JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat May 5, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat May 5, 2021

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Eric Hansen

2:49

Mike, that's very much my take. I also think wide receiver recruiting has improved over the past couple of cycles, but wide receiver development for the players still on the roster is critical to the success of the Irish in 2021.

Guest

2:48

Mike from Santa Barbara: Greetings, Eric, thanks for livening up our Spring with the Chats and your ever-precise and well-documented analysis. Really appreciate both! Regarding Jordan Johnson’s jump to the Portal, given Kyren Williams’ sophomore comeback success after a low-key freshman year and Michael Mayer’s huge freshman season, I infer that Johnson had some fit and maturity issues rather than that there is some systemic flaw in the football program that prevents phenoms from succeeding. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:48

It says a lot about player development and yes it will help recruiting.

Caleb from Charlotte

2:47

HI Eric, what does the fact that the Irish had 9 players drafted say about the state of the ND football program? Do you think the draft success will have a positive affect on recruiting?

Eric Hansen

2:47

I think Jack Coan is capable. I think he'll improve as he meshes with his new team over the summer, gets in the playbook a little more. Drew Pyne makes really quick decisions and gets rid of the ball quickly. You can tell he's watched a lot of film and processes things lightning quick. I am smitten with Tyler Buchner. Can't wait to see what he turns into.

2:45

Jeff, I don't think we ever got the nature of Mayer's injury, but he would have played if it were a real game (and he wanted to). I don't think any of the five you mentioned will be impacted in the fall or even the summer. The only guy with missed reps who really needs them is Kevin Austin. I don't think it will be a chemistry issue. ... Even if Patterson were present, ND still would have been auditioning guys to fill in around him, Lugg and Correll.

Lee from Lancaster, SC

2:45

Eric, now that you've had an opportunity to see them play, what's your impression of the ND quarterbacks?

Jeff from Phoenix

Eric, great job with the draft coverage, thanks! After watching the BG game, I have 2 questions on injuries. First and foremost, exactly why was Mike Mayer listed as "80%" and when will he be 100%. Also, I now count 5 high impact players that were out for a chunk of spring practice (Patterson/Mayer/Austin/White/Hamilton), and I wonder if you think the lack of reps will be a significant problem for team chemistry in the fall?

2:43

Sorry, will resend, I am an idiot.

2:41

Eric, great job with the draft coverage, thanks! In seeing the BG game, it helped me visualize the team for longer than the short practice video clips, and now my question is regarding current injured players and impact in the fall. First, why exactly was Mike Mayer deemed "80%" and when will he be 100%. Then, I count 5 high impact players as injured for spring practice (Patterson/Mayer/Austin/White/Hamilton). Does this concern you that a lot of reps were missed in the spring and rust

Eric Hansen

2:39

Thanks, Larry. I love all the questions, but I love this one a lot. I think it would be a mistake for Tyler Buchner to be a scout team QB in 2021, and I believe Rees/Kelly think so too. I think Ron Powlus III could fill that role and would benefit from it.

Guest

2:37

Larry from Topton, PA. In the latest Pod of Gold, Tom Lemming mentioned that until ND develops a top notch QB, it is unlikely top-of-the class QB recruits will see ND as a path to the NFL (these guys are not hoping to be 4th round draft picks). BK has had a few highly ranked recruits (Crist, Wimbush, PJ), but none of them were any better at the end of their ND careers, than at the beginning. To me, starting a highly rated QB recruit on scout team is a bad way to begin their career, and has them playing catch up from the start. Whether Tyler Buchner is 2nd or 3rd string, how likely is it that he will be relegated to scout team this season? Thanks Eric, you are the best!

Eric Hansen

2:37

Who says the quarterback play is going to be poor? And if that really was the case, the answer would be no.

Joe from Reno

2:36

9 draftees is outstanding. 5 free agent signings great also. The class of 2022 is looking marvelous. This year not so much. Do the IRISH have enough talent to modify the offense due to poor QB play?

Eric Hansen

2:36

Nailed it.

Mike from Rochester NY

2:35

Hi, Eric, I hope you and your family are doing well. I’m sure you’re getting lots of questions and rants about Jordan Johnson entering the transfer portal. While I’m disappointed to see any player with this level of talent leave the program, I’m not gnashing my teeth over it because it indicates to me that he couldn’t turn that talent into a constant high level of performance in all the aspects of wide receiver, including route running, blocking, always being assignment-correct, etc. We also have a lot of other talented hard-working players at that position to soften blow, if it is a blow since it wasn’t clear he had cracked the two-deep yet. A lot of people seem to forget that star ratings don’t always turn into stardom. Am I missing something here?

