JotCast | Notre Dame Live Chat March 24, 2021

Notre Dame Live Chat March 24, 2021

Eric Hansen

3:03

OK, I'm out of time. Thanks for all the great questions. By the time we do the next one, spring practice will have started. The next chat will be TBA because we have Pro Day next Wednesday. So as soon as we have a media schedule, I'll post the chat time and date on Twitter and our website.

3:01

Megat, if I understand your question .. a three-down look would likely be a third-down package, with five or six DBs and two or three linebackers. So it can be very effective if you have the right personnel to make that work.

Megat Muzaffar, Malaysia

3:00

Marcua Freeman prefers a 4-man frint. How good can his 3-man front be? I

Eric Hansen

2:59

Thanks, Gabe.

Gabriel Weiss from North Liberty

2:59

I just wanted to say, your argument for ND staying independent is exactly right. In order for ND to stay a top program they have to recruit nationally much more than most schools. Example is Stanford. They are even in a hot bed of talent in California but can not compete like ND does due to academics and mot being able to recruit nationally, like ND.

Eric Hansen

2:59

That it was a rant and not a manifesto, I'll take it.

Stephen from Toledo OH

2:59

Hey Eric! I gotta speak up for Kelly here. So many fans want to talk bad about him but man he is legitimately a top 5 FBS HC. To have the kind of turn around, program building and success he’s had in the time he has been here is astounding. ND is one of the most difficult coaching jobs there is because of the academic standards as well as the high standards not only expected from the university but by its die hard fans. For me he’s been amazing. I will say I want more but I think a large part of the missing piece is being addressed by offering too talent earlier and Kelly getting more involved. I do want to see the playbook open up more like Sarkisian and Ensminger but we need the talent to do that first. Sorry for the rant.

Eric Hansen

2:59

Jack Swarbrick probably gave me the best answer to this. I don't think you'll see a lot of players using their extra COVID season of eligibility. I think once players have their degrees, they'll either move on to the NFL or the job market, or take a grad transfer. There will be exceptions. But I think that's how ND will be able to make the numbers work with what should be a very talented and not tiny 2022 class.

Travis from Newport Kentucky

2:57

Hi Eric. Thanks for answering my first question. As I read along I thought of a second I hope you have time for. With the Pandemic scholarship situation, BK alluded to making sure 2022 class was "the right fit" due to possibly having less room on the roster. However, this seems to be shaping up to be a relatively large class. Thoughts on that?

Eric Hansen

2:56

Thank you!

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

2:56

OMG Eric, a big TY for addressing my question. I, of course, saw the "moves" but my PC did not have the sound like yours did just now. Much appreciated. I laughed even harder this time. Great job you do at what you do. Mike McF and yes, BK does have a sense of humor. Later.

Eric Hansen

2:56

Hi Joe ... I'll defer on the injury question for a few more days, but can answer the latter ... Quarterbacks ... more for who's going to be Coan's eventual successor than Book's; the offensive line shuffle, linebackers, the corner opposite Clarence Lewis, the safety opposite Kyle Hamilton and especially the whole wide receiver thing.

Guest

2:54

Joe H Williams Bay Wi Hi Eric Missed the chat last week.With spring practice about a week away I was wondering which players will be limited and also what position battles are you going to be most interested in watching.Thanks again for all you do.

Eric Hansen

2:53

Marie, thank you for being here. Chris Watt turned a season as a grad assistant into a full-time O-Line coach gig at Tulane in one year. It's not surprising either. He's that impactful. I don't know that there's someone like that out there, but ND has not yet announced an offensive grad assistant coach. ... yes I am not only excited for spring practice, I'd settle for just knowing the dates officially LOL. As far as rumblings about the young guys, I kind of want to see them for myself and talk to people on the record before I pass along what might be incomplete info. We are very close to being able to do that. ... I think.

Marie from Atlanta

2:48

Hi Eric, I know you must be excited for the start of Spring practice. Any word on who may be replacing Chris Watt? Also given the inexperience of the O line, any chance ND takes an experienced Offensive lineman with leadership potential from the transfer portal? Are you hearing anything about any young players, ( incoming Freshmen or Redshirt Freshmen) who have impressed so far either in the weight room or during 7 on 7? Thanks for hosting the chat, always love hearing your takes.

