Chat Transcript: On Hartman, Buchner, and ND's recruiting lessons learned
Eric Hansen: Welcome to a thawing-out edition of Notre Dame Football Live Chat. That goes for Northern Indiana and Northwest Florida.
Some quick programming notes:
► If you haven’t already, check out this week’s Inside ND Sports podcast presented by Dead Soxy with our special guest Aaron Taylor. The former Irish All-America offensive lineman and current college football analyst for CBS Sports helped preview Friday’s Gator Bowl matchup with No. 19 South Carolina (8-4). Taylor discussed No. 21 Notre Dame's clear advantage against the Gamecocks, how the Irish offensive line can respond to loaded boxes and defensive line movement, why the Irish weren't Joe Moore Award semifinalists, how Michigan has won it two years in a row, what Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman would mean to ND, how he would have treated NIL and the transfer portal as a player, the work he's doing to promote mental health and more.
► After a one-week hiatus for Christmas break and travel, Tyler James and I will be back with our YouTube show, Monday Night Live, on Monday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. ET. We’ll break down the Gator Bowl’s war of attrition between Notre Dame and South Carolina, the latest comings and goings in the transfer portal, a look ahead at the 2024 recruiting cycle, and more. If you can’t catch us live, you can watch anytime during the week, as the show keeps its shelf life going through the entire week.
► Finally, as far as this chat, we’ll be back next Wednesday, Jan. 4, at noon (ET) to answer all your post-Gator Bowl questions.
As far as today's chat, please remember to include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question(s).
Here are the rules:
Listen, I'll suspend the no-bare feet rule this week. If it's warm enough in your house or your office to do that today, have at it.
Off we go. ...
Tom from Sister Lakes, Mich.: Hi Eric. Happy Holidays. Given that Jarrett Patterson and Josh Lugg will be gone next year and ND will have two new starters at guard, who makes the decision on who will be the starters? I'm sure it's a collaborative process, but do you know if Harry Hiestand decides who will start, or Marcus Freeman? This is more important than the other position groups, because there is very little rotation/substitution on the O-line. Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom, and Happy Holidays. Determining starters at most position groups at ND is much more of a collaboration. Because of Harry Hiestand's track record and expertise, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and head coach Marcus Freeman are happy to defer largely to Hiestand. It's going to be a fascinating spring to see that process play out. Remember, it's about who the best five are, not who the best guards are. So it's possible a backup tackle takes one of those spots.
Jim from Oakwood, Ohio: Hi Eric. Do you know whether Tyler Buchner is expected to play the entire game, barring injury, or will Steve Angeli share some snaps and have some special “packages?” Sounds like some OT work for the trio of running backs — your thoughts on the percentage of run vs. pass plays? Who do you expect to emerge — in a good way — on offense or defense? Happy New Year!
Eric Hansen: Hi Jim, and Happy New Year to you. I don't think there's a compelling reason to put together a package for Steve Angeli, say in the red zone, for instance. I think Tyler Buchner is the better QB in almost every situation. But Angeli has taken enough snaps with the 1s in December that I would think the coaching staff would like to get a look at him in a game situation if the circumstances allow it. ... As far as percentage of pass to run, Notre Dame would love to be balanced and likely to lean into the run game to give Buchner a chance to adjust to being back in game action. My sense is that South Carolina is going to load the box with an extra defender to coax ND to throw more or press the Irish to decide whether to get Buchner more involved in the run game. If ND can run with the extra defender and can play with the lead, the plays are going to be skewed toward the run game. ... Emerging? Tobias Merriweather and Jaylen Sneed.
Tom from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric. I hope you had a great Christmas and survived that terrible cold weather that came through SB! 1) With Peyton Bowen going to Oklahoma, will Marcus Freeman put a "recruiting" push on Brandon Joseph to return?? If Sam Hartman comes to ND and wins QB1, do you think Tommy Rees would put together a package for Buchner, like he did in '21?? Who is the Joe Alt/Ben Morrison in this year's recruiting class?? Gator Bowl score?? Have a great New Year!! Go Irish!!!!