Eric Hansen

2:34

Megat, Notre Dame will have plenty of receivers -- 10 -- when Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie arrive next month. ... Jameson Williams is the Ohio State receiver transferring to Alabama. ND did not offer him a scholarship coming out of high school in St. Louis. They only landed two in that 2019 cycle, Kendall Abdur-Rahman, who recently transferred to Western Kentucky, and Cam Hart, who's now a cornerback.

Megat Muzaffar, KL, Malaysia

2:26

Hi Eric, how many WR do we need in 2022 with Jordan Johnson entering the transfer portal. By the way, a WR from Ohio State transfers to Alabama today. Was he on our recruit list before?

Eric Hansen

2:25

I think this offensive line can be better than average in 2021 and really good in 2022. It will likely show growth and improvement during the season.

2:24

Marie, thanks and yes I really did enjoy being back in the stadium watching actual football and not 180-second clips of it. My sense is I'll do a chat near the end of May and a couple in June in part because June is going to be a monumental month for recruiting. ... Brian Kelly mentioned that by splitting up the teams, he hoped to put the offensive players in difficult positions. Mission accomplished. There as not the chemistry you might normally see in a practice. For that position group, the goal was not polish and cohesiveness. It was trying to identify a pecking order (2 through 8) behind Patterson at No. 1. ... especially 3-4-5. Now this summer will be about starting to address the deficiencies you accurately identified. ... I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss new offensive grad assistant Trevor Mendelson. He's not your average grad assistant. He's been coaching since 2015 and left a full-time position on FCS school Richmond to come to ND as its offensive line assistant, technically a grad assistant.(more)

Marie from Atlanta

2:10

Hi Eric, I hope you enjoyed the live football! Help me not press the panic button on the O line. I understand about chemistry and all the new players...., and I don't know that much about O line play, but I thought I saw some poor technique and fundamentals, including footwork. These are the kind of things that are supposed to be worked out in the Spring. Did you feel the same way and if so what can be done about it? Can ND hire a consultant/analyst to help with Oline technique? I don't think the new grad assistant is enough to get the job done. In your opinion what are the floor and the ceiling for the Oline in 2021? Thanks again for hosting all the chats, I know I speak for everyone when I say we are sad to see the weekly chats end for awhile.

Eric Hansen

2:10

Ann Marie, thanks so much for the feedback. I think because I can come up with lots of examples to your first question is one of the reasons ND has been to the College Football Playoff two of the last three years. I'd say Kyle Hamilton and Kyren Williams are two of the best examples. Athletic and intelligent, motivated. In Hamilton's case, freakish length and instincts. In Kyren's freakish determination and leadership. ... To your second question, understanding not only your position but the others around you certainly can help push one up the depth chart.

Ann Marie, Bridgeport, CT

2:05

Hi, Eric. Love you and Tyler on the Pod of Gold Podcasts and look forward to these Wednesday chats, as well. When you think of traits, who on the current roster would you say exemplifies what Brian Kelly and his coaches want to see in players and recruits? Besides athleticism and academics, are there any other intangibles that would help a player move to the top of the depth chart? Thanks and go Irish!

Eric Hansen

2:04

RC, I am enjoying the spring like I never have before. Thanks for asking. ... When you talk to pro scouts about Foskey, they see a future high-round pick. I do too. And while there's a jump from being a situational player to the starter, it's a jump I feel he will handle. I think this spring was about fine-tuning his game to meet those expectations. That includes some growing pains. I also think one reason you didn't hear as much about him is because the media wasn't in practice. I think this is a really astute question, because there wasn't a lot of talk about Isaiah. But I think you will like what you see from him in August and beyond.

RC from Albany

2:00

Hi Eric - I hope that you are enjoying the Spring. Isaiah Foskey had some big moments last season but he also appeared to fade down the stretch. It appears that he had a relatively quiet Spring and BG game. I always thought he had one of the higher ceilings on the team but I am beginning to wonder. What are you hearing from those inside the program? Thanks as always

Eric Hansen

2:00

I'm trying to figure out what ND will do with Jarrett Patterson, its best offensive lineman at the moment and also its most experienced. I think Jeff Quinn would have trouble answering your questions until we watch a healthy Patterson play with the other combinations. My very wild stab at this is: LT Patterson, LG Spindler, C Correll, RG Lugg, LT Fisher.

Terry from Cincinnati

1:57

After studying the Blue & Gold game, what is your pre-season prediction for the starting offensive line?

