JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 5, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 5, 2025

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Eric Hansen

1:00

Hi Kevin, what I like about the ACC settlement with Clemson and Florida State in keeping the ACC together until at least the next decade is that the unequal revenue distribution still has a merit element to it. It doesn't just shift fund in Clemson's and FSU's direction based on their brand, it makes them -- or anyone else earn it. That I like.

Kevin-Sleepy Eye, Mn

12:58

Eric:):):):):) What do you know about the latest settlement with Clemson, FSU and the ACC? Like it? I think it makes sense to base payouts off of tv ratings.

Eric Hansen

12:58

The fact that ND had a good enough roster to play for a national title means something must be going right and they didn't do it with only players for higher-rated earlier classes. 2) The two position groups that need to get a consistent boost in recruiting are wide receiver and defensive line. 3) I do think the recruiting rankings have value, but they're not the end-all, be-all predictor in who is going to be great individually.

12:55

Hi Dave. We are Rivals, so I have a lot more faith in our ranking system than 247's. And since we don't use anything that equates a 90 (much different type of scale), I can't even convert the numbers. So I guess the best answer I can give you is in more general terms. 1) Yes, there is room for improvement in high school recruiting, but what even those perhaps flawed numbers don't show is key transfer portal additions and retention. You mentioned Chansi Stuckey. Let's look at his strong WR haul in the 2023 class, three top 160 prospects and three-star KK Smith. After one year, two of the top 160 guys -- Rico Flores Jr. and Braylon James were gone. So fit matters, need matters, retention really matter. (more)

Dave in KY

12:42

Freeman's first big recruiting classes in 2022 and 2023 classes had 8 or fewer players rated 90 or less on 247. 2024 had 15. 2025 had 12. 2026 already has 7, which is the total class so far. What's happening there? I thought ND was finally getting its house in order with NIL and the playoff run should be helping. He has said he doesn't want to rely on the transfer portal but his recruiting has dropped off from the hot start when he first came to ND. Was Chansi Stuckey or someone else who left maybe more important than we realized?

Eric Hansen

12:42

So when Denbrock shows WR recruits film, he shows them ND's offense but also the 2023 LSU offense that he ran, because that's what he's trying to get to. He wants to be able to play chess and put people into check mate. He couldn't do that this year. And so he had to call the game that provided the best counterpunch to what defenses were trying to do. Often that meant running Leonard a lot. Hope that makes sense.

12:41

Notre Dame has some counterpunches, especially as the offensive line evolved and Riley Leonard progressed at QB. So they had options/. But they did not have what Ohio State had ... all those things -- O-Line, RBs, QB who could run and throw ... plus an elite thrower (Howard was 3rd in pass efficiency) and an elite WR corps. And their TE was OK. Penn State didn't have the WRs for instance. Indiana didn't have the running game. Georgia didn't have the QB or offensive players who were really scary at the skill positions. (more)

12:38

Hi Tom. I don't remember that quote off the top of my head and I don't want to slow the chat to a halt to go look for it, so I am going to do two things in answering it ... going to assume you are presenting it in the correct context. And I'm going to answer it more generically than specific to that game. When defensive coordinators face an offense, they want to look for things to take away and force that offense to play "left-handed" ... play to its weaknesses. Sometimes you have to give up a lot to accomplish that as a defense. Sometimes not. (more)

Tom from Grand Rapids

12:29

Eric, appreciate the chats and looking forward to another year of ND football. I believe it was after the psu game, Coach Denbrock said he called the game he needed to, not the game he wanted to. When does this team get to the latter? If you have asked him this question, what was stopping him? Also does this team have the personnel to stretch the field, anytime soon? I understand the Oline is stacked, and the running back stables are overflowing, but it appears this team potentially/finally has a qb who can throw a 50 yard pass. Question is, who will be there to catch it…….

Eric Hansen

12:28

Robert, thank you and because that was such a cool compliment, the no bare feet and no gambling rules has been rescinded for you and you only for the rest of March! Seriously, thanks for this.

Robert, Dunedin,FL

12:27

No questions today, but just want to thank you for all your efforts holding these chats. In a world that can get a tad crazy at times, you provide an excellent chance to decompress and enjoy your takes regarding a great team and university. Rock on my brother!

