JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 23, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 23, 2022

Eric Hansen

3:13

OK, that's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon EDT.

3:12

Actually Marcus is. But he's leaning on Al Golden and delgating a lot to Rees. He's also talking to Jerome Bettis and Lou Holtz. I love that he's not afraid to ask questions and then processes that info for what makes sense for him.

David from DC

3:11

With the large turnover in staff this offseason, who is tasked with helping Coach Freeman adjust to the operations side of being a head coach?

Eric Hansen

3:11

KJ, I asked him specifically about that last Thursday, and I don't think he was anticipating the question. So the answer was yes but kind of work-salad-like. I plan to follow up with him and through some sources.

KJ from near the Channel Islands

3:10

Is there going to be a replacement for the mental coach, Amber Selking? Or do you sense that HC Freeman is not a fan or believer in such coaching? Thanks Eric.

Eric Hansen

3:09

Lots of intel.... but now is about that translating to actual football and that doesn't always happen ... Dante Moore. .. I'll say 70%. And if they don't get him, I believe they'll get Christopher Vizzina. .. and one of those things needs to happen in this cycle.

Pat (St. Paul)

3:08

Hi Eric, love these chats! Two questions for you…1) are you getting any intel on players really shining with Winter workouts and 2) what is the percent chance we land Dante?

Eric Hansen

3:07

Haha. True story. He did run into former Tribune coworker Carter Karels in a Baton Rouge restaurant the week he was hired at LSU and he did tell Carter to say hello to me. ... and at the time was already kind of radioactive himself. ... I think Watts only moves back to WR in an extreme emergency. They love him at safety and think he could start in 2023. He would not necessarily start at WR in 2023. .. when you say next year in the secondary, I assume you mean 2022? So Joseph, Henderson, Hart and Lewis. But remember I said Golden is big into speciality packages, so that opens the door for more safeties and corners. In 2023? Henderson, Watts, Hart and Lewis or Mickey/Bellamy.

Matt in Augusta NJ

3:02

Eric, haven’t been in the chat since the change...so if you see Brian Kelly at a press conference will he still call on you first? Real question is WR depth and the secondary. It seems like ND has been playing catch-up at both positions over the last few years. Previously in the secondary and now at WR. Recruiting misses over time show. With the transfer of Joseph does ND move Watts back to WR? They might need him in the secondary with injuries but I think he might play at WR if given a chance with the poor depth. Also who do you see starting in the secondary next year. I would love to see one of the sophomores (true) rise up and grab a spot.

Eric Hansen

3:02

I really liked Tucker when he signed, but he had some injury issues to work through and has a long climb. Riley, Barnes and the two freshmen are battling for the inside track to playing time.

ced walker

3:01

how chance tucker and phillip riley going to be at the cb position this season ced walker saginaw michigan

Eric Hansen

3:01

I hate to single out players I think may transfer. I don't think it's fair to them. What I can tell you is there's a lot of young talent on the offensive line, but Harry Hiestand doesn't have mahy transfers in his past unless they're grad transfers. Some of the positions you asked about have already self-corrected a bit (cornerbacks, linebackers). Notre Dame is at 85 scholarships right now. So unless they add through the portal (likely), there aren't likely to be many new transfers out at the end of spring.

Steve from DFW

2:58

ND has a few logjams at certain positions. What players are we in danger of losing to the portal?

Eric Hansen

2:57

Adam, thank you. I'm enjoying the heck out of the new venture. Very glad I tried this. And feel free to join us. ... 1) The best way I can put it at this point is ND in recruiting is showing recruits what their OPPORTUNITIES are. They are not talking about guarantees. And from the recruits we've spoken with, they seem to be resonating with that approach -- so far. 2) The percentage of kids ND could get thorugh admissions has been gauged at different places by different people. I never believed the 30%. I think it was more like 70%, but there are players ND eliminated and didn't try to get through the admissions process for various reasons, including kids from public schools that didn't have a history of even sending normal students to ND. I think that's where Marcus has expanded the margins. He's not afraid to go after those kids as well as kids originally disinterested in the 4-for-40 concept he is eventually able to get them invested in.

Adam (Dayton, OH)

2:49

Eric, love these chats and hope your new ND adventure is going great! Two questions. 1.) A lot of people seem to "know" what ND specifically won't do in regards to NIL, i.e., no collective or anything of that nature, but does anyone know specifically what ND will do? Irish Players Club is certainly entrepreneurial, but that isn't exactly compensating like Nico just got compensated. I know Kyle Hamilton did well, but an All-America is going to do well anywhere. 2.) Notre Dame seems to have a buzz with elite recruits that they haven't had since Lou. Still a long way to go, but is Marcus Freeman destroying the thought that ND can only go after about 30% of the top kids?

