Chat Transcript: ND's best-case QB scenario, Freeman's coaching evolution
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, Post-Gator Bowl Edition.
Some quick programming notes:
► Our Inside ND Sports Podcast presented by Dead Soxy records on Thursday this week. So be sure to look for it on our homepage or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Podbean and Pocket Casts. Or better yet, subscribe, so you don't miss an episode.
► After a one-week hiatus for Christmas break and travel, Tyler James and I were back with our YouTube show, Monday Night Live, on Monday, Jan. 2. In that episode, we break down the Gator Bowl’s takeaways — short term and long term, the future of the QB position at ND, roster churn season and some quick predictions on the 2023 season. When 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.
As for today's chat, please remember to include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question(s).
Here are the rules:
Let's get started.
Joe C. from Massapequa, N.Y.: Happy New Year Eric! Appreciate your coverage very much and looking forward to an exciting offseason and Spring updates. My question is a simple one: Is ND better with Sam Hartman for one season IF it results in TB12 transferring? Or , is the version of Tyler Buchner we saw in the Gator Bowl good enough to say he can lead ND to a playoff appearance? Thus passing on Hartman.
Eric Hansen: Hi Joe and Happy New Year. The way you've set up your question doesn't leave the outcome that I think it’s the most likely, and that's this: When you take a transfer of that caliber, it always has the potential to create ripples. Do I think taking Sam Hartman for one year is worth the RISK of losing Tyler Buchner, who has up to three years left? Yes I do. Because Hartman is a known quantity who can elevate the QB position at ND where it hasn't been since Jimmy Clausen. However, that doesn't mean Buchner WILL transfer. I would argue that if the chemistry is good between the two, Hartman can help Buchner become a better quarterback long term. Buchner would still then have two years to compete to be the starter. Without Hartman, you have three career starts at QB1 and zero career passes thrown among your backups. I still really like Buchner's potential, but he needs time to develop after missing the 2018 and 2020 seasons in high school and most of the 2022 season in college. So he's still an unknown.
Now had ND brought in someone like Hudson Card from Texas (who landed at Purdue), that would not have made sense for Buchner and maybe the others to be patient, since Card has multiple years of eligibility. Buchner as the starter in 2024 is still an ideal timeline, with presumably Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey, and CJ Carr — as a freshman — all developing behind him and pushing him. And if he doesn't turn out to be the QB Tommy Rees thought he'd be, then one of the young QBs would overtake him.
Rich Key West: I am totally confused with the snap management from Al Golden on his linebacker squad. Liufau led the linebackers in snap counts for the regular season and had the least production of the three starters. With essentially twice the number of snaps than Kiser he had fewer tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. Kiser was on the bench for most of the second half of the season in favor of an extra defensive back, and it seems to me like rather than lose his production sliding him over to Will would have made a lot of sense. What do you think Liufau brings to the table production-wise, not potential-wise, that Golden bases his playing time on?
Eric Hansen: Hi Rich. I think early in the season, the premise was that Marist Liufau had missed the entire 2021 season and thus would eventually catch up from a production standpoint to the potential a lot of folks — including me — had for him. I think Liufau put a lot of pressure to be that guy — the breakout star — and he ended up missing the routine by trying to do the spectacular. You could make a case that by late in the season there was enough of a pattern established for Jack Kiser to play more. The dilemma was there wasn't a viable backup rover ready to play. I think next year Jaylen Sneed will be ready to assume that rover role as a starter with Nolan Ziegler coming on to provide depth. Then you have to sort things out at the weakside and backup middle linebacker positions. Kiser, Liufau, Prince Kollie and freshman Drayk Bowen all need to get looks in spring at that position. With Junior Tuihalamaka growing into a vyper end, perhaps Bowen could back up JD Bertrand in the middle.
But whoever comes out No. 3 in that Will linebacker competition isn't going to be happy. And there needs to be an open competition.
Kevin from Lake Geneva, Wis.: There are about 94 scholarship players potentially available, not counting any further portal additions, for the 2023 season. Do you know of potential transfer out or injuries or whatever to get down to 85?