Eric Hansen

2:48

Tom. I have had both shots and I am past the two weeks after, so my life has changed a lot in the last week. A lot. Fortunately, enough brackets from the other people in my pool feel apart that I am in fourth place at the moment and still in contention to win if Alabama and Gonzaga get to the Final Four (among other things). ... I think the program is in a place, from an infrastructure and player development standpoint, that there shouldn't be an early upset. Now, when the five-game stretch of Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Va Tech, USC, North Carolina stretch begins, there will still be some growing pains likely happening at the spots you mentioned. And there are some really good teams in that stretch. So that's when we're going to see how good this 2021 Irish team is. I feel better about their chances in an offseason with fewer COVID hurdles.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:39

Hi Eric, have you had your Covid shots? How long did your bracket last before it fell totally apart? With so many question marks on the offense this year, new O-line, new QB, unproven receivers, do you think that there would be a good possibility for an upset early in the season and if so who and why? As always thanks so much for these chats and the tremendous job that you do, now including double-duty on the recruiting front, of keeping Irish fans abreast of what is going on with Irish football. Stay safe.

Eric Hansen

2:39

And I think he has the chance to do that.

2:38

Hi Ben, thanks for staying up late or getting up early to participate. When you talk to people who know Tommy Rees and his coaching potential well, there is an overwhelming sentiment that it's a matter of when and not if Tommy Rees will prove to be a prudent hire. The question is what does his learning curve look like in the meantime, and that's one of the aspects that makes the 2021 season so fascinating to me ... not just from the X's and O's but watching Rees as a recruiter. My expectations for this team are less than what they were in 2020 or what they are for 2022 and 2023, but that doesn't mean there can't be pleasant surprises. I don't know that the offense needs to (or will) make a quantum leap forward this season, but there needs to be a move in that direction. As far as Tyler Buchner, I don't anticipate he'll be ready to be the No. 1 QB this year. I do think he needs to eventually turn out to be the QB the Irish had on top of their recruiting board in the 2021 cycle.

Ben C

2:27

south Australia, Australia, Hi Eric, love reading this, when you get the chance to do it, have followed the Notre Dame for the last 20+ years, do you think Tommy Rees has the strength in his coaching/playing repertoire to take the offence to a new level especially with the likes of Jordon Johnson & incoming skills position freshman or are we going to be relying on our defence to keeping us in the games & do you think Tyler Buchner can make the jump into the starting lineup, would be good to see us put some youth into the lineup and not just go with the longest tenured players over highly talented 1st/2nd year players

Eric Hansen

2:25

Richard. A big you're welcome. I don't think an asterisk is necessary. A national title would put Brian in a different category than he is now. But even if he doesn't get that, he has raised the bar on the perception of ND football, expectations and the reality of how relevant the Irish could be when they could have easily evolved into what Nebraska is.

Richard/Warner Robins, GA

2:24

Eric. I know this gets old but a BIG THANKS to your continued coverage of the Irish. It is a welcome relief down south especially during college football downtime. My question is, Do you believe Brian Kelly's "legacy" at ND will include an asterisk if he never wins a National Championship especially if he is the longest tenured Coach? Thanks,and again, You are the Man!

Eric Hansen

2:24

Ken, thanks for asking. We are. Still trying to figure out the format and the dates, but there definitely will be on this summer.

Ken - Pensacola

2:24

Eric- Are you going to be able to produce an "ND Insider" this year? Thanks & as always GO IRISH!

Eric Hansen

2:23

Alex, Rick Hummel or Derrick Goold can provide you a more accurate answer. But between you and me, I'm excited.

Alex from Jackson, MO

2:22

How do you see the Cards doing this season? I’m really excited to see Arenado play the hot corner.

Eric Hansen

Here is Exhibit A for those who missed it.

2:21


                        
                            
                                
                                
                                        
                                        Eric Hansen
@EHansenNDI
                                        
                                
                            
                        
                        Well, for the first time ever, my first question heading into spring practice won't be about injuries ... unless one resulted from this. Brian Kelly@CoachBrianKelly
I never back down from a challenge, @ShaunCrawf20. ☘️

#POTOFGOLD twitter.com/ShaunCrawf20/s… 

                        
                            
                            
                            
                                
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                
                            
                        
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            17 Mar 2021

2:20

Mike, I'm not Irish, but isn't it an Irish "jig" and not "gig?" What I believe -- and this hasn't been confirmed -- is that Brian Kelly was trying to execute something called the Junebug Challenge. Having seen other versions on social media, I was concerned for his health. Was he mixing in Yoga? Was he injured? I guess, the good news is he hasn't lost his sense of humor.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

2:14

Hi Eric, How bout a question a little on the lighter side. With a name like McFadden, I know exactly what and how to do an Irish gig for the big day (March 17). With a last name like Kelly, what in the world was Coach Kelly trying to do last Wednesday, March 17th when an assistant coach challenged him? What was that ???!!! (laugh here).

