JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat May 4, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat May 4, 2023

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Eric Hansen

3:12

OK, sorry I have another assignment that's calling my name. So that'll have to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do this later in the month but not next week. I'll keep you posted on my Twitter.

3:10

Tim. I think when they see numbers in the 90s in the winter it's hard for them to imagine it getting down to 85 easily. It also helps inform that how many transfers ND could take at a maximum, which right now is three.

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

3:09

Eric - Why are people so preoccupied with scholarship numbers, especially in May? I don't recall any time when that has been a problem in late August. The coaches seem to always have a plan in place and contingencies for dealing with it in due time. Seems like a rather mundane thing for the average fan to be busying their mind with.

Eric Hansen

3:09

Shaun, it's hard to condense the specifics, but yes I see evidence of Marcus being more informed, more involved in the offense, having a stronger idea of what he wants, lots of signs that point to yes.

Shaun- Boston

3:08

How much better of a head coach is MF today vs a year ago? Any notable changes in something he has done that really caught your attention?

Eric Hansen

3:08

Go get a QB like Sam Hartman from the portal.

Guest

3:08

What will notre Dame do differently to improve inefficiency in the red zone?

Eric Hansen

3:07

Mike, I'd consider the offense a success if it was good enough to get Notre Dame deep into the playoff discussion. That's why they went out and got Sam Hartman and were willing to risk outgoing transfers to do that. ... Oh my, the transfer portal in other eras is scary. Cheers.

Mike, Gilbert AZ

3:05

Eric, what would you consider a success for this offense this year? Top 20? 30? Very good QB, OL and RB with improving WR room. If the portal was around when sweet Lou was coach how many of Watters, Rocket, Culver, Brooks brothers, Bettis would have stayed? Embarrassment of riches. Thanks for the chats. Cheers!

Eric Hansen

3:05

Hey Jeff. You and I both must have had our coffee spiked with the same things this morning. ... I think the only mystery player for us was Javonte Jean-Baptiste, who warmed up and didn't play. There wasn't anything new that I'm aware of that surfaced during the game that hadn't been reported on earlier. When the players get back in June, I'll have a chance to meet with Marcus and get you and everyone else up to speed on where they stand with injuries and recovery.

Jeff from Phoenix

3:02

Hey Eric, May The Fourth Be With You!!! Sorry, I had to do it....So, with the Blue/Gold game a few weeks removed, were there any significant injuries from the game that are unresolved? Some players had so few snaps it was unclear whether that was by design for some or due to getting dinged up. Thanks-

Eric Hansen

3:01

Hi Pat. Notre Dame would be happy with three and are considering a fourth. If there is a fourth, it would likely be Jason Robinson. They are looking at at least one WR I know of in the portal with three years of eligibility left, so that could affect the numbers. Right now they have nine, with only Matt Salerno with expiring eligibility. Chris Tyree has a COVID-year option but will likely be gone as well. Chansi Stuckey has said the ideal number of WRs is 10. So you can do the math from there. There are some other WRs with interest early and that interest didn't continued to build.

Pat, Buffalo Grove

2:55

With three WR commits, are there plans for one or two more? What happened to the MO guys that seemed to be linked with Carr, Wingo and McClellan?

Eric Hansen

2:54

Mike, to be fair to Marcus and Brian Kelly, the pandemic kind of pushed the reset button on all of those things and coaxed them to rethink a lot of things as life returned to normal. The tradeoff for the pep rallies is the player Mass and the long pregame player walk, where fans get to interact with the latter. I think coaches love to accommodate the fans, but also try to balance that with not doing so much outside of football that it actually negatively affects the product on the field on Saturday.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

2:51

Thank you for answering the question regarding pep rallies Eric. One per year? Frist and easiest game? I just don't believe it. Sounds like the university and coach Freeman just want to have it and get it out of the way. I love on campus pep rallies. Oh well.

