JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 25, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 25, 2025

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Eric Hansen

3:04

OK, that's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. I will do a chat next week, but it's going to hinge on what's going on with spring football media opps as well as the women's basketball team's tourney fortunes. Keep an eye on our website and my social media next week, and I'll let you know which day. ...eventually.

3:02

If you're asking me if Christian Gray were a stock, would I buy or sell. I'm buying. I believe in that kid.

Kevin from Boston

3:01

Christian Gray is obviously a high level player who appeared to struggle in a few games (USC, Ohio State?) but also showed out in some in incredible key moments (USC, PSU, etc). In the few moments where he appeared to struggle, how much of that was (a) a function of defensive coaches having such a high opinion of him that they left him on an island in order to shore up other areas of the team vs (b) him hitting against a physical ceiling vs (c) minor areas where he's likely able to continue to grow and minimize? I'm curious if we can hope to continue to see improvement next season or whether you can only ask so much of one individual on a defense.

Eric Hansen

3:01

Frank you overestimate my psychic ability. I think in talking to Tyler there's only one prospect closing in on an ND decision soon, but visits can also change timelines. Sorry, I'm not a good BS-er.

Frank from Royse City,Texas

3:00

Eric, do you think ND will receive any commitments this week?

Eric Hansen

3:00

Hi Steve. I'll try to oversimplify here. The revenue model may change significantly on April 7. That's when we expect a revenue-sharing model to be approved. And then schools will have a $20.5 cap to spend on revenue sharing, most of which will go toward football. NIL will still exist but more in the form it was intended by people who follow the rules. And that market at each school will be determined by the actual market for those players. And for schools who don't play by the rules, it can be whatever they can get away with.

steve stefanko

2:56

Eric/Tyler....I'm wondering who determines how much NIL money is available for the ND Basketball and Football programs each year?

Eric Hansen

2:55

The caffeine is wearing off, sorry about jumbling the order. Late night and I woke up to the sound of a chainsaw in action about 40 yards from my pillow way before my alarm was set to go off. ... Wah.

Don Scottsdale AZ

2:54

Eric. What does Freeman have to see in spring ball to have a realistic chance to get to the playoffs and win a game or 4? If he doesn't see if can the portal supply it for the fall? Thanks as always. Enjoying the coverage for WBB!

Eric Hansen

2:54

Hi Don. I think I answered variations of this before you chimed in with this nice succinct version, but let me boil it down to your question about the portal. BARRING UNEXPECTED DEPARTURES (and this also hinges on roster sizes we'll likely know about on April 7 via a court hearing), tight ends and interior defensive linemen might be the only groups on the shopping list. Otherwise, it's about development.

2:51

Hi Roger and thanks for the vote of confidence in yours and everyone else's ability and willingness to adapt to my harebrained schedule. I might have answered it a bit in Marie's question, but this feels different, so let me focus it to your specifics and boil it down to simple concepts to the point of perhaps oversimplifying. The two position groups most in need of an upgrade after seeing the College Football Playoff play out are wide receiver and defensive line. And if you look at the rest of the team, I think collectively you'd say ND as is good as 2024. Now the QBs have to be as good as we think, the safeties too, but all together, I think the position groups minus the two I mentioned are good enough to have you in that conversation or will be. WRs and defensive line. Keep your focus there this spring and fall.

Roger from Peoriaaa

2:44

Good Morning Eric: "Argh" and you know why! With a "Tuesday Live Chat", that probably leaves Sunday, Monday and Saturday as days of the week that will not likely host a "Live Chat", but if so, expect your loyal participants to be "all in". How about the Irish Fencers winning National Championship #14 this past weekend. What a successful program, thanks in no small part to the legendary Mike DeCicco, the "Knute Rockne of Irish Fencing". Now for my question of the day. Following the highly successful 2024 season, in order for the 2025 season to be similarly successful, barring injury to any returning players, what positions on the offense and defense will enable a similarly successful 2025 season and what positions on the offense and defense will require less experienced players to step up to permit similar success? Thanks and as always, GO IRISH!!

Eric Hansen

2:44

Hi Jim. Excellent question that might get you a better answer if Notre Dame was a public, and not private institution. But let me answer what I think is the spirit of your question ... which is can ND compete in this new economic model. The answer so far is yes, and the answer moving forward likely is to be yes, given the commitments the school continues to make to back up that sentiment.

Jim from Springfield IL

2:42

I know ND received $20m plus expenses for their participation in the CFP, but has anyone done an analysis of other additional income resulting from playing in the national championship game, such as merchandise sales, anticipated ticket revenue in 2025, donations, NIL, etc? It seems a university would need to consider this in deciding how much to invest in their program; or are we moving into a situation where outside donors with big egos who don't care about the money will dominate the sport? Does ND have a sugar daddy?

Eric Hansen

2:42

As far as Brenan Vernon, Notre Dame doesn't need this to be a pivotal spring for him, but I think Brenan Vernon himself needs that. The plan last year was to change his body into a DT physique and he has. Now it's time to see if he can move up the depth chart.