Eric Hansen

2:13

Hi Mark. I'm not sure we'll have the offensive line lineup settled by the end of spring, but we should know who the top options are. I'd say rover might not be, because June arrival Prince Kollie could be a factor. I'd say cornerback will be a perpetual competition, especially if ND adds a grad transfer. I'm not sure that wide receiver will be completely decided either.

Mark, Orange County CA

2:10

Hi Eric, Thank you for hosting these chats, us ND fans are a very easy group to keep happy who only want undefeated seasons and a national championship. Do you foresee any player positions not being settled by the end of Spring practice? Struggling to come up with a relevant question today but wanted to participate

Eric Hansen

2:09

Nate, I think there are a few things at work leading to your perception of Marcus Freeman, which by the way is entirely accurate. First, he's that good. Second, Brian Kelly's directive to aim higher on the recruiting trail. Third, the ability of Marcus to collaborate with others on the staff to enhance what he brings to the table alone. I can assess what I've heard about Kelly as a recruiter, but let me do that independently of building on the quote that you had heard or read elsewhere. I plan to ask the question in a future installment of Inside Recruiting, but here's what I've been told when I've asked analysts informally. 1. Kelly is a very good closer. 2. Kelly needed to be more present at critical junctures earlier in the process than he had been with key recruits. 3. Kelly has done that, and it seems to be making a big difference.

Nate from south bend

1:59

I’ve seen a lot of positive news regarding ND recruiting lately specifically with “elite” talent. What’s been the biggest difference between years past and now? Is it truly as simple as Marcus Freeman is that good at recruiting? Also, I’ve seen some reports that BK isn’t a great recruiter “unless he really wants to be” any chance you can elaborate on that? Seems like someone as successful as BK at a school like ND would have to be a great recruiter in order to maintain the success we’ve seen. Thanks for the chats!

Eric Hansen

1:58

I think Kevin Austin is a top five talent on the 2021 ND roster, despite the lack of production at this point to back it up. His decision to stay at ND and make things right after he got suspended (in 2019) said a lot about his work ethic and his intent to be the best player he can be. It would have been easy to jump into the transfer portal. When I ask other players about Kevin, there is nothing but raves. In the few practices I witnessed him healthy, Austin was impressive. If he is fully healthy this season, I expect him to be ND's leading receiver. Could he return punts? Yes. Will he? I doubt it, but I think freshman Lorenzo Styles Jr., could work his way into that role.

1:53

Jeff, because Kevin Austin did not have surgery immediately have the second break last season and waited, I don't anticipate him being cleared for contact this spring. I've really hesitated on getting into injuries much, because my preference is to be able to hear it from Brian Kelly and to be able to follow up with questions. I also don't want to give anyone an incomplete list. So trust me, I'll ask injury questions to BK, hopefully this weekend. But I want to answer your question the best that I can. (more)

Jeff from Phoenix

1:51

Hey Eric, I would appreciate if you could give more detail on the enigma (at least to me) that is Kevin Austin. First, is he healthy heading into spring practice? Are there any signs of off-season work that point to him fulfilling his high potential? Is it possible that he could be a dangerous punt/kick returner or does he just need to focus on becoming a highly productive receiver? We know you see him as on the brink of being a major contributor, so just want to ask you to go in more detail. Thanks much-

Eric Hansen

1:51

If you're going to reference Foge Fazio, you're going to lose your audience. Nothing in today's football is relevant to Foge Fazio. The last attacking defense at ND, Brian VanGorder's, did bomb. But was it the scheme or the coordinator that caused that? You know the answer. As far as your assertion about Ron Powlus II being the starter in 2022, on what are you basing that projection?

1:48

Mario. I guess would should say the importance is landing a top-tier quarterback and retaining him. Gunner Kiel's situation at ND (and post-ND) and Phil Jurkovec's couldn't have been more different. I'm going to be doing a story this spring on identifying and developing greatness at the QB position. In just doing the research for it, it's fascinating to see the different pathways to success. But what needs to be emphasizes at ND is the need for elite production at the position. Whether it's a 3-star QB or a 5-star one, ND needs someone who can be top 15 in pass efficiency, and certainly wide receiver talent/production/skill sets play into that. (more)

Jon

1:43

Mario from Stafford VA, I have two questions and a comment, I keep hearing about the Irish needing to land a top tier QB. Gunner Kiel and Phil Jukovic both came to ND and left after a year, timing, coaching or development? The second question is in regards to the DC hire. Going back to Foge Fazio, Gary Darnell, Bob Davie or Jon T and Barry V. Attacking defenses tend to bomb at ND. What makes this hire any different? Last I truly believe RP2 will be the starting QB at ND within a year, No he wont win 2 Heismanns, thanks the late great Beano Cook but he will surprise many.

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