Eric Hansen: I did have a great Christmas, thanks. Just had to delay it a little to travel. It will continue on New Year's Eve with the grandkids, who were snowed in. ... As far as Brandon Joseph, Marcus Freeman will be honest with him. Before the season, Brandon was bound and determined to go pro after one season at ND. A kind of so-so season diluted by injuries late may cause the Northwestern transfer to reconsider. I think the feedback he gets from the league will tell him that another year of college would likely help him boost his NFL Draft equity. So, Marcus will relay that info and let Brandon Joseph decide. If he returns, that would be better than Peyton Bowen signing with ND in the SHORT TERM. ... Assuming Sam Hartman transfers to ND and beats out Tyler Buchner, I'm not sure there's the need to have a tag-team approach a la 2021 because Hartman is much more complete than Jack Coan. But it might be a compromise that makes everyone happy and keeps Buchner developing. I'm not totally convinced of that, but open to it.
With regard to an Joe Alt/Ben Morrison comparison, I think you're looking for an incoming freshman who wasn't ranked in the Rivals Top 250 but who ended up playing a lot and playing well as a freshman? There are so many top 250 players in the class (13), it limits the options. I'd say it will probably be a D-lineman or a safety. So my two guesses (and they are guesses) are S Brandyn Hillman and DE Boubacar Traore, the latter of whom missed almost all of his senior season with an injury. Sleeper is S Adon Shuler. ... Gator Bowl score prediction: Notre Dame 34, South Carolina 24.
Mike from Cincinnati: Long-time reader, first-time submitter. Just want to say how much I appreciate you and the team's coverage: fair; balanced; and insightful. You also remember that these are just young, college-aged men and women trying to figure out life, and school, athletics, and beyond. You hold the adults accountable, as you should. Keep up the good work. Happy Holidays.
Eric Hansen: Mike, if you're going to submit stuff like that, please do it more often!!! Seriously, it's very much appreciated. Happy Holidays.
Frank from Royse City, Texas: Guys, do you think ND will get a defensive tackle in the portal?
Eric Hansen: Hi Frank. It's just me answering, unless you want to pitch in. Notre Dame recently missed out on Western Michigan DT transfer Braden Fiske, who picked Florida State. A lot of the top D-linemen in the portal found new homes quickly. But there are some good ones trickling in and will be until the window closes on Jan. 18. Then there's another window from May 1-15 in which new players can submit their names. Ideally, I think the Irish would like to add both an interior D-lineman and an edge player. The latter especially if Justin Ademilola opts to head to the NFL with his twin brother (Jayson), who is out of eligibility. One option may be Wake Forest DE Rondell Bothroyd, who just took the portal plunge this week.
Steve from St Louis: Hope you had a great holiday, Eric. There were many reports up to a week ago that Hartman would transfer to ND. This was before he had even played his last game at Wake. Was this all speculation? By rule, I believe player and school can’t communicate until after the player is in the portal, so how were so many people all over this assuming he ends up at ND?
Eric Hansen: Hi Steve and Happy Holidays. It was not all speculation. I can't speak to everyone's process in reporting, but Conor O'Neill of the Rivals Wake Forest site (Deacons Illustrated) reached out to us with some info on Friday. We posted the info on our premium message board. Now keep in mind, Sam Hartman to ND is not a done deal until he signs, but we expect this to happen and have since Friday. So how can this not be tampering, since Hartman didn't enter the portal until Tuesday? Players are free to reach out through a third party to gauge interest. Say, a high school coach, for example. You can get a lot done through a third party without committing to the portal first. Sam Hartman also wanted to finish his time out at Wake the right way and not take the focus off their bowl game on Friday. Once Hartman was in the portal, both the school and the player could contact each other. He can't visit campus, though, until after the transfer dead period ends on Jan. 4. So that may or may not elongate the process a bit.
Denny from Beaverton, Ore.: Gator Bowl Greetings, Eric. I noticed that Kedon Slovis has gone from USC to Pittsburgh and now to BYU. How many times are players going to be able to find a new team?
