Chat Transcript: What has separated Notre Dame from a national title run?
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat on the day before Spring Football at ND begins.
Some quick programming notes:
We're going to continue the chats through spring football on a weekly basis, but we're going to have to shift those away from the normal Wednesday time slot on some weeks. I'll post and tweet more details next week.
► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, it keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation. We’re back in our normal Monday at 7 ET time slot. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube.
► Tyler James and I will be back with a new podcast on Friday. On our most recent Inside ND Sports Podcast, Dennis Dodd, national college football writer for CBS Sports joined Tyler and me. Dodd discussed the push for more automatic qualifiers for conferences in the College Football Playoff, if Notre Dame should be worried about that model, if the CFP can compete with the NFL for ratings, why conference teams would still be interested in scheduling Notre Dame, what the NIL injunction will eventually lead to, who will decide the future for college athletics and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.
► Finally, we’re in the midst of a busy run-up to Notre Dame spring football at WSBT radio season, and Darin Pritchett and I are together this week Wednesday and Friday on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. You can download episodes as podcasts.
And of course we'll have scads of coverage Thursday from the first day of spring practice, including video content. So please check that out at insideNDsports.com. (I know I just said finally in the last post, sorry.)
As far as this week's chat …
PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question(s). If you want to include whether it feels like spring where you are, that is optional.
Here are the rules:
Eric Hansen: And off we go ...
Chris from Altoona, Pa.: I love the chats every week and I've finally decided to get involved today. I love Notre Dame so much but have only been there once for a game I hope I can get back this year. My question is to be a serious national title contender you either have to be Alabama and Georgia who have talent everywhere or have an elite first round quarterback like Burrow Lawrence McCarthy Watson. Do you agree and do you think Riley Leonard or CJ Carr can be that guy. Thanks for your great coverage.
Eric Hansen: Chris, for a first-time question, you hit it out of the park. I think if you're boiling down that concept of what it takes to win a national title to its simplest elements, that's a pretty good depiction. But let me answer it this way, the truth for teams like Notre Dame is in between those two concepts. You need talent at other positions. You need DEPTH at other positions. And you still need to be good at the five metrics that have stood the test of time consistently since the start of the BCS/Playoff Eras (1998-present): Pass-efficiency/Rush offense/Rush defense/Total defense/Turnover margin. But in pinpointing ND's distance from winning a title or every winning a playoff game, having that elite QB has been a missing element. The question is why? Is it mis-evaluations? Not aiming high enough in recruiting? A broken or inconsistent player development model?
I think that's where the debate is for Notre Dame. Having said that, I think they're in a better place in all of those areas -- evals, recruiting, development model than they've been for some time. ... as in before the Brian Kelly Era.
Skip from Houston: Anything new on Gabe Rubio's return? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Skip, I don't expect to get clarity there until after spring semester at the earliest.
Lorne from Reno, Nev.: I hope you'll excuse a mini-rant. I am one of those weirdos who was fine with the single championship game (which this year would have pitted Michigan against Washington) and likes the 4-team BCS. Does the 12th- or 14th-best team really deserve to be in the playoffs? I understand that this is about money -- 11 playoff games generates a lot more than 3, and we can keep the league championships! -- but this cheapens regular season games and makes non-playoff bowls even more irrelevant. Without discussion of cutting the number of games or eliminating league championship games, this is also a dangerous escalation of the risk of injury for the young students who may now play 17 games in a season. Other than the flippant "they play more in the NFL," has there been any real consideration of the health factor or can we expect an eventual March-Madness type playoff with every bowl game being a part of a BCS "tournament"?
Eric Hansen: Hi Lorne. I'll let your rant stand (not that I'm co-signing on everything, but you made some clear points) and get to your question. No, I don't think this is headed to a March Madness style bracket. The 14 vs. 12 doesn't add another round of games. Why the expansion, because the leagues with the power want protection of/for their participation, and they need to give the Group of 5 access to avoid a lawsuit they may lose.
Related Content
► Notre Dame football depth chart projection ahead of 2024 spring practice
► Notre Dame Football 2024 Scholarship Chart
► WBB: Olivia Miles leaves no doubt about her return next season to Notre Dame WBB
► Chat Transcript: What has separated Notre Dame from a national title run?
► Notre Dame MBB 2025 targets and prospects well represented in new Rivals150
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tom from Golden Beach, Florida: What are the chances that Mitchell Evans will be healthy enough to play by August?