Eric Hansen: With Brandon Joseph declaring for the NFL Draft, the number is actually 93. Check out our 2023 scholarship chart, which we keep updated throughout the offseason. Keep in mind, ND is often in the 90s during the winter and spring and doesn't have to be to 85 until the first day of fall-semester classes. Marcus Freeman and his staff have a pretty good idea of who is contemplating transfers and who might be an injury hardship. Some players may want to battle through spring practice to see where they stand before using the later portal window, which runs from May 1-15. Justin Ademilola, with NFL aspirations, also needs to decide whether he wants to use his sixth college season or move on.
Marie from Atlanta: Happy New Year, Eric! All the best to you in 2023. What a great win for the Irish in the Gator Bowl. What things do you need to see happen in the offseason for this defense to become playoff/championship level? Particularly, with regards to the defensive line and the linebackers. Also, with the loss of Brandon Joseph, do you see Clarence Lewis switching to safety? Is it realistic to think the defense could reach championship level next year or do you think ND is still a few seasons away from developing a championship-level defense? Thanks for hosting the chat and your insights.
Eric Hansen: Happy New Year, Marie. I think there are a few elements that can make nudge ND's defense in a championship-level direction. Let's start with the rover position. Jaylen Sneed has a lot of the same traits that made Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah an All-American and allowed Notre Dame to play nickel defense when it wanted to, not because it had too. That made ND a tougher team to run against without compromising its pass defense. If/when Sneed reaches that point, that's step 1. ND will finish this season ranked 22nd in total defense, but 37th against the run isn't good enough. Nor is being 50th in third-down defense, 130th in red zone defense and 100th in turnovers gained.
I think recruiting and development on the defensive line needs to take a step up. Portal additions are necessary this offseason, I would say at edge and inside. There's plenty of talent at linebacker, so it's a matter of getting the best players on the field. ND is looking at a portal addition at safety, and I think that's a good thing. So your timetable depends a lot on what happens this offseason with development and portal additions. I'll have a better answer for you in the spring, rather than a guess. But I think it can be done. Clarence Lewis at safety? Some of that depends on how college-ready early enrollee Christian Gray is at cornerback and how Cam Hart plays after another shoulder surgery. There may be some attrition at corner this offseason, so you may need Lewis there for depth.
Dan from Plymouth, Mich.: I enjoy your work, guys! Now that Patterson and Lugg have exhausted their eligibility, who’s next at the GUARD spots? Is it Spindler time?
Eric Hansen: Dan, I think I remember meeting you before the Blue-Gold Game when I had to do some TV stuff. ... And thanks. Re Rocco, remember it's the best five, not the best upcoming guards, so backup tackles will also be in the mix. So essentially -- unless someone surprises, you have Andrew Kristofic, Rocco Spindler, Tosh Baker, Michael Carmody and Billy Schrauth all competing for two spots. My bold prediction is that Schrauth takes one of those spots. That leaves four really good players battling for the other spot. Kristofic has the edge with experience. So Rocco would have to have a great spring to leap over him. He's certainly talented, but I don't think he has the inside track unless my read on Schrauth is off.
Don: Happy New Year from rainy Los Angeles. Any chance Rees/Freeman/Chansi go back to CJ Williams, or is he UCLA-bound? Or maybe we are done at WR for now? Finally, any thoughts on who a safety portal pick could be. As always, thanks for your thoughtful analysis.
Eric Hansen: Notre Dame will have 10 wide receivers on the roster (nine this spring) without CJ Williams. So from a math standpoint it makes sense to be done with that position group. However, Williams would be the highest-rated wide receiver on the roster (based on his ranking coming out of high school) should he end up at ND and that is a reasonable scenario. Should Williams follow through on his intention and actually take the portal plunge, I expect there to be interest from Notre Dame. But he better be ready to compete. There is quantity and quality now in the wide receiver room. At USC this past season, Williams played in 10 games and caught four passes for 34 yards.