Eric Hansen: Well former USC quarterback JT Daniels has gone from USC to Georgia to West Virginia and now to Rice. So the answer apparently is four. Once you have grad transfer status, the second transfer (and others) are easier. You don't need a waiver (as underclassmen would) to avoid sitting out a year for the second transfer. We'll start to see less of this when the COVID exemption year phases out. The last class to be given that option was the 2020 group.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric. Happy new year! I hope you had a fantastic Christmas. Although I live in SEC country, I have not watched much of South Carolina this year. Since football is a game of matchups, what do you think would be Notre Dame‘s biggest strength on the offensive and defensive sides of the balls versus South Carolina and what do you think would be their biggest weaknesses on the offenses and defensive sides of the ball versus the Gamecocks? Also, not related to this week’s game, but as a follow-up to recruiting: Do you think Notre Dame would benefit from more publicly acknowledging how much legitimate NIL money certain players are getting? Maybe This could help with the transfer portal, and recruiting as there may be players out there who just assume Notre Dame players make little to no money, and it might change a player’s attitude about potentially playing for Notre Dame. Here’s hoping for a big Irish victory. Thanks for your insights and hosting the chat.
Eric Hansen: Happy Holidays, Marie. Watching South Carolina during the regular season may not have given you or me much insight because of the many key defections/opt-outs. Also QB Spencer Rattler was way better in the final two weeks of the season, against Tennessee and Clemson, than he was in the weeks leading up to those upsets. Let's start with special teams. It's hard to imagine a better special teams unit across the board anywhere than ND's, and yet South Carolina is that team. Before the opt-outs (including notably Isaiah Foskey, Michael Mayer and Drew Pyne for ND), the Irish had a huge advantage in the run game both ways — their own and defending SC's. That gap is larger now. But again South Carolina will likely load the box to try to get ND to pass more. South Carolina is best at throwing the ball and defending the pass, but they're diluted there now, too. ND won't have Mayer or Pyne, but their young wide receivers have a chance to make a statement on offense.
Notre Dame may not publicize the NIL opportunities it has for the players to the general public, but it does do a good job of communicating it to the players during the recruiting process. The acquisition fee money isn't NIL. It's masquerading as NIL, and some players are going to want that guarantee up front, no matter what the legit NIL opportunities look like. There's not a blanket outcome here, but there are trends worth watching and not all of them favor the people offering up-front money. Two of the teams with the most players in the portal (both over 20) are teams that are alleged to be the biggest NIL violators, Texas A&M and Miami. The Aggies have lost more than half of that No. 1 recruiting class from last year ALREADY. So what good is paying the money (allegedly) and signing a class like that if you can't retain the talent? I think the good news is, ND isn't just saying, "Oh well." They're looking at every phase of the recruiting operation to try to get better.
JHS61 from Evergreen, Colo.: Happy Holidays. What do you know about Ron Powlus III? Is he a hard worker in training and film study? Is he smart? How or where has he committed himself to helping the team? Does he have any personal goals in football?
Eric Hansen: Happy Holidays. I probably don't know much more about Ron Powlus III than you do. He has been brought in for media access at least once before, but he came on a day when Drew Pyne, Tyler Buchner and Steve Angeli were also available. So given your time and resources, you have to make decisions and prioritize. People who I know who knew him at Penn High School have good things to say about him. He is able to help the ND team as a scout-team QB. He is not an a trajectory to be in the mix to move up the depth chart. If that remains the case throughout his career, it might be interesting to find out at the end of his career what kept him satisfied in that role instead of seeking playing time elsewhere.
Kevin from Sleepy Eye, Minn.: Eric!! So, assuming we add Hartman, what if he doesn’t start? Will he be content as Buchner’s backup next fall? Will he transfer out ASAP if he’s not starting and we basically wasted reps at practice on him that would have gone to Kenny Minchey and Steve Angeli, who then would be an injury away from starting?