2:40

Hi Mark, wish I knew where T-ville was. ... I appreciate your question and the hint at your hometown. ... I am really optimistic about both ends spots, provided Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore return from their injuries, as expected. The interior is the huge question mark. There are plenty of options there, 11 between the two spots, with Devan Houstan flipping to offense, But is there enough quality? My sense there is, among Rubio, Dawson, Hinish and Onye and one of the younger players. That's a big story line that will be revealed over the course of spring. (more)

2:36

Wow Stanford just fired head football coach Troy Taylor ...

Mark from T-Ville , NJ

2:34

Hi Eric hope all is well in SB. Thanks for your chats I really enjoy them. With the graduation of Howard Cross, Rylie Mills and RJ Oben from the D line do you see enough talent remaing on the roster to maintain and or improve the front four this year? Is DT Brenan Vernon in a make it or break it year? I would like to see him crack the line up,

Eric Hansen

2:33

Hi Kevin. Devan Houstan's work ethic is outstanding, and I believe he was named scout team Player of the Week a couple of times last year. I want to preface my answer with that, because when you work hard, you have a chance to overcome long odds, and the odds of Houstan contributing on either side of the ball in 2025 aren't great. But he's closer to the top of the depth chart as a third-string offensive guard than he was as a fifth- or sixth-strong nose guard. So not a demotion. Just trying to find a way to help him and help the team. ND is down some interior offensive linemen this spring, so he will get some good reps. ... To your second question, ND's now-experienced line should be a non-factor in the QB race, but to what end Angeli can extend plays, can show escapability, ca n process quickly, can be a presence in the RPO game all factor in. Thanks for the question. I hope that makes sense.

Kevin from Calgary

(finishing question) does that make Steve Angelia’s path to being the starter a little easier. It seems to be his biggest drawback is his lack of mobility, but with such a strong line protecting him does that become less of a concern?

2:28

Eric, thanks so much for keeping up the chats and sorry for the late query. Two O-line questions, first, would you consider Devan Houstan’s switch to the offensive line a bit of a demotion? It seems to me the path to starting would be easier on the other side of the ball. Also, with such a stacked offensive line this season, does that

Eric Hansen

2:27

OK back to football ...

2:25

If Olivia weren't able to go, Hannah would play the point and Citron would handle the ball when Hannah was out of the game. And you'd probably see Cass Prosper getting more minutes. No one is compromised to the point that they can't play, but I'm sure everyone is sore. Sonia Citron put it best:

“There’s not an easy game. Every game is tough. Every team is tough, so you’re going to get banged around. You’re going to have cuts, bruises, but it’s about fighting through that. It comes down to which team that’s going to fight through that harder and better.”

2:21

Jack, you are truly my PR guy. How much is my mom paying you to do that? Seriously, thank you. I mentioned in my game story/column on Sunday that Olivia Miles said she was at about 45 percent. The plan was to give her a couple of days off, so Monday and today. And what percentage she'll be at Saturday they probably won't know until Saturday morning. Remember in the story I wrote, she didn't think she could play Sunday when she woke up that morning. (more)

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

2:19

Hi Eric. In the first 2 games of the NCAA tournament the Irish showed the intensity they were lacking in the ACC tournament. How bad is Olivia Miles ankle and what is the plan going forward if she cannot play at full strength. Any other injuries of note. When do you get a break from your 24/7 duties. Thanks for all your great work across all the platforms people can find you on.

Eric Hansen

2:18

Hi Paul and thanks for submitting them, and for all your lurking prior to asking a question. Both appreciated. ... If Notre Dame makes it to the Final Four, I think we'll be talking about their offensive balance and their ability to defend at all five positions. If they don't, they likely get too reliant on Hannah Hidalgo to score and defensively, can't defend the elite post players you start to see regularly at this stage of the tournament, starting with TCU's Sedona Prince. So we agree on the post play point, largely. What I think Niele Ivey has done a better job in the tourney so far than late in the season is how well and how often she rotates those frontcourt players. She's been able to keep them fresh and also ride the hot hands, and each of them brings something a little different to the equation. As far as the metrics, I haven't had a chance to study that ... BUT, if ND makes the Final Four, I'll promise you a story on that topic. Deal?

Paul from Knoxville

2:11

Hello Eric: First time I've been on-time to submit questions, but I read the chats regularly -- thank you for doing them! A couple of WBB Qs. First, if the Lady Irish make it to the Final Four, what or who do you think would be the reason(s)? Similarly, if they don't, what would be most likely to stop them? I personally think post play is the key the deeper we go, and ours has been inconsistent at best (with the remarkable exception of Liatu King who punches well above her height imo). Secondly, is there any data on metrics in which WBB national champions typically excel, like the 5 metrics you sometimes reference for football? It would be interesting to see whether and how we match up this year.

Eric Hansen

OK, I'll answer a few women's BB questions and then finish up with football.