As far as safety help from the portal, Oklahoma State's Thomas Harper arrived Wednesday night for a visit to Notre Dame. He's one of the top options at the moment.
Frank from Royse City, Texas: Eric, Happy New Year to you and your family. Does the ND coaches know what players are transferring at this point? If ND doesn’t get transfers at DL and safety would you consider this an absolute failure by ND?
Eric Hansen: Happy New Year Frank. ND has a pretty good idea who is going to transfer or who is considering it either now or in May. I would not consider it an absolute failure to your latter question, because of the limited pool of players ND can pursue in the portal, but the preference is to add at both those positions.
Ben from Hinsdale Ill.: Hi Eric, with regards to turnover at the WR position do you envision multiple freshmen to be primary contributors next season?
Eric Hansen: Hey Ben, let's assume there are no surprise transfers out from that position group. I think your three starters come from the three sophomores and freshman Tobias Merriweather. So Jayden Thomas, Lorenzo Styles, Deion Colzie and Merriweather are going to be the core. ND is not bringing in Virginia Tech transfer Kaleb Smith to sit. So I would say of the four freshmen coming in — Jaden Greathouse, Rico Flores Jr., Braylon James and the other Kaleb (KK) Smith, Greathouse is the one most likely to make the rotation. Also Matt Salerno is coming back for a sixth year.
Michael from Elkview, W.Va.: Did Ben Morrison suffer a concussion in the bowl game?
Eric Hansen: Michael, the postgame press conference was unusually short with very limited question opportunities (and a couple of silly ones that helped no one). So while that was that assumption regarding Benjamin Morrison leaving the game, it was never officially confirmed. Next time we have Marcus Freeman in front of us, we'll make sure that gets asked.
Chris in Albuquerque, N.M.: A great 2023 to you and all on this board today! Tell me we get Sam Hartman and Anthony Lucas this week.
Eric Hansen: With the NCAA recruiting dead period for transfers ending yesterday, face-to-face contact is now back in play, so I'd expect the Sam Hartman transfer to move quickly now. Anthony Lucas is a stud defensive lineman ND pursued in the 2022 recruiting cycle who ultimately chose Texas A&M. He played seven games (10 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hurry) for the Aggies before being suspended with three other players for a locker room incident. He has the versatility to play inside of at the field end. I understand Lucas had worked his way back into good standing, but he is opting for the portal anyway. The suspension is a sticky situation, but ND has a long history with the kid and his family, so they're not strangers and I'm told there is interest in Lucas.
John from Indianapolis: Hi, Eric. I join the ranks of first-time questioners who have long appreciated and admired your insightful coverage of Notre Dame football through the years. And once again, you have provided excellent insight and analysis into this year's team. Your talent as a writer also shines through in your coverage. In looking back on this past season, one of the most intriguing parts of it has been the transparency and even vulnerability that Marcus Freeman has often displayed in his press conferences about his first year as a head coach, qualities that reflect his genuineness and make me root for him beyond his win and loss record — although I know that's what he will ultimately be judged upon as a coach. You've touched upon those qualities at different points in your coverage. But as his first season has come to an end, can you share your overall thoughts about his openness and vulnerability, and what that's been like for you covering him? Thanks again for sharing your gifts in covering the Irish.
Eric Hansen: Hi John. Thanks for not only submitting a question, but doing so with a large does of compliments. I'm truly humbled. Thank you. Marcus Freeman's openness and vulnerability was as refreshing as it was surprising. And while it may have opened him up to criticism by some people, it opened him up to great relationships with his players. And that made him better. It's funny, the summer before Marcus was hired in January of 2021 as defensive coordinator, I reached out to him at Cincinnati for a story I was doing on cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens. Mickens worked for Freeman at UC and the two were former high school teammates.
And when we spoke, it was like talking to someone I had known my whole life. He was interested in my background too and made me feel at ease with him. That authenticity is an incredibly huge asset and will continue to be in an era in which you not only have to be able to recruit elite high school players and transfers, but you need to continually re-recruit you own roster. Thanks again for jumping in today.