Eric Hansen

2:50

Norris, the good news is I can help settle your discussion. The FUND is NOT the only NIL organization benefitting Notre Dame athletes. Off the top of my head, the Irish Players Club has also done that, specifically for football. There are others. Here's the bad news. I can't possibly break down the percentages that you'd like in a live chat format. It would even be challenging to do so in a mailbag where I had more time. I'm sorry. Since so much of our focus is football, that's really where our NIL focus is as well. I'd like to get into some stories or a story on how it works this summer. But most fans are interested in how it affects football recruiting and when there's going to be an even playing field. I hope you can forgive me.

Norris from Singer Island, FL

2:40

hi Eric, and thank you for your always thoughtful insights. Could you please help settle a long-standing discussion among some Florida Domers. Is FUND the only NIL organization benefiting ND athletes? If so, could you breakdown by percentage, the particular sports involved in the allocation of funding. If it is not the only organization, what are the others, what is the source of their funding, and what sports are benefiting from their distributions.

Eric Hansen

2:39

Bill, when you look at those patterns and answer that question, you can see why Notre Dame, with its deep stable of running backs and strong offensive line was so attractive to him. The two games in which Hartman struggled the most in 2022 were two teams that really limited Wake Forest's running game. That was NC State and Louisville. Forced into a one-dimensional offense, Hartman turned the ball over a lot against those two teams, probably trying to do too much. Against Clemson, another pretty good defense, Wake was able to run for 188 yards and Hartman threw 6 TD passes and converted 16 of 23 third downs in putting up 45 points. It's not really the blitzing. He can read that an he had answers. It's the lack of a running game that leads to turnovers and sacks and long third downs. That fits the profile of a lot of QBs,

Bill milford ct

2:26

hi Eric. What is the history on downsides to look for that defenses will try with Sam Hartman — could it be he’s vulnerable to the blitz —thanks

Eric Hansen

2:23

Hi Len, thanks for listening to the podcast and for your comments on it. Let me get to your questions. I don't anticipate an offensive lineman or defensive lineman doing what Jacob Lacey did, because most of them have already burned a redshirt year. Lacey had not, so it made sense for him to save a year and bring it with him to Oklahoma. Now could someone who hasn't redshirted at another position do that? Sure, but I don't think you'd get a run of that type of situation. I asked Marcus Freeman a while ago about the playing time to prevent a transfer question. He answered it pretty directly. I think they are more aware of trying to work younger players in, though that didn't happen as much as it could have last year. There were a lot of freshmen who didn't come close to the four-game threshold. The goal is still to win and win now, but getting worthy players more involved is on the coaches' minds. I wouldn't rule out a Spindler/Kristofic timeshare, but I am not predicting it.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:12

Hi Eric, Great podcast with Adan G. You really nailed it when you asked how ND will fare if they lose a lot of jrs to the portal each yr looking for a better situation, NIL - immediate playing time - coaches etc., and cannot replace in kind do to inability to take transfers other than freshmen or grad students. It puts even more stress on recruiting and player development. You one said ND would possibly lose a D lineman and an O lineman to the portal. That did not happen by Apr 30. As I am sure you recall Jacob Lacey left during the season but before he burned a year of eligibility. Can you see that happening for the D line or O line this Sept.? Maybe another receiver like D Colzie? Possibly the NCAA needs a taxi squad of to be eligible players to fill those in season transfers LOL. Second ?, does roster management possibly include more rotation or position sharing to keep more players in the fold? I believe Robert Hainsey shared an OL position freshman year? Your thoughts are always appreciated

Eric Hansen

2:07

Hi Sean. I valued my professional relationship with Lou. We knew each other for a long time, since 1988 when I first started at the South Bend Tribune. He was always a great resource and would drop everything to help you. i was thinking of him yesterday, because I was doing some research on ND transfers and he would have been a HUGE help. What I am grateful for is getting to know such a kind and generous spirit. That was a bigger deal than all his ND knowledge. ... As far as Dixon, recruiting is crazy. It's impossible to confirm or dispel your prediction. Until December of 2024. At which time I will have forgotten about it. Have a great time on your trip.