Eric Hansen: Kevin!! From a town that sounds made up, but IT'S NOT! I checked with someone who works with NCAA rules on a daily basis to see if someone could transfer twice during the same offseason, and it doesn't sound possible without a waiver. Even if it was possible, getting Sam Hartman on campus to compete to be the starting QB for Notre Dame in 2023 is well worth the risk. And if Tyler Buchner beats him out, then he's going to be one of the top 10 QBs in the nation next season.
Roger from Peoria: Eric: I hope your Christmas holiday was a wonderful and memorable family event. Nothing tops the importance of family, not even Notre Dame Football! But, in a way, family and Notre Dame football are similar in that both reflect generational differences. I remember no freshman eligibility, transfers having to sit out a year, and for perks, a training table for meals, and tutors. Now with the transfer portal and NIL (how I wish that stood for Not In my Lifetime), and no limitations intended to maintain some level of competition, such as a "salary cap" or a "luxury tax on schools that overspend", will college athletics ever be the same? Enough of a rant. Let me ask three questions. Do you believe it possible for an organization to create an enforceable, more structured "level playing field" for college athletics in the wake of NIL? Or do I pine for the impossible? And, since this is the Live Chat, an actual football question: "Will Irish faithful "Pine for Pyne" during the Gator Bowl?
Eric Hansen: Roger, Happy Holidays. Thanks for keeping your rant diverse and relatively succinct. To your questions: If a level playing field is created for college football, it won't come from the NCAA, although there's hope for that to be an improved organization with new leadership at the top coming in. There is just over 60 days left of Mark Emmert's underwhelming reign as president of the NCAA. Quite frankly, I've seen houseplants have more positive impact on the college football world than Emmert. At least they produce oxygen. So the guardrails and enforcement are going to have to come from Congress and the conferences, in that order. There is no established timeline yet for that to happen. You do not pine for the impossible, but for the perpetual perplexing. Pining for Pyne? Not to diminish what he did for the Irish during the last 10 games of the regular season, but no. No pining for the future Arizona State QB.
Jeff from Phoenix: Good morning Eric and Happy New Year in advance to you, Tyler and Kyle. I'd like your comments on Notre Dame and recruiting with IMG Academy in Florida. It seems to be at least a small elephant in the recruiting room. Notre Dame didn’t sign any IMG recruits in this recent cycle, and none of the 10 players ND needs to sign in 2024 (as reported by Kyle Kelly) are from IMG. I’m not sure how many 2023 recruits from IMG were even pursued or offered. With a quick look, I see eight recruits for 2024 that are in the Rivals 250. So, does that relationship need to be built by Marcus Freeman and staff or are they simply not recruiting down that aisle and giving way to the SEC and Florida schools. Thanks much.
Eric Hansen: Happy New Year, Jeff, and I owe you an email. I promise to get to it soon. There were eight players from IMG ranked in the Rivals250 in the 2023 cycle, and Notre Dame extended offers to four of them. Three — DE Samuel M'Pemba, WR Carnell Tate and LB Jordan Hall all visited ND multiple times. Not every IMG standout is going to be a fit, academically or otherwise. Those who are fits are going to have other attractive options. M'Pemba signed with Georgia and Tate with Ohio State -- two playoff teams. Hall signed with Michigan State, but ND had a very strong linebacker class without him. I don't think ND is avoiding IMG prospects. Nor do I think it's necessary to get someone from there each cycle. It is important to look who they have and work hard at getting them on campus for visits.
Kieran from South Jersey: Any prediction as to whether or not Tyler Buchner stays if Sam Hartman transfers in and becomes the starter? Great job with this site!
Eric Hansen: Kieran, thanks for the feedback and for your question. I am really against outright prediction any player will transfer. So let me share what I know and maybe tap-dance around this a bit. I recently asked Tyler Buchner about his feelings about Notre Dame's efforts to bring in a portal QB, and he looked me dead in the eye and said he understood why and didn't have a problem with it. He also implied he expected to be the starting QB when the Irish open the season in late August in Dublin, Ireland. So what if one of those things happens and one doesn't? Then he'd have a decision to make. Because he played in fewer than four games this year, he'll get a redshirt year back. So he'll have college eligibility in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Can he live with not being the starter until 2024? How important is an ND degree to him? Could he benefit from playing with/behind someone like Sam Hartman. If it were me, the answers would be yes, a lot, and yes, so I'd stay. But, I'm not Tyler Buchner, either.