Myliah from El Cerrito, Calif.: Hello Eric. Your chats last year were always a pleasant midweek break from work; I hope they'll provide a little added warmth on this miserable, bomb-cyclone day in the SF Bay Area. ... I've been wondering, how has the development of DE Alexander Ehrensberger from Germany come along? I don't see/read much about him. He was always an interesting project, and I know there's an acute need at edge rusher in 2023. ... Is he panning out? Will he?
Eric Hansen: Thank you, Myliah. Alexander Ehrensberger was ascending in 2021 under Mike Elston and became an afterthought in 2022 under Al Washington. That surprised me. I didn't expect him to be a starter, but I didn't expect him to go backwards, either. Perhaps there's more involved. There's a need for quality players at that field defensive end spot, but unless there's a shift this spring, it feels like he's being jumped over on the depth chart by younger players.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: Can Marist Liufau effectively play defensive end?
Eric Hansen: There was a thought early in his career that he might grow into that position. This late in his career, I'd be surprised if that happens now.
Ced Walker from Saginaw, Mich.: I noticed on und.com on stats they had Ryan "Bo" Barnes with one quarterback hurry. He wasn't dressed for the game. I noticed Philip Riley didn't take a pic with coach Mickens and the group of cornerbacks after the win. An I reading too much into it? God bless the golden standard. Rally. We are ND. Go Irish. Love thee Notre Dame our Mother. Pray for us.
Eric Hansen: Ced, it's a shame there are errors in the official stats that go uncorrected. You are right about Ryan "Bo" Barnes. He didn't play. The official book even had Avery Davis starting for Notre Dame at wide receiver in the game. How can that happen? I'm not sure what you're reading into Barnes and Philip Riley, but they got leaped over by two freshmen and played six defensive snaps all year between them. Maybe Barnes moves to safety, but they could seem to have a decision to make about their futures.
Lavilleman911: just why did you tell drew pyne what you did ?????????????
Eric Hansen: I see that Happy Hour has started?
Dave from D.C.: Is there some surprise around the program that Lorenzo Styles regressed this year? Is he a potential candidate as a slot receiver, with Thomas, Colzie and Merriweather on the outside?
Eric Hansen: Yes, there is surprise around the program — and outside of it, too. He's a very talented receiver with a big spring ahead of him to redefine himself.
Don in Phoenix: Eric, Happy New Year. I know it's longer than a year, but congratulations to you, Tyler and the rest of the staff for a great year 1. Coach Freeman is now starting his second year. What do you think will be his focus this off season compared to last offseason when he was pulled in many directions? As always, thanks for the great work.
Eric Hansen: Hi Don. Thanks for the congrats, and thanks for supporting us through subscribing. It means a lot. I plan to do a larger version of this answer in the not-too-distant future as a story, but I can give you some bullet points. Recruiting (both high school and transfers) will always be on the front burner. He won't likely have much (if any) coaching turnover, but the NFL cycle hasn't begun, so he may have to deal with that at some point. I think a big part of his evolution will be investing in learning more about the nuances of offensive football from an offensive standpoint (not just how to thwart things from the defensive view). I also think he'll want to look back at gameday operations and how those can be improved. How can he impact the game more in a positive way? And he'll look hard at his player development model at all positions.
Jorge from Rowlett, Texas: Happy New Year, Eric!!! Great win by the Irish, especially after playing from behind for the entirety of the first half!!! In watching the game, I couldn't help but notice a certain level of growth and maturity from the coaching staff, especially from Marcus Freeman. How would you summarize his first full year as coach at Notre Dame from last year's bowl through this year's bowl and how does that summary project to the job he'll do as head coach going forward?
Eric Hansen: I want to sit down with him in the not-too-distant future and ask him about that, but from my observations, there's a confidence and an air about him now that he's not just delegating, he's in charge. And I do think in the bowl game, his decisions positively impacted the outcome of that game. One of his biggest strengths, win or lose, is constantly with a critical eye, taking a hard look at how different aspects of his coaching — and the program — can improve.