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. I'll make sure Mitchell gets asked about tomorrow ... as well as the other guys on the mend. But the original timeline has him on track to be ready to go in August. Obviously, timelines can be sped up or slowed down, based on what's happening in the rehab.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. I think everyone is fairly concerned about the offensive line and wide receiver play for next season. Heading into the spring with no look at the team yet , on a scale of one to 10 how confident are you that each of these position groups can develop enough by the fall to have Notre Dame be a contender to at least win a playoff game? Also, what three things will you be looking at the most the first day of practice? As always, thanks for hosting the chat, and all the great insights.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. It's always a great week when there's football contained in it ... and where we are! Thanks for the questions. ... What I can give you a 10 out of 10 on is my ability to have a better answer at the end of spring practice about the trajectory of those position groups than I do now, because there will be infinitely more data to make those kinds of projections. So let me start with my process of how to affix a number to that now. Here are some things that make me push that number higher on the scale:
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock's presence on the staff and a long runway to spring practice. Hiring him in December, and not February, is a huge advantage. His past association with WRs coach Mike Brown and QBs coach Gino Guidugli also potentially improves that process ... big time. I think Notre Dame has talent and numbers at those positions ... but not a lot of starting experience at ND. ... The you factor is what kind of leadership there might be on the offensive side of the ball ... and how will a QB competition affect the development of the other positions if at all. Having said all of that, I'd go with a 6 out of 10. I think any more optimistic than that, based on the number of unknowns, would be dabbling in opening up a psychic hotline.
So, the first day of practice, NOT IN PADS, we won't get a good look at line play or tackling for example. Based on what we do see, I'm eager to see where certain players line up ... such as Brenan Vernon for example. I'll be looking at the speed of the skill position players. That's something you can get a feel for on day 1. I'll also be looking at the quarterbacks, how they throw, whether/how they lead.
Jules, Joliet, Ill: Thanks for all of your (and Tyler’s) excellent chats, podcasts and videos. The next big recruiting event, I believe, is the Blue/Gold game. What events are scheduled after that?
Eric Hansen: Hi Jules. The Blue-Gold weekend (April 20) will likely be a significant recruiting weekend, but there will be lots of unofficial visitors from both the 2025 and 2026 classes coming to campus throughout March and April, and beginning with a rather sizeable contingent this weekend. AFTER the Blue-Gold Game, which was your question, Notre Dame will start hosting OFFICIAL visits for the 2025 class beginning with the first weekend in June.
Ced Walker from Saginaw, Mich.: saginaw pride with spring practice starting Thursday do u really think depth at safeties will be our weakness going in spring practice here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us
Eric Hansen: Hi Ced. I don't see safety as a weakness, not with a unanimous All-American anchoring the position. I also feel good about grad transfer Rod Heard II, who is in South Bend this semester finishing his degree work at Northwestern remotely. He won't be able to participate in spring practice, but he can watch and learn. He'll enroll in June. I like the potential of several of ND's young safeties, and because Heard is not in spring ball, we'll get to see most of them get significant reps. My football hunch/crush is on Luke Talich.
Joe H from Williams Bay, Wis.: Hi Eric So excited for spring practice to begin Thursday I know everyone has a lot of questions about position battles especially on offense but I was wondering what you’re most interested in seeing from players on the defensive side and what you’re hoping to see from certain players that have a chance to be major contributors this year that haven’t played or shown much in the past?
Eric Hansen: Hi Joe. Yes, even though there are a lot of returning/established players on defense, there are a lot of players worth tracking. The three positions I'm most interested in seeing how they play out from top to bottom are: the safety position next to Xavier Watts, the CB position opposite Ben Morrison, middle linebacker and the field end vacated by Javontae Jean-Baptiste. But there are individual players at other positions I am very curious about, like Boubacar Traore, Kahanu Kia, Tyson Ford, Brenan Vernon and Jaylen Sneed.
J Buckley from San Diego: Spring Ball, lets Go :), Thanks as always for taking the time to answer our questions, what happened to B Vernon, looked to be a beast coming out of HS? Also, can you give us an update on the D-line, we need that beef in the middle and some freak athletes on the ends, how's that working out? THANKS
Eric Hansen: Hey J. If you go to our DEPTH CHART PROJECTIONS — and those will be updated after practice on Thursday — it will help you get a visual of depth at the D-line positions, who's playing where and where's the beef. The question that will be answered this spring for Brenan Vernon, what's the best path forward -- outside at field end or inside at defensive tackle? He's very highly thought of. My sense is that he'll be an inside guy moving forward.