Drue from Springfield, Mo.: Hope you are looking forward to an exciting new year and ready to continue publishing your peerless insight into ND athletics to the internet for many more decades...exceptional work. My question has to do with NIL and your insight into its future. A former Power 5 walk-on, who became a two-time All-American, is a close friend. It pains us both to see the leaders of collegiate athletics stand by and do nothing as unfettered booster organizations ... and likely simply wealthy individuals ... endeavor to buy the services of teenage athletes for their alma mater. Do you have any knowledge of a desire by responsible leaders in collegiate athletics to curb the tide of abuses taking place? And, if so, what actions or recommendations do you see as likely, needed, or sensible? I would like to say I understand the extremes, or that I realize things are not as bad as some make them out to be, but I simply do not know. Your views on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Eric Hansen: Hi Drue. Absolutely, there are many, many, many individuals who were failed by the NCAA's inertia and who would love to help remedy this. I think there are parents of players who would love to be part of the solution as well. Let me share with you a tweet thread from April Pendleton, mother of Notre Dame incoming freshman offensive lineman Sam Pendleton:
Walking through the recruiting journey with Sam, I remember several conversations we had with personnel and staff at several colleges regarding NIL. The one comment that stuck with me…”it’s the Wild West”. These words blazed to the front of my mind as I watched the landscape of “great American” pastime, it has become a gambling society. These are kids. These kids have no idea what they’re doing. We are given the opportunity to steward them well. Instead, adults are manipulating them. We can choose to do better. I am not sure what the answer is to this, but I do know our children are being treated as property, bought and sold, by a system that has lost its way on many college campuses. #choosebetter
Is it as bad as it seems? No, but it could be soon. Could there be some self-correction? Absolutely, but maybe not enough to curb it to tolerable levels. What's the answer? Way above my pay grade, but it starts with the college leaders having ENFORCABLE guidelines, a plan to make them work and an act of Congress. Seriously.
Ben from Hinsdale, Ill.: Hi Eric. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, sir. With the addition of Kaleb Smith (2?, Sr?, KSVT?) the transfer WR, does that conclude the staffs quest for WR portal additions? If not, any indications that the Irish could land another?
Eric Hansen: Hi Ben. Happy Holidays to you. They'll add another only if they can get a third Kaleb Smith... I kid, I kid. The only reason they'd take another is if there was an unexpected transfer out. And even then, that might not be a probability. They have 10 WRs going into 2023, with a nice blend of youth and experience.
Matt in Augusta, N.J.: Do players have a written contract for NIL deals? If they do, is the deal between the school and the player, or a third party? Just seems to be a lot of promises with money. I’d want it in writing.
Eric Hansen: Matt, real NIL deals have real written contracts with real third parties. The dirty money doesn't necessarily have contracts.
John from Chagrin Falls, Ohio: Hope you had a great Christmas and wish you a very Happy New Year! My question: I noticed that ND is looking for an interior D-lineman via the portal. Yet they let Jacob Lacey get away. How do you see the coaching staff managing current talent vs. utilizing the portal.
Eric Hansen: Happy Holidays, John. Notre Dame would have liked to keep Jacob, no question. And Jacob Lacey would have liked to stay, but he didn't feel he was being treated fairly and honestly. And. quite frankly, he's right. Defensive line coach Al Washington followed a very successful and very popular D-line coach in Mike Elston. Tough act to follow, and yet to me Al Washington has something to prove both on the recruiting trail in the 2024 cycle and with player development in 2023. I'm not implying he can't do it or didn't deserve the job, but there's a high standard for that position group that I don't think was met this season.
