JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat May 4, 2022 | 5/4/2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat May 4, 2022

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Eric Hansen

3:09

That's it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll do this later in the month and I'll let you know when via Twitter and our Facebook page.

3:08

Matt: 1. If the cornerback play improves in August, it's playoff-worthy. 2. Physicality, consistency, intelligence (understanding fronts, protections, combo blocks). Unselfishness. 3. Yes. Still must continue his improvement. 4. Styles is an NFL receiver. The rest have to prove that. 5. He does EVERYTHING well. And he'll play all over the place.

Matt from Kansas City, MO

3:04

Multi-part, but quick Questions. 1. Is our defense national title contender caliber? 2. What traits do you think Coach Hiestand is looking for in choosing our starting Guards as the rest of the line seems set? 3. Have you seen traits in Tyler Buchner that makes you think he can be great, not just man the position? 4. Are our WRs legit NFL caliber prospects we are just not very deep or is the receiving corps thin on top caliber talent also? 5. How is Michael Mayer as a blocker, or do you think we likely split him wide quite a bit this year?

Eric Hansen

Last one.

3:04

You are not alone in your thinking. And it's because NIL is being used in ways it wasn't intended. And weak, weak leadership from Mark Emmert of the NCAA.

Tom from Maryland

3:03

Comment: NIL is destroying college football and if substantial changes aren't made soon, it will destroy college football.

Eric Hansen

3:03

I think Coan is enough of an asset to make the practice squad. I think that's a good place to start. I'll be honest, I was not impressed when ND landed him and he absolutely won me over during the course of last season. I'd take a guy like that on my team any day.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

3:01

Eric, Having grown up in Indianapolis, I am a Colts fan but living in the Atlanta area I also follow the Falcons. Was very happy to see Matt Ryan go to the Colts. I also think Indy is a great place for Jack Coan to begin his career. What do expect from Coan with the Colts?? Thanks. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

3:01

Ron, justifiably so, I am going to get this question evey week, multiple times, until he makes a decision. I still think Notre Dame is his most likely destination and that flipping a QB like ND has done in the past (Wimbush, Book, Clark to name a few), would be the backup plan.

Ron delaware

3:00

Just joined and this may have been asked Eric but what happens if D Moore does not commit. It seems the whole success of the class is banking on his joining the Irish. Your thoughts.

Eric Hansen

3:00

Jacob, I'm not good with uniform questions. I haven't asked him and he hasn't told me. I do understand the curiosity. Usually, a coach will have a voice in such decisions.

Jacob, Hobart, IN

2:58

Has Coach Freeman said anything about uniform changes now that he's in charge? Does the head coach even make those decisions?

Eric Hansen

2:58

Hi Stan. ND has already sorted through some. Harrison Wellmann from Johns Hopkins, offered a walk-on entry, chose a full offer from Duke. Arizona State WR Ricky Pearsall told our Tyler James there was initital mutual interest with ND, but it turns out he is not a grad transfer and the match was not there, so the Irish were trimmed from his finalists. UCF's Jaylon Robinson was an apparent fit, but the Irish haven't been able to gain traction with him. Now that the portal deadline has passed, we'll have a pretty good feel in the coming week or so with new options.

Stan from Chester

2:51

Hello Eric --- Now that the transfer portal is shut for eligibility in this coming season, have you heard any scuttlebutt about who the Irish might be looking at? Who, among the possibles, do you feel might be the best fit at WR and CB, and is there anyone else who you think may wind up in the Blue and Gold?

Eric Hansen

2:51

Some players are legitimately going to look at it that way. If they can be better developed with a better surrounding cast, they stand to make much more financially with their first NFL contract than they would have with an NIL deal. Not everyone has the same agenda. And it's not all about the money. What if a West Coast standout got an NIL deal fo a private jet to bring his family to the games for free? What's that worth? Is there a potential for an arms race for some kids? Absolutely. But ND believes it just needs to be competitive in the NIL space with all it has to offer. It doesn't need to be the highest bidder.