Tom from Toronto: Hi Eric. I hope that you and your family had a good Christmas and will have a healthy and happy 2023. To borrow from Charles Dickens, it was the best of offensive play-calling and it was the worst of offensive play-calling. On more than a few occasions during the South Carolina game, I thought that it would be good to see coach Rees in the NFL next year. The 100-yard interception for a touchdown on the "play whose time had not yet come", was one of those occasions. On other times, I saw plays that were creative and timely, real works of art, such as ND’s last touchdown and the pass on the fake punt that went for 20 yards and a first down. My late Scottish mother-in-law had a saying that, “the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.” My question is, do you think that coach Rees has shown such skills, creativity and improvement that next year ND should stick with the devil they know? As usual, I appreciate your insights. All the best to you and the InsideNDSports team in the new year. Thank you.
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. Best wishes to you and your family. ... It's Tommy Rees' choice about returning or not. Marcus Freeman isn't trying to push him out the door. Now, a lot of people on our Insider Lounge message board wanted to fire Rees at different junctures during the game. Unless Jack Swarbrick was using an assumed name, it's not happening. Now, could Rees leave for an NFL job, yes it could happen, but I anticipate him coming back for 2023. What I think you're driving at is SHOULD Rees be back? I wish there was a Dickens parallel for me to use to answer, but short of one, I think he is a pretty creative guy with a lot of potential. I think the biggest reason the potential doesn't match production is inexperience. And I think the best thing for Rees and the Notre Dame offense is to hire an experienced analyst this offseason who could act as a sounding board for Rees and help him accelerate his growth curve.
Kevin from Sleepy Eye, Minn.: Eric!! Let's talk NFL vs. the college game a little here. Do you feel college games take too long? Should changes be made to shorten college games?
Eric Hansen: Kevin!! The NCAA implemented some rules to speed up the game a few years ago, and it's helped. For instance, the clock used to stop on every play that went out of bounds and stay stopped until the next snap. Now it's only in the final two minutes of each half. Otherwise, the clock restarts when the ball is spotted. ... The average length of a college game is three hours and 27 minutes. The average time for a Notre Dame game is 3:18. I can live with that.
John from Richardson, Texas: Lifetime Notre Dame fan who is very excited about the current position of the program and its prospects to compete for a national championship. Currently analysts are saying that the defensive line, as it stands now, will be a weakness in 2023. It had been a strength in recent years. I get the feeling that the analysts are overly pessimistic . My question is which lineman borderline men may unexpectedly emerge to be a starter or heavy in the rotation?
Eric Hansen: Hi John. I agree with some of the analysts you've perused. I think the D-line was not as good as it should have been this season and needs to be better in 2023. Part of your answer hinges on Justin Ademilola's return (or not) and portal additions (or not). But if there are going to be surprises, they're going to come from this year's D-line freshman class, who, other than Junior Tuihalamaka, played very little. To me, if there's not multiple members of the group that includes Josh Burnham, Tyson Ford, Aiden Gobaira and Donovan Hinish pushing for spots in the rotation, that's a red flag for me.
If you pinned me down on one surprise player from that group, my expectation is that it would be Ford.
Shane from White Deer, Texas: Hey Eric. I hope you had some great holidays. My question depends on if you were able to watch many of the bowl games. Question - do you believe teams are going on fourth down more now than in the past? I used to be one of those fans that thought teams should go for it when they only had a foot or two to go. Now it seems that teams are willing to go for the first down with yards to go. I think this is happening early in games, not when teams “have” to have it because of minimal time. Is there a trend here, or am I imagining this. Maybe in bowl games teams are willing to take the risk, but I think I have noticed this throughout the season. Any stats on this? Thank you for answering our questions.
Eric Hansen: Happy Holidays Shane. I did see quite a few of the bowl games, at least portions of them. I couldn't find a way to track the total number of fourth downs nationally without hours of math, but I did track the leaders. And the top 10 teams from this year in fourth-down attempts, ranging from 53 to 36, were pretty similar to the range from 2021. But if you roll it back to 2013, the range in the top 10 was from 38 to 29, so yes it appears there were fewer attempts in the past if we can extrapolate those numbers. For the record, Notre Dame attempted 16 this season and its opponents 22 in games against the Irish.
