JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 18, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 18, 2020

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Eric Hansen

3:35

Get everyone to focus on exams. Have the proper practice/study/time off balance. Get everyone to focus on COVID awareness even if the students have left campus. .. .in other words, don't let down your guard and have a party.

Erik (Granger, IN)

3:33

Thanks for being here! I hope I’m not too late. What are the top three items on Brian Kelly’s bye-week to-do list?

Eric Hansen

3:33

I think some of being a successful QB in the NFL is timing, location, health and luck if you're not super gifted like Andrew Luck, etc. I think Cleveland was a bad place for BQ to land. He had an injury issue. And his window of opportunity to be a starter elsewhere closed fairly quickly. When I've talked to Brady (and Matt Leinart) about their NFL careers, that's kind of how they see it as well. I do think at some point ND will produce an NFL starter, because in today's football you almost have to have that kind of QB if you're going to make a playoff run. Almost.

Jeff Cleveland, OH

3:30

Eric, Thanks for the Overtime Edition!!!! In my opinion, we haven't had a ND quarterback move on to the NFL and truly succeed since the two Joe's, and I'm quite certain you know who I'm referring to- Theismann and Montana! Being from the Cleveland area, I was estatic when the Browns drafted Brady Quinn (who still holds most of the ND QB records) and I bragged to friends that the Browns' QB woes were finally over, only to be EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED to have him hold out initially and then have sub-par seasons as a Brownie (2007-2009) and then bounce around to 5 different teams and be out of the league by 2014..... Why do you think Quinn didn't have the success in the NFL that he had at ND? And, secondly, will ND ever produce another top-tier NFL QB the likes of the 2 Joe's????????

Eric Hansen

3:29

Yes I am old enough to remember Brian Sipe, and I'm over the moon that it was even a question in your mind. What I don't have recollection of were the nuances of his game. I didn't watch football with an analytical eye in those days. But to your question, college football is a lot different from the pros in terms of ideal skill sets. Book was way off the radar at the beginning of the season. Certainly, of late he's been showing attributes that would increase his chances of sticking on a roster perhaps. I almost see him as a better fit in the CFL. As we get toward the end of the season. I'll revisit his pro prospects (and those of other ND players) with draft analysts.

Duke from Cincinnati

3:24

I've been trying to figure out who Ian Book reminds me of, then it hit in the BC game. Are you old enough to have seen Brian Sipe play either at SDSU or with the Browns? About the same size, average arm strength, good athletic ability, and a knack for playing best when needed. And like Book, Sipe wasn't exactly seen as a top NFL prospect, being drafted in the 13th round. To the right team, Book could be a serviceable pro QB. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

The good news for the Irish is they don't expect him to sign until February. So they should have enough time to land him. I would think Donovan Edwards is the higher priority at running back, though. With Caleb Johnson, he committed to Auburn in May. He has been receptive to contacting Notre Dame's coaching staff and is originally from Fort Wayne. I like Notre Dame's chances with him. I plan to get more info on these guys in the coming days.

I'm not a huge percentage guy, especially with those three recruits. There is still a lot to play out with them. A few months ago, Notre Dame seemed set to take 20ish recruits in the 2021 class. Then the Irish were hit by unforeseen roster attrition, which presumably opened up a few more spots this cycle. Now they are expected to take 25ish recruits. So Notre Dame is going after a few new faces and has a lot more left to do. This will be a way more active final stretch than the past two cycles. And I expect them to finish with a top 10 class. Look for Notre Dame to land another commitment this week. For Gilliam, he has been receptive to hearing from the Irish coaching staff despite being verbally committed to Oklahoma since August. He is still pledged to the Sooners for a reason. He does not appear ready to flip just yet. I'm slightly leaning Oklahoma here, but a lot could change. With Cardwell, Notre Dame still looks to be early in the process and getting to know him.