2:47

Jose, I answered the first part of your question, but wanted to address your thoughts and concerns beyond the first part. To repeat, the majority of UNDERCLASS transfers won't be a fit for ND because of transferring credits issue. That was the case before NIL and remains the case now. Notre Dame is on equal footing with grad transfers. Players have all kinds or reasons for entering the portal -- playing time, geography, player development and yes NIL. Brandon Joseph transferred to ND because he felt it would enhance his chances of becomeing a first-roound NFL Draft pick. (more)

Jose from Albuquerque, NM

2:41

An all-portal question! Do the Irish have any shot at Jordan Addison from Pitt? We need playmakers at Wide Receiver and he's arguably the best in the country. If we don't have a shot, why not (this goes to a previous question you answered of mine regarding NIL)? If we can't outbid USC, what are we doing incorrectly? Let's not pretend that's not the issue at play. He's a first round pick wherever he plays this season - so why transfer unless you want a bidding war? I know the "old guard" of ND fans will argue this isn't the meaning of college athletics. While I agree with them, I also don't care - I want the Irish to win a national championship. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:41

Ced, every recovery is different, but based on past labrum surgeries with recent ND players Diggs will not be back for summer workouts. For August training camp? That would be on the most optimistic end of the recovery timeline.

cederickwalker

2:40

ced walker saginaw michigan great friends with tory jackson will running back logan diggs be ready for summer workouts and fall camp the golden standard rally we are nd go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen

2:39

You mentioned networking and mentoring, and there was all kinds of that going on Blue-Gold weekend. Several of the recruits mentioned it to our Kyle Kelly in their post-visit interviews. It was a game-changer for some. I reached out with a email-a-friend lifeline to see if something on a smaller scale could be in the work for the June 10 recruit-a-palooza weekend. I don't have an answer yet as to whether something structured is in place, albeit on a smaller scale. The ND Football Fantasy Camp directly precedes that weekend so maybe the alums who come for that could be persuaded to stick around. ... As long as they are on campus, they can interact per NCAA rules.

Pete Cuozzo ND ‘82, Naples FLa

2:32

Hi Eric, I thought ND’s/MF’s idea to bring back nearly 300 football alums to the Blue-Gold game was brilliant. No better way IMO to showcase “4-for-40“ than that. Beyond some of the alums attending practices, what other ways do you think we can leverage that treasure trove of talent, networking and mentorship in the future both for recruiting purposes as well as for the current players? The weekend of June 10th comes to mind as another great opportunity but not sure if there are NCAA restrictions in terms of official visits, etc.? Thanks…as always!

Eric Hansen

2:32

If Notre Dame makes the playoff in 2022, Tyler Buchner will be one of the reasons why. They won't make it in spite of him if he does not play well, even with a pretty strong roster overall.

Kevin Singleton

2:31

What are your thoughts on Tyler Buchner right now? Do you think we will win because of him or do you just think we will win while he is our quarterback (him not necessarily being a reason why)?

Eric Hansen

2:31

Overall Notre Dame produced 10 first-round draft picks in the 12-year Kelly Era after producing just 2 in the 12 years that proceeded it. That's progress. The position breakdown of those 10: 2 WRs, 2 safeties, 1 DT, 4 O-linemen, 1 tight end.

2:29

Let's look at more recent history first. I think with WRs, there have been peaks and valleys with recruiting but retention and player development under deposed WR coach Del Alexander was lacking. That's my opinion. I think former CB coach Todd Lyght was a very good developer of talent but fell short as a recruiter. Which is still puzzling if you've ever met Todd. I don't agree the trend will continue for the foreseeable future. Chansi Stuckey has already landed a top 100 WR in Braylon James, probably leads for two more in Jaden Greathouse and Rodney Gallagher and has more in play beyond those three. Jaden Mickey was a nice pickup in the 2022 cycle and Jayden Bellamy shows early promise too. There are still some promsing prospects showing mutual interest in 2023 (more).

Joey G. Phila,Pa

2:22

Hi Eric, Hope all is well! In the last 50 years of the NFL draft ND hasn’t produced many 1st round draft picks at the WR or CB position. I believe it’s less than 10 combined. Why is it ND WR’s & CB’s seem to always be ND’s weakest position group year in and year out?And it seems this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. Is it recruiting or coaching that has failed to deliver 1st round NFL talent at these positions?

Eric Hansen

2:21

Louis. You and I perceive what's happening in the 2023 class very differently. In the post-Holtz Era (1997-present), I have not seen an Irish class start this strong and have the promise of carrying that momentum throughout the cycle. Now none of the previous ones had the NIL monster in the room either. Moore and Gray are taking visits. I still think they're more likely than not to end up at ND. If the Irish lose out on Moore, there aren't many easy/attractive options other than trying to flip a QB in someone else's class. I think ND has multiple attractive cornerback options beyond Gray, although having him in the class is a priority. Let's wait til July 4 before we consider edging out onto the ledge.

