and maybe two or three if there are more staged in the stadium. I think some of that depends on the vaccination pace in Indiana. It has suddenly sped way up. Today it opened up to the 55-59 age group, which captures Brian Kelly. We're not too far away from open season. I think ND will err on the side of caution. My hope is if we can't be there in person, perhaps there's a way we can watch via live stream.

Mark, Orange County CA

1:57

Hi Eric, thank you for these chats. I especially wanted to thank you for sharing so much of your last conversation with Louis Nix with your readers. It was quite moving. Yes, without a doubt, Irish Chocolate mattered and impacted the program. He also brought out BK's lighter side which also helped. .Do you know if you will be allowed to attend any spring practices in person?

Eric Hansen

1:57

Neil, Notre Dame's philosophy is to get your best five linemen on the field and then retro fit them to positions. Lugg is no lower than third. So he needs to start. There are plenty of other players who have at least tackle/guard versatility. So Lugg is much more valuable THIS year as a starter.

Neil (Indianapolis)

1:55

Given the number of new pieces on offense, is there greater value in keeping Josh Lugg as the 6th man on the o-line to avoid further shuffling in the event of an injury? Or is Lugg that much better (right now) relative to other potential starters that he really needs to start?

Eric Hansen

1:54

Yes I did cross paths with a professional wrestler -- once. It was 1987 or 88 and I was working in Hammond, Ind. at what is now The Times of Northwest Indiana. I was walking near the front desk to the newsroom and the receptionist tells me someone wants to talk to me. I was the only sports guy in the office at the time. I look up, and in front of my is a 6-foot-4, 300-pound, purple-haired woman who introduced herself to me as Matilda the Hun. Who was I to say no? I brought her back to our break room, bought her a cup of coffee and a sleeve or Oreos and I sat there and listened to her story. And I enjoyed every minute of it.

1:48

Archie, the nuances of WWE are kind of outside of my purview. It's my understanding that he's signed a developmental contract. I would imagine that could lead to something more lucrative. One thing Parker is really good at and always has been, that would help him in the WWE, is marketing. He's great at building a following. When he as a backup lineman at ND, he had the largest Twitter following of anyone. Today it's almost 100,000. He's also a natural showman.(more)

Archie , West side

1:40

According to WWE.com , former ND lineman Parker Boudreaux is at the Performance Center in Orlando training to be a wrestler . Do you think he gets signed ? Also, during your years covering sports , have you crossed paths with any Professional Wrestlers ?

Eric Hansen

1:37

Alex and son, thank you. One of the reasons I live what I do so much is that you meet people like Louis whose dreams, fractured or intact, and the way they go about chasing them changes you forever.

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