Eric Hansen

12:24

Hi Bob. Those are really two different questions. Recruiting ... and related support roles. Because the recruiting duties are going to require a different skill set than someone who may understand salary cap and direct payments, etc. But as with a lot of these questions where someone might be looking for a non-gray answer, it is gray. These tend to be collaborative decisions. I would think Martin wouldn't have a lot of recruiting connection in college and so he'd lean on Marcus Freeman and director of recruiting Carter Auman. And if it's something where an NFL skill set makes sense, I would think Martin has people in mind for those roles.

Bob (Oxnard, CA)

12:21

Hi Eric, do you think our new GM will bring in his own people to assist him in recruiting and related support roles (albeit with Freeman’s input/approval)? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

12:21

In that scenario, I could see Minchey staying, because there could be a role for him as a red zone option. But if two QBs leave, Marcus Freeman would have Carr, freshman Blake Hebert and ... he could convert Tyler Buchner back to QB, and Anthony Rezac is much better than your run-of-the-mill walk-on QB. He could also tap the spring portal and get an Ivy League QB or a guy who could help you but is willing to be a backup. And if all four stay, then Marcus can sit in his recliner and do nothing.

12:18

Hi Kevin. Thanks for "getting me." I think that no matter who wins the No. 1 QB job, it's reasonable to expect ND to lose someone. Two? Possible, but I don't think probable. But let's play each of those scenarios through and see what that looks like. Let's say CJ Carr wins the job, which is my early prediction and subject to change depending what I see in the 15 spring practices. Steve Angeli will get his degree in May and he's been a No. 2 the past two seasons. For him to see what else is out there makes sense, but in doing so, he won't have spring practice to learn an offense and there may not be as many good landing spots as there were in December/January. (more)

Kevin from Calgary

12:14

Eric! The quarterback battle this spring and perhaps beyond, has me both intrigued and suffering anxiety. I’m anxiously and excitedly awaiting to learn the direction the Irish will go this fall at the position but equally concerned that the winner (or at least the early leader out of spring practice) could push one or both of the other two into the portal. How much of a chance do you think we could lose both Angeli and Minchey if Carr (for example) becomes the obvious heir apparent before the next transfer period? And what options do you think coach Freeman has to try to prevent it happening, or dealing with it if it does? As always, thanks for the great chats!!! (And thanks for making me laugh out loud with your answer last week about ND independence).

Eric Hansen

12:13

As far as whether GM Mike Martin, DC Chris Ash or RBs coach Ja'Juan Seider intrigues me the most, I'll get to meet Mike Martin at a presser tomorrow, really like Seider and what he brings, but Ash is intriguing, because there's lots to like about what he brings, but still some reasonable questions about how it'll work out and what it will look like. So Ash.

12:11

It's really hard to measure tangibly for two reasons. 1) I think by nature it's more of a subtle phenomenon. I don't think it's going to be THE factor for kids to choose ND but it can be a big factor in getting their initial; interest or sparking enough interest to take a recruiting visit. 2) What has also maybe mitigated the impact is that ND has lost GM Chad Bowden and some other key support positions, like Caleb Davis. So, they may be behind and playing catch-up, at least with the 2027 class. 3) What will that playoff run and the prospect of another look like when kids are splitting hairs at decision time. That may be a time when it comes into play again. (more)

12:08

Thanks Denny. As I hinted in the open, mine is finally down, and it doesn't take long to disassemble. But for those wondering, I had a deal with my grandkids that the tree would stay up until ND lost in the CFP unless they reached the title game, which they did. Once they did, the magic transferred to the WBB team. Had they continued to win, it would have transferred to the men's lacrosse team, but the WBB team did lose ... Now let's get to your questions. (more)

Denny from Beaverton Or

12:05

Hi Eric; I remember that you mentioned that your Christmas tree was still up a while back. We are in that club also but ours is coming down with the time change this Sunday!. With Notre Dames's deep run into the playoffs, can you and Tyler see an definite boost in the quality and quantity of recruits interested in the Irish this cycle? Of all the off season hires this winter, which new staff member intrigues you the most? It is fun having you to bounce things off of. Thank you

Eric Hansen

OK, off we go ...

12:05

And yes, you can ask Women's Basketball questions, since I cover that team too and we're in March. I'll likely answer those later in the chat.

Remember, the "no drinking" rule continues to be in mothballs.

Here are the rules:

12:04

12:03

Please include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question(s). Guest is neither a name, nor a hometown.

As far as this week's chat ...

► 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.

12:02

Now that I am adequately caffeinate, some quick programming notes:

12:01

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, "I Finally Took My Christmas Tree Down" edition.

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