Jim Tal from Valley Center, Calif.: Hi Eric, wishing you and your family the very best and much happiness in 2023. It really was uplifting to see Braden Lenzy go out in such a crackerjack manner in the Gator Bowl. In so many ways, he epitomizes what it means to be a Notre Dame man. The sacrifices he made and the effort he displayed throughout the year was inspiring. And all that despite the fact that he was underutilized and never featured. He clearly showed what he was capable of against South Carolina and what might have been. Eric, in your opinion, what were the prime reasons that held Lenzy back and never allowed him to reach his full potential? It says here he could have been a force to be reckoned with had the environment that surrounded him in South Bend been different. Thank you.
Eric Hansen: Jim, thanks and you as well. Braden Lenzy came in thin and sort of inexperienced as a WR having played a lot of running back in high school. He got injured a lot early in his career. He had a lot of drops in practice. He might have been a kid that hit the portal had the rules now been in effect then. But he stayed, worked his butt off and matured. He was very unselfish. He definitely has my respect.
Bob Gorman from Oak Park Ill.: Eric! Thanks for another outstanding season of insights for ND fans. My questions relate to the best way to stymie Caleb Williams next year and to beat Southern Cal. Williams reminded me of Mohammed Ali, floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee as he backpedaled away from our pressure and then scrambled like Fran Tarkenton. Is there more speed waiting in the wings to play that can hang with him? What would you try to do or who would you play? Do we have to score 40-50+ points?
Eric Hansen: Notre Dame's pass rush is a huge question in 2023, with the all-time sacks leader, Isaiah Foskey, moving on and Keon Keeley decommitting and picking Alabama. Jordan Botelho showed some flashes in the bowl game, but the spring will be very revealing in that regard. When ND plays USC next October, I'd be tempted to line up Jaylen Sneed as a pass rusher on third-and-longs. I think the best was to mitigate Caleb Smith is constant, relentless pressure that doesn't expose your coverage. But it's a good idea to score lots of points and play with the lead.
Joey G from Philadelphia, Pa/: Hi Eric, Happy New Year! After watching the Gator Bowl twice, yes twice! I’ve come to a different conclusion about the game than you. I know you’re going to talk today about how great Tyler Buchner played and how he toughr
Eric Hansen: Joey if only I had the psychic ability that you purport to have, I could answer your question. Not knowing what it is, I'll ask you to kindly resubmit it sometime in the future.
Pat from Buffalo Grove, Ill.: I’m referring to the “catch” by the S Carolina receiver on the side of the end zone that, I believe, tied the game at 38. There was such an obvious puff of white that was kicked up by his foot, that had to mean his foot was out of bounds, yet the announcers never said a thing. They kept replaying it in slow motion, yet they ignored it. How much do you want to bet, had it been an Irish receiver, they would have pointed it out??
Eric Hansen: Pat, if I understand your question, you're not asking me whether he was inbounds but whether then announcers were biased against ND? My critique of them is that they missed some things including the fake field goal, but I thought they were fair to both teams in their comments. So, I guess I would take your bet.
Tom from Sister Lakes, Mich.: Eric, Happy New Year. You often refer to how players grade out on PFF. Who does the grading? Are all FBS players graded? If so, that's an awful lot of players to grade. I hope this is done by real football people and not some electronic technology. Please describe the process for us. Thank you.
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom and Happy New Year. Pro Football Focus uses real humans ... lots of them, and not bots. They grade every FBS team and they do it overnight to have them ready by Sunday morning ... all except special teams, which shows up a day or two later. Here's a link that goes into more details about how they pull this off and what goes into a player's grade.
Irish Mike from Altoona, Pa.: Happy New Year Eric! After Tyler Buchner’s Gator Bowl performance are you still advocating for Sam Hartman? After listening to Mike Goolsby’s podcast, I’m leaning towards not bringing another QB in, via the portal!