Sean, Schaumburg, Il

2:02

Eric, I miss Lou Somogyi. His knowledge. His pronunciation/articulation of words. His great background knowledge of everything Notre Dame. How much of a professional relationship did you have with him? What do you think he'd think of the transfer portal? As a recruiting aside, I don't believe Davion Dixon will commit to the team in 2025. Feels similar to Robert Beal/Keon Keeley. Based on nothing more than my own beliefs of DL guys committing so early and, then, bailing. Leave for Ireland on Monday. Erin Go Bragh!!

Eric Hansen

2:02

Bill, you had a second element to your question ... about poaching. I suppose Wake Forest could accuse ND of the same thing?

2:01

So it's the same stuff that always haunted him, distance from home and school is hard. I know he'd like to end up at LSU. He would not necessarily be their No. 1 option and it's not yet a certainty that they'd take him. I expect to hear very soon if it's the case. (more)

1:59

Here's part of that story from a month ago:

“Coming in early I had a really good fall camp, really good summer, was supposed to play immediately,” Diggs recalled of the 2021 season. “I had the opportunity that I was blessed with to be able to play my freshman year.
“So, I came in and was supposed to play week 1, and I ended up getting sick (flu). I ended up not playing until [Game 6 versus Virginia Tech]. That was hard, working so hard in the offseason. You finally feel like you got there, and there’s one step backwards.
“That was a long process of me trying to battle back mentally, but over time the people here and the culture around here, it embraces you. So, it was real easy for me to snap back out of it. When it was time for my number to be called, I was ready to go out there and compete.”
AND
“It’s tough, but that’s what you sign up for when you come to Notre Dame,” he said. “You’re going to get that challenge, and I just embrace that challenge.”

1:55

OK, Bill and Joe, let me couple your questions together. The surprise isn't that Logan Diggs transferred. It was that Logan Diggs didn't do it before. The surprise was that I thought he was beyond what kept pulling him away during the recruiting process and during his first year on campus, especially. He ALWAYS had trouble with the distance. School was a challenge. Sometimes his playing time early was an issue. But when I sat down with him a few weeks ago, it felt like he had grown up and outgrown those issues. (more)

Joe,San Diego

1:47

Hi Eric, Regarding the many transfer entrys,I "guess" i understand the Buckner,Styles,Kollie moves,but am shocked by the Diggs announcement.I thought he had a very good year last season,and was poised for an even better one this year.Can you offer your thoughts on this issue? Am I missing something or does my smell test feel LSU in the background?

Bill from St Joe, Mi

1:47

Eric, I wasn’t totally surprised by Tyler Buckner moving on but surely disappointed, what really surprised me was Logan Diggs, a very talented RB that clearly would have gotten a lot of touches this year behind what should be a very good OL. What do you think was the catalyst behind that move? BTW I certainly was not happy with Tommy Reese potching next year’s (2024) likely starting QB.

Eric Hansen

1:45

Hi Mike. The answer is yes AND no. There will be one a year at home games. And it was (last year) and will be (this year) for the first home game only. Thanks for the report on the Gettysburg event.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

1:42

Hi again Eric, Love these chats, yes I do, and learn a lot bout football from your answers, truly. First, the NDC of Gettysburg on Tuesday went well with 200+ attendees. Dolly Duffy did a Q&A with coach Freeman on stage for 30 minutes after a great dinner meal. One of the last things coach Kelly did (and I liked him as coach, smart experience guy) after he changed the gold color of the helmets and changed to turf field and cancelled the Friday noon luncheon, and etc, was to eliminate the Friday night pep rallies with the all important U of Cincinnati game being the first! Many of my friends feel that was a major cause of the loss, not the UC QB. Without being flippant isn't the home crowd a huge percentage of a home game? My question is simple. Does coach Freeman have a Friday pep rally for each and EVERY home game? Please say "Yes Mike, he does" as I am attending a game this year after missing 3-4 years from 631 miles away. Thanks Eric. GO Irish !!!