2:11

Ryan, until they get into pads, which we will see tomorrow, I won't be able to give you an honest assessment. So if you can be patient with me, I'll give you a better answer in the next chat. As far as the WBB players, great team wins in the first couple of rounds. I know Maddy would like to do better than 1-for-9 from the field, and knowing her, she will do better moving forward.

Ryan Frankfort illinois

2:09

Good afternoon Eric with practice already started how has Donovan hinish looked. Also what do you think about the play Of Hannah Hidalgo and Sonia Citron Oliva miles and Maddy Westbeld GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈🏀🏀

Eric Hansen

2:09

Ed, the fact that he came back for a sixth year means both Kevin and the coaching staff believes it's a question worth getting to the bottom of and that there's a fighting chance it can happen. This spring should go a long way to providing the answer, in part because there's only three healthy scholarship TEs on campus this spring, so he will get an opportunity to show what he can do. Already a great comeback story and could get even better.

Ed from Sayville

2:06

Hi Eric. I think one of the more interesting stories from a perseverance perspective is Kevin Bauman. Should he remain healthy, in what ways might he help the team next year? I’m really rooting for him to have a memorable final season.

Eric Hansen

2:05

Thank you Bill ... and a little bit of a trick question here, because this spring No. 15 is ... Anthony Rezac, the walk-on QB and twin brother of linebacker Teddy Rezac. But you are clear you meant Leonard Moore, who is now one of two No. 2s. I would still take Love in a foot race. But Moore has elite speed too, plus length, plus toughness and great instincts. I think he's a future All-American. ... As for receiver, I think there are guys who have that kind of speed but have not yet shown to be that total package, and that's what this spring is about ... developing that speed so that it translates into production for players like KK Smith, Cam Williams, freshman Elijah Burress, Will Pauling and Jordan Faison when he isn't playing lacrosse. I'm eager to see June arrival Malachi Fields and what kind of speed he brings to the boundary side. He sure had nice production at Virginia.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:00

Eric, as always thanks for your expertise and willingness to continue these chats thru the Spring!!!! Who is faster #4 or #15? We all know that J Love is a track star whose speed has translated very well to the gridiron along with his impressive grit, but I’ve been impressed with L Moore’s ability to run down players from the opposite side of the field. Also does ND have a wide receiver with similar speed to “scare” other defenses?

Eric Hansen

1:59

Hi Tom. Long days, but fun days. But I think my grandkids put my picture on a milk carton. ... Only six of the eight are in South Bend for spring practice. The two who are not, with academics to finish, are WR Malachi Fields (Virginia) and TE Ty Washington (Arkansas). Of the six who are here, safety Jalen Stroman (Va Tech) is out, and WR Will Pauling (Wis.) is limited/modified, but he looks good so far in the non-contact stuff. As far as kicker Noah Burnette, the Cliffs Notes version is he was better and healthier in 2023 (19-of-20) than he was in 2024 (15-of-21 on field goals). A full story is HERE that gives you more details.... As far as two-back formations, I think some of that will happen regardless of what's happening with the tight ends or wide receivers. If he can find mismatches against certain teams by doing so, he won't be shy about using those. Thanks for being part of the chats and for putting up with my weird spring schedule. I appreciate you.

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

1:51

Hi Eric, have you been able to catch your breath after the two WBB wins last weekend wrapped around the start of Spring football practice?? Of the 8 portal transfers into ND how many will be able to fully participate in Spring drills?? It seems there were some still finishing their degrees and a couple of others with minor injuries to rehab that will limit them. What is the scouting report on the kicker from UNC? The previous transfers kickers have all been very good and I hope that he can continue that success. With the proven playmakers in the RB group, if not enough of the WR's show themselves to be playmakers could you see Denbrock using two back formations more often?? Thanks for working around what must be a very hectic time to spend with these Chats. Appreciate it. Go Irish!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:51

Hi Rick. We're getting D-line coach Al Washington during our interview time Wednesday after practice and likely Loghan Thomas and Sean Sevillano, so we can ask them directly about the weight fluctuations. But Alexa Appelman, who heads ND's nutrition team, is very well thought of inside the program and from the outside looking in, and has helped a lot of players get to their ideal dimensions.

Rick Altadena, CA

1:45

Hey Eric thanks for taking my question. I was wondering about the initial weigh in to start spring camp. Loghan Thomas is down a good amount of weight from last season when he was already undersized. Also Sean Sevillano is up weigh almost 20 lbs. How much on a impact does Notre Dame nutritional program have on the football team?

Eric Hansen

1:45

Finally, Riley Leonard was a better fit for that O-line last year. But he may have been a better fit for the Quenton Nelson/Mike McGlinchey line too. I don't think this O-line makeup will have any factor in who becomes the QB this time or vice versa. ... I hope I covered all the bases. You can let me know if I misinterpreted the questions.

1:42

There can be surprises ... just look at last August, but if someone is going to bump Wagner, Schrauth, Jagusah, Craig or Knapp, it's most likely to come from the Guerby Lambert, Sullivan Absher, Will Black pool. Upside does matter, but you need to see enough of it in practice reps to make that move.

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