3:23

John. I turned your question over to Carter Karels. I don't think he's better at math than me, but he is better at following recruiting. Here is his response:

John Walled Lake MI

3:21

Hi Eric, how are you doing? I would like to know what are the chances of Notre Dame getting Caleb Johnson, Kelvin Gilliam and Byron Cardwell? What percentage would you put on each of these recruits landing at Notre Dame? Thanks so much for answering my question.

Eric Hansen

3:20

There are always concerns when you add a new piece to the offensive line, no matter how talented they are. It's a question of chemistry and getting used to each other. I suggest listening to our Pod of Gold podcast, where we go in depth on the topic. As far as the CFP question, it's difficult not knowing the margin of victory, injury status and so forth of the other teams ... and is Ohio State going to have any more cancellations?

Gene in NY

3:15

Hi Eric, Thanks for the great coverage. Certainly fun time to cover/root for a team that is clicking and can still improve. Two questions - you probably covered already, but are there concerns for OL (though fortunate to have eight games without injury for experienced line)? Second one is a little projecting - CFP comes out with first ranking next week - if their top 8 are same as AP and all win out with Alabama and ND losing close Conference Championships to Florida and Clemson, respectively, who is CFP top 4 and who are CFP top 4? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

3:14

Davis was a dual threat. but much more of a threat as a passer. At Cedar Hill High in Texas, against elite competition, he threw for 2,876 yards and 37 TDs as a senior and rushed for 369 yards and six TDs. In a state cc game loss to DeSoto, he accounted for 572 or Cedar Hill's 574 total yards. Sure he'd be great on trick plays. Even more significant, he's become really good at the standard staple plays in ND's offense.

Ray from Normal,IL

3:07

Dan's question got me thinking (a very dangerous thing). What type of QB was Davis is HS? Was he a passer so that we might expect a possible end around throw from him in the future?

Eric Hansen

3:07

I'm not sure the answer is the same in September as it will be in late October. We had Tyler Buchner on the podcast a few weeks ago. Fascinating kid with a world of talent. That's the answer to the high ceiling question. If there is a NORMAL set of 15 spring practices and a normal training camp this year, then Buchner's opportunity widens. It's still going to be difficult having not played a high school game this season. My sense is Brendon Clark has a leg up in August and Buchner challenges in October.

Jeff Cleveland, OH

3:03

Eric, Assuming Book leaves for the NFL at the conclusion of the season, who does your gut feeling tell you takes over the QB position in 2021? Who do you think has the highest ceiling (potential-wise) of the QB's currently on the roster, and incoming with the freshmen class?

Eric Hansen

3:03

OK normally, this is where I have to end the chat at 3 EST. HOWEVER, since there are so many questions still in the queue and since so many of your are on here live and since I don't have another commitment coming up immediately, let's go to OVERTIME.

3:02

Happy Thanksgiving to you. I don't see a question, so I'll run your comments since they don't violate the no-manifesto rule.

Ron Dover De

3:01

Hi Eric love reading your insight. Happy Thanksgiving to and yours. Want to send a shout out for Avery Davis and C Bo Flemister. Happy to see these kids contributing and earning playing time. Great role models for young kids in this day and age where you see players run from programs when they don’t succeed right away rather than work hard and earn time on field.

Eric Hansen

3:01

Miami was really back into a corner. If they are one of the top two teams going into the week of Dec. 19, then they would play in the conference cc game rather than the makeup game. HOWEVER, they lose a two-way tiebreaker with Clemson unless Clemson loses again before the cc game. They also lose two- and three-way tiebreakers with the Irish. So ND would have to lose two out of three to NC, Syracuse and Wake Forest and Miami would have to win out.