Eric Hansen

1:37

J-man! I hope I understand your question/concern. As long as the ND participants were in good academic standing in the fall, they are eligible for the games after the semester ends, which is the case now. So nothing there has changed. What I am assuming you are asking is how will they deal with the championship game dates, which are a week into the spring semesters of 2025 and 2026? Other than juggling some missed classes perhaps, the same rules apply. The bigger challenge is the first-round games at the end of exam weeks in 2024 and 2025. That's on my list to ask Jack Swarbrick the next time we chat.

Jim, Topsail Island

1:32

E-man! Now that the 12 team playoff schedule has been released for the 2024 season, I'm curious as to the enrollment requirements for participants since the semis and final will occur during the spring semester. Specifically athletes who graduated in December, players moving on to the NFL, or just plain disinterested "students". I'm sure the NCAA has all of this figured out:)

Eric Hansen

1:29

Joey, this question reminds me of the one time on Twitter, instead of promoting a Live Chat, I had a typo and promoted a Love Chat, and I didn't catch it right away. So I'm glad to talk about Love finally. I'm very high on Jeremiyah Love. I think he's physically ready. The mental side is always the test. I don't want to disparage Diggs. He was a known. You knew what you were going to get from him. When he was healthy, he was extremely reliable and stood up in pressure situations well. I like Love's ceiling more, but the question is how quickly he moves in that direction. I wouldn't rule out an early impressive surge.

Joey G. Philadelphia, Pa

1:26

Hi Eric, Hope all is well! Looking at the ND RB situation after the loss of Logan Diggs to the portal. I've been hearing some good reports on Jeremiyah Love. One is that Love has a college ready body. Which will bode well for fall camp. The schedule sets up nicely for some early playing time for Love with 3 cupcakes out of the gate. I see Love getting serious carries in what should be 3 blowout victories. Personally I think Love will make ND fans forget Logan Diggs real quick. I'll put in an early prediction that Love will have at least 1 TD rushing over 50 yards in the 1 of those games. Have you heard similar reports? And what are your thoughts on Love and early playing time?

Eric Hansen

1:25

Mike, thanks for listening. Adam Gorney did indeed say that, which I think is kind of an evolution from where the star system started, which was to strictly predict success in college. That's why you see so many more QBs as five stars than earlier in the Rivals Era and why it's hard for tight ends to get five stars. I think with all recruiting services, they're a lot more diligent about tracking when they're right. And this was a good year for that. Of the 31 draft picks, 10 were five-stars, 10 were 4s, seven were 3s, three were two-stars and there was one zero-star (Witherspoon). But in 2022, there were six 5s, 16 4s, five 3s, three twos and two zero-stars.

Mike from Rochester NY

1:17

Eric, I enjoyed the podcast with Adam Gorney, thanks to you and Tyler for doing them. Adam said that 5* recruits get that rating because they project them to be first round NFL draft picks, at least that’s what I thought he said. Does Rivals track their “hitting percentage “, namely what percentage of 5*’s actually do go in the first round? Conversely, what percent of NFL first rounders were rated 5*, 4*, and 3* coming out of high school?

Eric Hansen

1:16

Kevin!!! It's being seriously discussed and the coaches are for it. My sense is it will eventually happen.

Kevin-Sleepy Eye,MN

1:15

Eric!!! Spring game question. Do you think scrimmages against another team will happen in future?? IF so I vote MIchigan:)

Eric Hansen

1:15

Stan, thanks for the compliment. The player is allowed — and encouraged — to finish out the semester. And there have been times when a player stated their intentions in the fall to transfer but needed spring and summer courses to get their ND degree first. And the school has allowed them to do that.

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