Eric Hansen

1:57

Manny, it's always nice to see you and your exclamation points. Now, I disagree with your thought about Brian Kelly not liking young players. That's a hard sell when he's got two true freshmen at the top of the depth chart on the offensive line and played three freshmen in significantly high-leverage situations last year (Tyree, Mayer, Lewis). There has to be a standard that the best players play. It's not like Brian Kelly id guaranteeing them playing time in the recruiting process -- just an opportunity. Again, I think at all schools players are going to be a little more knee-jerk in their transfer decisions. But there are consequences, and one of those right now is many more players jumping into the portal than the number who are able to find suitable landing spots.

Manny from San Pedro

1:53

Eric!!!!!!! I’m sure this will be the topic of every conversation. But why does Brian not like Young players. Everywhere else talent wins out but at Notre Dame you can be a loaded with talent but if you are a senior who knows the playbook you play. Now that there is no penalty for transferring do you think we won’t be able to develop players because they will jump due to lack of playing time?!?!?!?!?

Eric Hansen

1:52

Bob, the reason you're not informed is because NO ONE is informed. Because the NCAA largely abdicated its responsibility on name, image, likeness, you've got a patchwork of state legislatures addressing those issues in different ways with the hope that Congress will unify that. So there's no clarity of what it will look like, other than the fact that it's coming soon in some form or fashion. ND, rest assured, is getting ahead of the curve and will be ready. Remember, this isn't about offering players a salary. It's giving them the opportunity to make money off their name, image and likeness.

Bob - Wyoming,Pa

1:44

I'm not well informed about the NCAA or Notre Dames stance of "Pay To Play". I haven't seen anything about paying player's or what Notre Dame approach to this issue will be. Can you please update me on what is the latest on this issue? Thanks and you are do a great job of keeping us subway alum informed.

Eric Hansen

1:44

Ryan, Donavan Hinish — a standout junior defensive tackle — has not verbally committed to ND yet, but I do expect him to end up in the Irish 2022 recruiting class.

Ryan mars pa

1:43

Good afternoon Eric watched the blue and gold game to see hinish and carmody and everyone else play good do we get hinish’s brother go Irish

Eric Hansen

1:43

James, we're already seeing that momentum in other areas ... concerts, pro sports, Broadway reopening, so yes it's moving in that direction quickly and decisively. ... Again if you want to kind of extrapolate how things might look in the fall, look at Israel now. They're ahead of us in vaccinations, and normalcy is getting more embedded by the day. Notre Dame will announce its ticket plan later this month. We'll likely get the logistics at that time. (That includes tailgating, etc.)

James from Columbus

1:39

Hi Eric. Any hope that the stadium will be full with us out-of-towners next fall? If so, what precautions should we expect? Thanks and enjoy a little time off.

Eric Hansen

1:39

Kevin, this is so broad, it's really difficult to answer in a chat format ... I think two significant points you sort of hinted at. I think once athletic budgets recover, you'll see resources at ND expand when it comes to recruiting. I also think the GUG expansion Phase II will gain its footing again. Those changes/additions are much more pragmatic than cosmetic. And I see the push toward an expanded playoff as very real, which will help ND with some very ambitious scheduling it has coming up over the rest of this decade. ... As far as the grandkids and hugging them again, I can't put into words how much they and I have benefited from that. My 2-year-old granddaughter even said she'd do my taxes, she was so happy (they're already done).

Kevin

forgot to add: Kevin from Roxbury NJ

1:33

Eric, isn't it great to hug the grandkids again? My question is about the post COVID college football world (whenever that is). Before 2020, there was an arms race for facilities, the size of the coaching/analyst staffs were growing and salaries were escalating. In addition, gameday attendance was declining, games were getting too long (my opinion) and the playoffs were killing the bowl games excitement. Throw in the ESPN hype machine around the bowl games and NIL - my head hurts. What do you see the post COVID college football world looking like? (Maybe Nostradamus has an online chat for that.) Stay well.

Eric Hansen

1:32

If Notre Dame is able to upgrade its recruiting and layer talent, that's ultimately going to have to be the buy-in they seek. ... My final thought is Watts if he's healthy need to see progress, needs to see development and should be worked in when he can to reward that and to accelerate that development.

1:31

For the record, I think both Watts and Styles are ahead of JJ right now. I am convinced Styles has a higher ceiling than Johnson. Maybe Watts does too. What little of him I've seen, I like a lot. ... One aspect of Nick Saban's success that's overlooked is he's created a culture where great players are willing to wait their turn. Najee Harris is a great example. He was the No. 1 recruit nationally regardless of position in 2017, but he didn't play significant snaps until his junior year. The belief/culture in that program, is if you're patient, you'll get developed and your time will come. (more)

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