Eric Hansen

2:48

John, I have not done the deep dive with men's hoops returnees and am not even sure if Mike Brey knows. I do think there's a chance Wesley comes back. It'll be tempting to get into the draft, and maybe he declares then takes his name out. His family is very grounded and I could see him feeling an extra year would make him a much better prospect. ... Brey's interest? From what we're told it was real and perhaps stronger than Maryland's interest in him. Seemed like it was Kevin Willard's job to lose/turn down from the start.

John Clarke from Centralia, IL

2:45

Proud of Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Which veteran Irish men’s players do you see returning? Any chance we get another year from Wesley? How serious was Mike Brey about the Maryland job? Thanks, Eric.

Eric Hansen

2:45

I was working and covering practice, so not too much to survive, but thanks for the sentiments. Only green I saw beyond practice was something in the back of my refrigerator. ... Jordan Botelho is at a crossroads. ... If he brings matruity to the table, I think he finds a way to positively impact this team in 2022. He's just too talented.

ND Harvey from South Philly Pa

2:42

E, hope you survived St. PADDY’s Day, I didn’t. Can Jordan Botelho succeed in Coach Golden Defense. And I expect Stardom from Marist Liafau this season. Thank you. Go Irish

Eric Hansen

2:42

Email me at ehansen@insidendsports.com.

Canadian Irish in Toronto

2:42

Hi Eric, this isn't really a football question, but I was very stoked to learn about the ND22 sign-up this past week, only to discover that it's not available for people in Canada. Is there some way you can approach the powers that be to correct that oversight? Subscriptions to InsideNDSports should be available to all the Subway Alumni throughout the world. Thank you for anything you can do on our behalf. Go Irish and Cardinals!!!

Eric Hansen

2:42

Tyler Buchner. ... in the shotgun.

Guest

2:41

Who is starting under center opening day against Ohio State..Todd, niagara falls, Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 🤔

Eric Hansen

2:41

Hi Nate. Thank you. With sports science, there's always new wrinkles that are being introduced and Notre Dame remains on the cutting edge with that. I believe they're sitll using the DARI motion-capture diagnostic tool, which helps prevent injuries in a couple of ways. No. 1 it spots dysfunctional movement and then Balis' staff corrects that movement. It can also see a hamstring injury coming, and can make the right corrections in routine to head that off. So this is mostly for soft-tissue injury prevention. I don't know that ligament tears can ever be completely avoided.

Nate from Salem MA

2:34

Eric, thank you for what you do, love these chats! Question: it seems like theres been some pretty serious leg injuries dating that have claimed a number of irish dating back to last fall camp. Any word if balis' program is being looked at to potentially adapt/change to help prevent these injuries? Super tough to see the fellas go down, and I dont with torn ligaments on anyone! Thank you again for your hard work!

Eric Hansen

2:34

Thanks Irish Mike. So agents and third parties generally get the process started. Brian Kelly's agent let it be known he was in play, and not just for LSU. He's always been pretty aggressive, even when BK wasn't looking and it almost came back to bite BK a time or two. ... Even on the coordinator level, when Brian eventually hired Clark Lea to replace Mike Elko, he has a third party vet interest from some veteran defensive coordinators before Kelly opted to promote Clark from within. .. Jon Heacock, by the way, also was contacted in that search.

IrishMike, Altoona,PA

2:29

Hi Eric! As always thank you for these chats! It was noted that Al Golden either interviewed or was considered for the head coach position at ND when Brian Kelly was ultimately hired. When these positions open, like this year when Kelly went to LSU, do candidates “apply” or express interest through other channels/agents? I realize the University will reach out as well. Any insight in the process is appreciated! Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

2:29

Hi Jim. Welcome back. I think Al Golden tops your list. He has the most on his plate, including helping be a resource for Marcus Freeman in learning the art of being a head coach. There's more differneces in the defensive scheme that originally anticipated, including new terminology, new packages, so there's a lot there. I'd say No. 2 would be Harry Hiestand, re-evaluated positions (not saying there will be massive changes), working around injuries and beinb very technique intensive. I do think it's reasonable to expect 10 wins in 2022. Not that it will be easy with the schedule, but with this roster ... yes.