Louis from Lansing

2:17

With Dante Moore trending away from ND more and more every day, what is their next move? They missed the boat with Vizzina, and I don't see any other elite options. Same with corner and Christian Gray. The 2 problem positions (in my opinion) for the Irish, and they have 0 answers in the 2023 class so far. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

Most, still think he'll end up at USC and that an NIL deal will be the driving force.

2:16

I miss Manny from San Pedro as well. Not sure he knows how to find me here. ... So let's look at Jordan Addison in its entirety. He was the No. 82 receiver in the 2020 class the cycle in which the Irish took Jordan Johnson, Xavier Watts and Jay Brunelle. Johnson (UCF) and Brunelle (Yale) left ND before their sophomore seasons. Watts was converted to a safety. The Irish recruited Addison to play cornerback. The good news is he inititally was an academic fit, but undergrad transfers are often not fits. In Pete Thamel's ESPN article, it was stated that Addison was open to all suitors, including a return to Pitt. (more)

Kevin-Sleepy Eye,mn

2:09

Eric!! (I miss Manny:) Would we purse Addison?

Eric Hansen

2:09

There are more Jordan Addison questions and will tease those out next ... I think the perhaps oversimplified answer is continue with Marcus Freeman's plan/vision, which is working while being competitive in the NIL space. AND hope that the task force I mentioned in the last question actually has some teeth and can affect change effectively and quickly.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:05

Hi Eric, Kudos to your comment last week on the “shortness of my question”. Two comments and then your thoughts after these two recent revelations. Georgia had 15 NFL draft picks with 5 defenders going in the first round. ND obviously is short of that level of talent. Pitt Biletnikoff SO. WR Addison is rumored to be heading to USC in the transfer portal for Off the chart NIL money. How Does ND handle the talent gap especially in thisWild West transfer portal NIL environment?

Eric Hansen

2:05

perceive as protecting them, which would mean national legislation is needed and/or some fierce court battles.

2:04

Hi Marie. I hope YOU are having a great week. For the most part, no. The exception is if you're a WR considering Ohio State and ND, and Ohio State has two receivers and a transfer go back to back to back in the first round ... and the best receiver may still be on the Buckeyes' roster. ... and ND's best wide receiver went undrafted. Other than that. ND had nine players drafted in 2021 and will have another large draft class next year. ... To your QB question, I think the 2024s won't commit (at least not en masse) until some more of the 2023 dominoes fall. Since ND leads for Carr and he seems like the preferred option. I'd wait on Carr. ... To your NCAA question, college football can't wait until Mark Emmert stops drawing a paycheck for having his thumb up his .... ear. There needs to be urgency now. SI's Ross Dellenger wrote about this the other day. University administrators have put together a task force to address proposed limits of NIL soon. The issue is the state laws which some collectives (more)

Marie from Atlanta

1:49

Hi Eric, I hope you are having a great week. Do you think he fact that only 2 ND players were drafted will have an effect on recruiting? Since Dante Moore has not yet committed, and there is not a great back up plan if he goes elsewhere, if you are ND and Julian Sayin is ready to commit do you take it even thought CJ Carr is probably preferred? Also, suspend reality momentarily, you have just been named Mark Emmett's replacement what would you propose immediately and over the next 1-2 years to get pay for play under control? I fear this may be the beginning of the end for college football as we know it. Thanks for hosting the chat and the great insights.

Eric Hansen

1:49

Mary Louise. I thought that before the draft. He did not ask my opinion.

Mary Louise- Youngstown, Ohio

1:48

Now that the NFL draft has concluded, do you think Kevin Austin would have been better served staying at Notre Dame for 1 more season?

Eric Hansen

1:47

Jeff. Thanks. All good here. Notre Dame did its exit interviews last week I believe before the assistant coaches his the road. If players wanted to transfer without waiting or waivers, they had to let their compliance offices know by Sunday. There was some expected administrative lag but we should know who and how many very soon. According to our handy dandy scholarship chart, Notre Dame is at 86. Even if it stayed there (and I don't expect it to), ND does have some wiggle-room scenarios to be able to get to 85 before fall classes start (the deadline to do so).

Jeff from Fort Wayne

1:39

I hope all is well with you, if you could warm it up just a bit maybe it would feel more like spring. I haven’t heard of any names being put in the transfer portal and I believe they are over the 85 limit right now. If no one transfers do you think they will force someone out? Also, do they still look for a receiver in the portal?

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