Guest

2:58

Hello Eric, I very much enjoy your writing and love getting your insights in these weekly football chats. With it being a bye week for the Irish, I figured it was a good time to ask a question about the ACC football standings with an eye to the conference championship game. The necessary rescheduling of games for Miami has them playing a regular season game on December 19, the same day of the ACC title game. The Hurricanes have only one conference loss, and I figured them still in the mix, especially if ND were to slip up in one (or more) of their remaining games, or Clemson too for that matter. Have they in essence conceded that they can't make it? Are the tiebreakers stacked against them? Hoping you can sort this out. John, St. Catharines, ON

Eric Hansen

2:58

Having said all of that, let's look at the players you asked about. Davis and Banks are the only ones with potentially two more years of eligibility in that group. I would expect Davis to be welcomed back and that he would want to. Let's look at the others. With Skowronek and McKinley, they're playing the best ball of their careers, yet ND has three stud WRs coming in, plus Kevin Austin coming back and Jordan Johnson to develop. I say they both decide to move on. Hainsey also. His NFL stock wouldn't improve with another year. Hinish is a tough one, but I think he moves on. Banks is also tough. I think he would benefit by coming back. but not sure what he's thinking.

2:53

The question is more difficult than it would seem on the surface. So much plays into players with expiring eligibility they don't know now but may have a better feel for in January. Like will COVID still be as much of a hurdle in the spring as it is now? Will it be fading big-time by the fall? And what's to be gained by coming back for a sixth year in some cases? From ND's standpoint (and other schools too), there is a financial consideration in going over 85 scholarships when athletic departments are already taxed. The good news is there's not a rush with players with expiring eligibility for this year only. It's the players with potential fifth years where a decision needs to be made in a timely fashion, because it affects the size of the 2021 recruiting class. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

2:46

Hi Eric, I hope you are enjoying you bye week. Since it is a bye week I was thinking about next year. Which of the following players if any do you think would consider coming back for another year.? Nick McCloud, Ben Skowronek, Javon Mckinley, Avery Davis, Robert Hainsey, Kurt Hinish, and Aaron Banks. Thanks for hosting the chat.

2:41

Hi Eric, I hope you are enjoying your bye week. Thanks for hosting the chat. Since it is a bye week was starting to think about next year. Which of the following players if any do you think would consider coming back for another year?

Eric Hansen

2:41

Tom, appreciate you coming on the chat. Sam Howell is extremely accurate and extremely clutch. He's 11th nationally in passing efficiency, two spots ahead of Trevor Lawrence. He's got two outstanding wide receivers and two backs with are very involved in the passing game. Plus, each of them averages more than 100 yards a game rushing. So it's tough to take something away as a defensive coordinator. Your best chance is to force mistakes and prey on an offensive line that's well below average in protection.... Notre Dame is by far the best defense UNC has seen this year. BC at No. 55 in total defense is the best they've played. Next is Duke at 68th. Everyone else is 90th or below. The Irish are 12th, and they've played No. 9 Pitt and No. 13 Clemson in total D, by comparison. ... The Tommy Tremble question is in here a lot. I do think he'll get re-engaged as a target at some point, but Michael Mayer has a chance to be a generational player at a position where excellence is the norm.

Tom from Grand Rapids, MI

2:32

Eric- Appreciate all the work you put in to feed our IRISH addiction, so to speak. What challenges will Sam Howell give to the ND defense, that in your opinion, could make things potentially dicey next Friday? Also will ND be the best defense he has seen all year? Is #24 ever going to do more than block? It seems that his targets are getting fewer and fewer in the passing game?!? Don’t get me wrong, I believe he has tremendous value in the offense but weren’t we touting his athleticism at TE coming into the season, not his blocking prowess.

Eric Hansen

2:31

Avery did get a season at quarterback as a true freshman in 2017. He was unable to get past Book, a year ahead, on the depth chart as Brandon Wimbush's backup. And the staff knew Jurkovec was on the way. The desire to get the best athletes on the field drove the decision to start moving Davis around. It's taken a while, but it's finally working out.

Dan from Vernon Hills, Il

2:26

Eric, really enjoy the chats. I was wondering why Avery Davis was never considered a serious candidate for the quarterback position when he first came to Notre Dame. He seemed to be immediately moved to another position. I believe he was a four star prospect coming out of high school. Not that it didn’t work out for him, but I have always wondered about that. Again, thanks for the chats and stay safe.