John Lipareli: If one remembers back to the last spring game, the coach put Steve in the game due to the poor performance of his select choice at QB. Well, nevertheless, with little time, Steve engineered two drives to win. Now, I ask, does he not get a chance to play in this game when he could be the answer that ND needs? I think that he could be the second coming of Montana.
Eric Hansen: John, if the Blue-Gold Game was the predictive tool you purport it to be, then there'd be a statue of Junior Jabbie out in front of the stadium. Junior who? Exactly. Steve Angeli played in the second half, because that was the plan all along. Drew Pyne had to quarterback both sides in the first half because of Tyler Buchner's ankle injury just days before the game. Steve did play well at the end of the BGG. Period. End of sentence. Could he be the starter someday? Yes, but he could also be no higher than third or fourth on the depth chart next season.
Tom from Grand Rapids: Eric, I hope you had a blessed Christmas and are looking forward to a prosperous New Year! As ND fans, are these 11th-hour letdowns going to become more prevalent in the NIL age, or does ND have something to counter this phenomenon? A small, faith based university in the rust belt, with brutal winters, and strict academics and standards doesn’t mean what it did 20 years ago. Also, can the offense that ND is going to put on the field have receiver(s) step up? Plus one of the quarterbacks? If I was South Carolina’s defensive coordinator, I’d load the box and make the ND passing game win the game….. or is the South Carolina run defense THAT terrible?
Go IRISH ☘️
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. I did have a blessed Christmas, and hope that was your experience as well. It's hard to extrapolate trends with NIL out too far, because I do think eventually there are going to be some natural corrections and perhaps some meaningful ones from Congress someday. In 2024, I think there will be a lot of 11th-hour switching, and pretty universally — not just with ND. Rivals national director of recruiting Adam Gorney was on the Inside ND Sports Podcast recently with Tyler and me. He said what a good number of kids did in the 2023 cycle was commit to a school with an NIL deal and/or guaranteed money, then continue to shop for a better deal, with a lot of those being finalized at the 11th hour. I want to point out a couple of things lost in those late defections, however.
"A small, faith based university in the rust belt, with brutal winters, and strict academics and standards doesn’t mean what it did 20 years ago." You're right. It apparently means more. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, Notre Dame's classes were ranked 24th, 12th and 22nd, respectively. In 2022, 2023 and so far 2024, they're sixth, eighth and so far first. With 2,601 points, ND's eighth-ranked class had more star power than the sixth-ranked class last year. The Irish have been ninth or better three classes in a row. The only time since the 2008 cycle they've ranked ninth or better was in 2013 (third). The last time they even put two top 10 classes together back to back was Charlie Weis' 2007 and 2008 classes. ... As for the game, yes I expect to see a loaded box to start. Is South Carolina's run defense that bad missing two of their best d-linemen? We're going to find out together.
Sean from Schaumburg, Ill.: Eric, thanks for your understanding from my last missive. I was angry over the Brothers Contreras going to Cards/Brewers (I'm a Northsider). Losing Dante Moore, Keon Keeley and Payton Bowen hurts. Three top 20 players. Braden Fiske drives home that NIL is playing a huge role in decision-making. Losing players like Jayden Limar/Elijah Paige doesn't hurt as much. ND has a solid pipeline of OL/RB to the NFL. QB/DE/DB are far more important in the modern game of football. Those are the holes in the roster. Prister/Thamel/O'Malley mentioned an opportunity to pivot to more of a portal approach to fill gaps in the roster due to turnover and eschew chasing the five-star high school player in favor of a college player who has worked his way into a legit four-star collegiate level player. Solid idea. The constraints of transfer remain. Huge hindrance. How can NDs roster management staff cajole/convince admissions dept./Top administrators to become open to undergrad transfers? Brandon Joseph struggling to get his credits admitted from Northwestern is difficult to understand. It's Northwestern.