Jim Tal, Valley Center, CA.

2:25

Hi Eric, hope all is well with you. Two quick questions. From what you can discern, which of the new coaches is having the most impact thus far during spring practice? And as far as the upcoming season is concerned, do you think it's reasonable to expect Freeman to win at least 10 games in 2022? Thanks for all you do.

Eric Hansen

2:25

Hi David and thank you. Yes, I think Tyree can help a lot in the slot. He's comfortable there and likes showing off his versatility. As far as 4- and 5-wide, it depends on health. I don't see that being a staple unless you're including Michael Mayer being flexed out as one of the four or five. He has to be on the field. So Styles-Davis-Colzie-Mayer or Styles-Davis-Colzie-Lenzy-Mayer. I could envision those personnel groups being effective. Even. Styles-Tyree-Mayer-Lenzy-Wilkins.

David - NY

2:22

Eric! Thanks for these chats. You mentioned running backs in the slot. Do you think Tyree can help there a la Theo Riddick but with more game breaking speed? I can’t see how we are gonna run 4 or 5 wide with current WR depth.

Eric Hansen

2:21

Hi Jonathan. I think the chances are good that Wellman ends up at ND provided he doesn't land a guaranteed scholarship offer he likes better. ND should be and is looking at the portal still. Some of that will be dictated by what happens in spring here and elsewhere. If Colzie and Wilkins for instance soar, then it's going to be a hard sell to someone who wants to start. A depth piece makes more sense in that case.

Jonathan Thie Sioux Falls, South Dakota

2:18

What are the chances that Notre Dame gets Harrison Wellman as a Preferred Walk-On, and do you think Notre Dame will still go after a Wide Receiver in the Transfer Portal, and what are the chances of them doing that, and who do you think that will be?

Eric Hansen

2:18

Hi Lawrence. This is me projecting ... if spring plays out the way I think it will and Avery Davis' recovery is complete, I see Colzie (boundary), Davis (slot) and Styles (field) as the best starting group. I think Styles is the highest-ceiling individual. I think Lenzy, Wilkins and Merriweather is a strong second wave .. .with Thomas and Salerno after that. ... Wilkins is a guy who shines in winter workouts year after year and has strong spring practices, who doesn't look the same in the games (though last year he was injured early).

Lawrence from San Diego

2:13

How good can colzie be? Do you think our highest ceiling receiver lineup is Lenzy(field)/styles(slot)/colzie(boundary), with styles rotating in at field, Davis rotating in at the slot, and Wilkins/merriweather 2a/b in the boundary?

Eric Hansen

2:12

That means Harry Hiestand is holding him to a high standard he knows Rocco can reach. But lax technique isn't going to cut it. Again, that's a good thing. I'm hearing Burnham and Sneed among the freshmen linebackers who are impressing, but the surprise to many might be that Nolan Ziegler is surging. The depth at safety may turn out to be a big surprise. Aiden Gobaira at end could be a factor, especially if he can bulk up beyond 220. Jadarian Price's speed is suprising some. Again pads will change some of this as well as players learning the defense more quickly than others. Cornerbacks might flip back to Hart at boundary and Lewis at field. That would seem to make more sense, especially for Lewis. Will have more after seeing them in person Saturday.

2:05

What's interesting about reports we get from winter workouts and two practices in shorts is they don't always translate to what happens in pads. Otherwise, Houston Griffith would be a four-time All-American. But they're not insignificant either. Let's start with O-Line. Freshman Billy Schraurth, who's injured currently, still impressed. The feelikng is very high ceiling and floor for this kid. ... Baker has turned some heads, including Harry's. But does that get him in the guard mix or the No. 3 tackle option. That will play out here shortly. Rocco Spindler got yelled out a lot in a recent practice. And that's probably a good thing. (more)

2:01

This is from Kyle from Kansas City.

Guest

2:01

Any reports from Winter Workouts or the couple Spring Practices that you’re hearing? Position changes, guys they are excited about, surprise guys expected to take vacant jobs? The “nugget” variety

Eric Hansen

2:01

Hey Tom, thanks for jumping in. Tommy Rees said Saturday that the first time he had Bucnher in a camp, he ran 4.68. I would imagine he's much quicker as a college sophomore than a high school sophomore. ... Some comps from the Kelly Era at the NFL Combines or ND Pro Days: Book 4.59, Golson 4.82, Kiser 4.83, Coan 4.9, Zaire 4.93 and Rees 5.09.

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