Eric Hansen

2:25

Dom. Thanks. Three of my six grandkids have had COVID, I had a friend die from it and he another friend who's struggling right now. so it's real for me too. ... To your question, I do expect a close game with North Carolina. I do expect ND to win, however. There are some weaknesses of which the Irish can take advantage. UNC is lousy across the board on special teams, including having had a couple of punts blocked. They're one of the heaviest-penalized teams, give up a lot of sacks and aren't great in turnover margin.

Dom, Baltimore, MD

2:17

Hi Eric, thanks for taking the time during a bye week to talk to us. Hope you and your family are staying safe. Please let all your many fans here know that - (and I'm speaking from personal experience, here) that the virus is very real and very very dangerous. My question: Do we really expect a close game with North Carolina? I'm thinking turnovers won't be as much of a problem as with Boston College, as we knew, well before game time, was that was something of a calling card for them.

Eric Hansen

2:17

Stephen!! Manny would be proud. I think the thing that would help ND's coverage the most is a more consistent pass rush. ND has to be better in its coverage on first and second down as well, and some of that is recognition. ND is still one of the best third-down defenses in the country. (7th at 26%).

Stephen from Toledo OH

2:13

Eric!!!!!!!!!! (My best Manny impression) Turned out to be a very good year to be an Irish fan! With the offense appearing to be getting better each week minus the turnovers what steps is the defense doing to fix some poor coverages? Many games have had wide open receivers and that worries me as we get ready for NC and even more so in the post season.

Eric Hansen

2:13

Manny!!!!!!!!!! You must be a breath of fresh air to everyone who comes in contact with you! I'd love to see how those exclamation points translate in person. You make me smile. Yes, with the students going home, ND will be in a situation somewhere similar to this summer, where there's a semi bubble. Now they're in apartments and rental houses rather than the Morris Inn, and there will be other athletes on campus. There will also be contact with the community at large (hair cuts, groceries, etc.), but I think this is a good setup for the players.

Manny in San Pedro

2:09

Eric!!!!!!!!!! We are marching towards our second undefeated regular season in 3 years!!!!!!! Crazy to think so many people wanted Kelly fired after the 4-8 season! Don’t hear a lot from them now! My question is with semester ending and kids going home. Will ND be a mini bubble for the football team that might prevent another outbreak while rates are rising across the country?

Eric Hansen

2:09

It's weird how a glut of bodies can go to a shortage so quickly. Armstrong is certainly one. Assuming Kendall Abdur-Rahman is healthy, he's an option (though he hasn't playedd since USF on Sept. 12). Osita Ekwonu could certainly be activated on offense. I'll ask BK about him Monday once we get the health update on Kyren and C'Bo.

Denis from Niagara Falls, ON

2:06

Hey Eric. In your opinion, who is the most under-the-radar position coach on the ND staff? In terms of both development and recruiting. Running back depth is a concern. Without another Jafar Armstrong switch, is there one player who could help out immediately?

Eric Hansen

2:06

Benjamin, it's crossed my mind too and my thinking mirror yours, but you also have to think about market and competition for those endorsements in that market. It's really a very good question. It's something that will be back burner for me, though, until after the season with COVID and a team that's No. 2 in the nation front and center. Once we get into winter, I'll take the deep dive. Again, very good question.

Benjamin, Fayetteville, Nc

2:04

Hey Eric, I just realized this morning that ND should benefit the most from the change in the rule that allows student athletes to profit off of their image. With ND being a national brand and “almost” every game being nationally televised the exposure an athlete can get at ND surpasses all other school. Now my question: Am I off base here? And if not, how much of a benefit could this be in recruiting for ND compared to other schools?

Eric Hansen

2:03

I think the holdup (it was expected to be announced last week) has been the rising COVID hospitalizations in St. Joseph County. Our hospitals are full and staffs overworked. That plays into the equation of what to do about fans for Syracuse, whether you're in denial about the pandemic or not. It's the reality schools like Notre Dame have to deal with. I hope to have some info early next week.

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