Eric Hansen: No problem, Sean, although it might be the wrong time to reveal I'm a Cardinals fan. ... The concept of plugging a few more holes via transfers rather than five-stars isn't crazy. That wouldn't make you portal-dependent, either. ND would still be building a team and a culture primarily through high school recruiting. Grad transfers are easy to get through admissions and in many cases are more attractive. There are fewer ripples from the developing underclassmen trying to climb the depth chart when it's someone who's one-and-done taking a spot than someone who has multiple years of college eligibility. Yet, I do think it's necessary for the athletic department and the academic side to continue to try to find middle ground on the transfer credit issue for underclassmen, particularly those who are proven to be good students.
Irish Mike from Altoona, Pa.: Happy Holidays, Eric! The early signing day, after so much hype, somewhat ended with a thud! The flipping of a few of our decorated signees put a damper on an overall good class! We went from the No. 3 class to 10 on signing day! After finally having a powerhouse recruiter in Marcus Freeman, NIL has seemed to have neutralized his efforts. Two questions, how does ND go about getting Carr to actually sign next year with our limited NIL $? And with the rumors of Wake Forest QB coming on board, does Buchner jump in to the portal?
Eric Hansen: I don't think Marcus Freeman has been neutralized. Mitigated, challenged? Yes, but that's not your question(s), so let me get to those. ... Notre Dame is not limited in NIL money. It just doesn't provide acquisition fees cloaked as NIL money. Could the school do more with regard to flexing its brand and providing more opportunities? I believe so. CJ Carr, a 2024 QB commit to ND, knew ND's NIL situation when he committed and knows that now. As far as Tyler Buchner, I answered that a few questions ago. ... Remember with Marcus Freeman, he was able to put together a class with the most points (2,601) by an ND class in a decade, even with NIL dirty money working against him. And in the NIL age, it's also about retaining your top developing players, which I think Marcus will prove to be way better than average at doing.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric. Hope your Christmas was a merry one. Best wishes for a Happy New Year! There were times during the season when the safeties wee hurt. Moreover, Ramon Henderson and Xavier Watts are still learning the position. And Houston Griffith has never risen to the level expected to be a starter at safety. Yet rover Jack Kiser could not stay on the field during passing downs. I saw Kiser in a similar position to Harrison Smith and Drue Tranquill. Both changed positions while at ND. And both arguably are having better pro careers (especially Smith) than college careers. What is holding Kiser back? Where is his situation different than Smith of Tranquill? On top of that Marcus Freeman/Al Golden seem to be high on the younger LBs. Third part of the same question: Considering the use of the secondary in nickel/dime and the young LBs, doesn't Kiser have to enter the portal after the bowl game if he wants to play consistently?
Eric Hansen: Happy Holidays, Len. I think I can answer your questions together. Let me give it a shot. Jack Kiser does not have the ideal rover skill set, but he's the starting rover, because he is the best option there. Might he be a better will (weakside) linebacker? Absolutely, but then who plays rover? Jaylen Sneed has the ideal skill set to play rover. And he's moving in that direction quickly at this point. Nolan Ziegler is moving down that same path. What probably will happen is that Kiser, Marist Liufau and Prince Kollie will all battle for playing time in the spring at the will. Incoming freshman Drayk Bowen is a natural will linebacker but could probably be JD Bertrand's understudy at middle linebacker next season. So the spring is very important for those three — Kollie, Kiser and Liufau. And whoever finishes third may have a decision to make.
Bill from St Joe, Mich.: Eric, do you think Sam Hartman will wait until Friday night/Saturday to commit to the Irish, to see how well Buchner plays in the Gator Bowl? Or, like many QBs, he believes he will win out in the competition?
Eric Hansen: Bill, I don't think he's waiting to see how Tyler Buchner plays in the Gator Bowl. That won't affect his decision or timeline.
Rog in Saint Louis: Happy Holidays to you and your family! Do you know if ND has interest in Grayson McCall or are they counting on Sam Hartman to transfer to them?
Eric Hansen: Happy Holidays to you and your family. I don't think Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall is interested in ND, at least not right now. I think Sam Hartman is the top option for ND and vice versa. I'm sure ND has some backup options if things don't work out, but I expect them to work out.
Jeremy from Goshen, Ind.: Is it better for ND fans to be happy if ND signs Hartman or is it better for the program to develop a QB that they recruited? It feels odd that we have to keep going the transfer route instead of developing the QBs we have?