Eric Hansen: Happy New Year and yes.
Curt from Warsaw, Ind.: Eric, do you see the Irish signing anymore high school players in this class?
Eric Hansen: Hi Curt. I really don't. Most of what's left of projects (with some exceptions), and ND needs impact players, which means transfers.
Vince from Burdett, N.Y. In the bowl game did Jaylen Sneed have a personal fowl penalty? How was his play in general? Marcus Freeman looked upset with him coming off the field, but TV is so hard to really know. Also what was Ben Morrison’s injury and his status now ? Thank you !!
Eric Hansen: Hi Vince. Jaylen Sneed had one tackle and two 15-yard penalties. I think he got a little too wired playing against his home-state school. Played fast and physical. I expect big things from him in the spring. ... Both the press conference and TV did not confirm Benjamin Morrison's injury that we believe to be concussion-related.
Jim from Oakwood, Ohio: Hi Eric. Wishing you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year! I loved your lede, and alliteration (persistent postseason parade), in the Jarrett Patterson story last Thursday. You crushed it. You expressed his perspective and thoughts about not opting out but rather playing for the group goals rather than making a "business" decision. A wonderful story. Talk about team-first culture and character, wow! Even after he endured a very tough year physically and is on the threshold of an NFL career. My question is whether or not Jack Swarbrick has granted your request for a postseason interview about the past season and his thoughts about coach Freeman's successful performance? Thanks for all of your great work. Be well.
Eric Hansen: Jim, thank you and best wishes to you and yours. The Golics recently had Jack Swarbrick on a podcast and did a really good job with it. I have not submitted my request, wanting to put a little distance in there and wait until the national championship game was over. I will keep you posted.
Lorne from Reno, Nev.. I’m not going to quibble about things that were bad or could have been better in the bowl game or this season — always with the negative waves, Moriarty. I’m very happy for Braden Lenzy — what a way to end your career. I’m excited about Sam Hartman and Tyler Buchner both being on our team next year (still hoping on the first one). I’m happy for coach Freeman and his strong recruiting class and 6-1 finish. Looking forward to watching that loaded backfield again. Ben Morrison — wow. Thankful for the careers of all the players who will be moving on, and wishing those who go that route luck and success in the NFL. It is a joy to watch these young men grow from high school prospects into great football players and, almost without exception, fine representatives of the university. Finally, thankful for this chat and the excellent coverage provided by you, this site, and the rest of the media covering the Irish. Happy New Year, and go Irish!
Eric Hansen: Thank you, Lorne!
Len from the Jersey Shore: Happy New Year Eric, Three quick questions today all on roster management. 1-Will Tyler Buchner develop enough accuracy to lead ND to a championship? 2-Is vyper Junior Tuihalamaka and Joshua Burnham best position or a position of need for the team? JT was to be JD's replacement inside with more speed and athletic ability. JB was a "football player” with the rare athletic ability to play many positions. Where did you and the Rivals staff expect them to play? If they bulk up to play vyper, will that weight preclude them from other positions? 3-There was much good and bad in the Gator Bowl. Which position group if any showed the lack of talent to win a natty? Will the portal/incoming class address that deficiency, if any exists in your opinion, adequately? Short answers are OK, and thanks for having these chats.
Eric Hansen: Happy New Year, Len. 1. I believe Buchner will but not in 2023. 2. MLB is Junior's best position today. The belief is his ceiling is higher at vyper, when paired with his body type. 2B. The thought and hope all along was that Joshua Burnham would be a vyper in college. 3. Not sure if it's lack of talent, as much as lack of depth or lack of experience at some positions. Let's see what the portal brings before I address the last part of this. There's new prospects jumping in every day.