Eric Hansen: I think it's OK to be happy for both things. Had Tyler Buchner stayed healthy and become the quarterback the Irish coach think he still can become, they probably would have not gone QB shopping in the portal. ND is not just getting a transfer in Hartman, they're getting a known quantity who has become elite over time.
Mike from Toronto: Eric all the best to you and yours in 2023. How much of a negative impact on a team can a player have who is jumping schools because of NIL money or loose portal restrictions. At least the way I look at it — players who come in as freshmen, work their tails off, then get pushed down the depth chart can't be happy with it. I'm guessing it could muddy team chemistry, but then again, maybe players will look the other way if it means winning. Your thoughts?
Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. Best to your and yours as well. I think those scenarios need time to play out and may not be universal from team to team and campus to campus, but my expectation is that we will find that you're on point with some suspicions about the down sides of this dirty money people aren't considering yet.
Adam from Dayton, Ohio: Hi Eric. Hope you had a great Christmas! 1.) If the Irish do indeed land Sam Hartman, how much does he raise the ceiling of this team next year? Are the Irish playoff contenders or do they still need talent upgrades? 2.) The story of the 2023 recruiting class is that it helps close talent gaps, but it is also a "what could have been" class. Is Marcus Freeman the elite recruiter that we thought he was, or is he merely just a good recruiter? Did he learn lessons that can make future recruiting even better, or is Notre Dame the school that Kelly thought ... one that you can't get quite enough talent to win games against the big boys?
Eric Hansen: Adam, I'm going to bring you to my press conferences. You pack an awful lot into a couple of questions. Merry Christmas and I spent it in Dayton of all places!! Hartman playing at 2022 levels raises the ceiling considerably. Had he been on ND's roster in 2022, they don't lose to Stanford or Marshall and maybe not USC (though Pyne played very well in that game). Yes, they do need more to become a playoff team. Namely the defensive line needs to take a step up. The wide receivers have to grow up. They need depth and answers at safety, etc. 2. Quickly, Marcus Freeman in the conditions that existed in 2019 would have had ND's best class at least since 2008. And yes, between more consistently strong recruiting classes and strong portal recruiting and retention of top players, ND can acquire the talent to be an elite program. Keep in mind, ND made the playoff twice with class rankings from 2014 to 2020 of 11, 11, 13, 13, 11, 14 and 22. The 2022 and 2023 classes are better.
Roger, Dallas: I was curious what you thought would be the biggest obstacles/challenges this offseason? What adjustments does Freeman make?
Eric Hansen: Roger, great question. Can you hit me with that next week, because I'm almost out of time and I need some time to give you the answer you deserve?
Newt in Midlothian, Va: I'm so happy that Sam Hartman finally entered the portal. If we can indeed land him, how much do you think he will affect the 2023 season? Also, what is your game day like? I plan on being in Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl and after almost 20 years, I think it's time I say hello personally. Lol. Thanks for all your work, Happy Holidays and as always....Go Irish!
Eric Hansen: Newt!! I think he makes the offense so much better, and he'd be so good for the young wideouts. Newt, as far as the Gator Bowl, only Tyler made the trip for us. Kyle and I will cover remotely. HOWEVER, the next time you are in South Bend, I promise to make it happen, especially if you're in on the Friday night before the game. Happy Holidays.
Eric Hansen: OK, the clock ran out on me. Have to move on to other assignments. Thanks for all the great questions, even Danny who tried to pull a naughty pun on me in his question that wasn't used. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET. Happy Holidays everybody.
---------------------------------------------------------------
• Talk with Notre Dame fans on The Insider Lounge.
• Subscribe to the Inside ND Sports podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Podbean or Pocket Casts.
• Subscribe to the Inside ND Sports channel on YouTube.
• Follow us on Twitter: @insideNDsports, @EHansenND, @TJamesND and @ByKyleKelly.
• Like us on Facebook: Inside ND Sports
• Follow us on Instagram: @insideNDsports