Tom from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric, Happy 2023!! Let's hope for a great year. Given Tyler Buchner's performance in the Gator Bowl, do you really think that the QB competition in the fall was as close as Marcus Freeman had us believe?? TB and his skills look much better than Drew Pyne's are. What do you think? Your first answer is spot on. TB had 200 snaps in '22 while Pyne had 683. Last year TB had 165 snaps to Coan's 718. That means in two years TB has less than a half season in experience. He still has a lot of learning and from what I have read Hartman could be a great teacher for Buchner. Your thoughts. Thanks again for a year filled with great insight and help getting us through the really tough times (Marshall and Stanford). Go Irish!!
Eric Hansen: Tom, thank you. We're in lock step when it comes to the thoughts on the QB situation.
Jay from Granger: Is Mike Brey the head coach next season for the Irish.
Eric Hansen: Not for football.
Mark from Orange County, Calif.: Happy New Year, Eric. Towards the end of the season you mentioned some defensive stats where ND performed worse than during the BVG era. Do you think we have the right defensive coordinator to get ND to the playoffs next season?
Eric Hansen: That was early in the season, Mark. It wasn't close at the end. I think we'll see an evolving Al Golden in year 2. So, yes, I am optimistic that Marcus Freemand made the right hire. Happy New Year.
Mike from Baton Rouge, La.: Just a comment. Ehrensberger getting lost under a new coach — disappointing, but a German DL is not exactly a no-brainer. But it "picks at" my Jacob Lacy disappointment. Not that I actually know the kid, but he really seemed like a "ND guy." You've already stated in a few places that Washington has to step up, so I guess I'm just agreeing/venting.
Eric Hansen: Your venting re Jacob Lacey is understandable.
Don from Cincinnati: Eric thanks for your great work! I submitted a question earlier about you opinion about the NIL and transfer portal as it now. I think it will ultimatey be the ruination of college football unless college presidents and fans take a stand. If you got my first question, sorry for the repeat.
Eric Hansen: I did Don. There's some really good questions still in the queue (yours is one of them), and I'm coming up on another work commitment here, so I'm dodging the ones with longer answers and trying to do the ones that allow me to go into lightning-round mode. Thank you for the question, and I get some form of this in every chat now. The short answer is you're right about the POTENTIAL to ruin the sport. But I also think there are people capable of working for a solution.
Tom in Virginia: Brey? Only slightly off topic. Not criticizing the question. Hoping for some insight.
Eric Hansen: It is a football chat, and I try to keep it to that. I did remark on Twitter last night that it feels like the wheels are coming off. Keep your eye on crowd size, apathy and whether this team improves and shows promise for next year. If those three things trend badly, I believe a change is in order.
Adam from Dayton, Ohio: Hi Eric, Happy New Year sir! Made me smile to know you were in Dayton, next time you are in town, you should get a Marion's or Joe's Pizza if you haven't! Those are the type of places that if you move away, you make sure to visit whenever you come back to town. Two questions. 1.What did you think of the Tyler Buchner Experience? The potential is obviously tantalizing, but I think he has some major accuracy concerns. And in my not-expert opinion, I don't think it is all coming from lack of experience/needing more game reps. Is being a playmaker while still having accuracy concerns (Lamar Jackson) good enough? That is my take, what is your take on what Tyler Buchner can be? 2.) The offensive line. Credit because they ran the ball down South Carolina's throat. But Carolina was depleted and not exactly Georgia at full health, and I thought Tyler sure got hit a lot when he was passing. What does the future hold for Hiestand and the offensive line? Do you expect them to be elite in both run and pass blocking?
Eric Hansen: Adam. Happy New Year. I've got a great cook, who I happen to be related to, when I'm in Dayton, so to head out for pizza would not be polite or pragmatic. But thanks. Not sure why you'd eliminate missing three years of football essentially as a factor in accuracy. Sam Hartman missed much less time and yet had a higher completion percentage and pass-efficiency rating EVERY YEAR he was in college. We had Aaron Taylor on our podcast last week and it's his belief that ND will have a Joe Moore Award finalist-caliber line next year.
Eric Hansen: OK, that's going to do it for this week. Thanks for all the great questions. We're going to go into intermittent mode until spring practice starts in March. If there's a full news cycle in the next few days, we'll go ahead and do a chat next week. Happy New Year, everybody.
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