Curt from Warsaw, Ind.: This team looks to have a lot of talent on it. The QB room has depth. What would you say is your biggest concern with this team?
Eric Hansen: All the newness on the offensive line. There could be five starters who have never started a complete season.
Dave from DC: Thanks again for doing the chat, Eric! Over the years I've noticed that certain talented players have been caught in between positions, and that their success has often hinged on tailoring their physical traits to their position. Harrison Smith, Theo Riddick, Chris Martin, CJ Prosise, and JOK come to mind. Which player on this year's roster will be most impacted by where and what position they play?
Eric Hansen: Hi Dave, with the growth of the transfer portal, we will have fewer stories, I believe, in drastic position switches. Not eliminating them completely, but fewer of them and more subtle. So, Brenan Vernon, who I just mentioned, and Tyson Ford are two who come to mind. I think LB Jack Kiser moving inside is going to benefit him and the Irish. Curious what Josh Burnham can do at field end.
Ed from Sayville, N.Y.: Top of the morning to you Eric. With the state of the union address on tap for tomorrow night, could you review your thoughts on how Coach Freeman’s program stands with respect to recruiting, support from the administration, player development, facilities, strength and conditioning, and prospects for a landing spot for Olympic sports should the ACC catch the next train for the coast?
Eric Hansen: Hi Ed. Wow, you kind of threw a grenade in the punch bowl at the end of that question. ... Let me start with that one first. (And yes, I did get the American Pie reference, well played). I don't think Notre Dame is concerned at this point with the ACC imploding, whether or not Florida State can legally maneuver out of it. If it does. I think there's confidence ND will be able to adapt well. ... So to your others, as Jack Swarbrick officially steps aside later this month as athletic director, I think there's optimism about how all those other areas continue to trend positively.
Skip from Houston: What are you hearing about Micah Bell? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: He's fast. He's put on weight. He has a chance to play himself into a rotational role at a very deep position.
Eric Hansen: Tom from Kennesaw, I fumbled your question and accidentally deleted it instead of publishing it. I think the gist of it was you were wondering about how well ND did in tight end recruiting vs. tight end development. ... I would say they are strong at both. And that feeds recruiting and also may challenge it. Because there are always good tight ends on the roster, some prospects may want a clearer path to guaranteed playing time. Others will be encouraged by how the tight ends are used and how it's a pipeline position to the NFL and be encouraged to choose the Irish.
Sean from Schaumburg, Ill.: Mr. Hansen, FNS is great. This will be long-Big Ten/SEC are trying to bully their way into the most possible CFP spots/top of the food chain. Similar to my stance on them trying to control how the CFP is choreographed/leaving NCAA. Shocking. 14 teams is absurd. Shouldn't this mean the end of Conf Cham games? Go back to 11 games. If 3 from BT/SEC get in there's no reason to have it. 2 from ACC/B12. Group of 5 team. 3 at-large bids. I don't like it. This is an overt act to exclude ND. I know being in the top 14, in theory, should save them. FSU this past season should be a warning. I'm a firm believer the NCAA/ACC(NC State game in monsoon/no penalty for UNC for sham classes/majors/baseball team not hosting a super regional)tries to stick it to ND as much as possible. I think it's time to join BT before they get hosed out of a CFP spot like FSU this past season. Different note-how can MF/Denbrock/Rudolph have the OL ready for the season from game 1? They can't work into form by game 3 or 4. Go Irish. Go Cubs.
Eric Hansen: Sean, progress isn't always a straight line. You are forgiven on the long and winding road here, after much progress with focusing your questions ... but it is difficult to unpack everything and not take up the rest of the chat time doing so. ... It seems to be a common theme in all of your questions and opinions that you would like Notre Dame to join the Big Ten and you'd like it to happen yesterday. Even if that was the all-curing elixir your hope it will be, there are legal entanglements/commitments to the ACC that are not going to just dissolve. Keep in mind, the Notre Dame administration doesn't necessarily perceive the alarm bells you do. What moves the needle for them in that regard would be: Closed access to compete for a national title, an uncompetitive media rights deal, or nowhere to house their basketball and Olympic Sports teams. None of those things are a reality now. None of them are trending in that direction at the moment. Could that change? Sure.
But you don't need to make a pre-emptive move based on what might happen. ... I don't think eliminating conference title games is unrealistic, but I do think rolling back to 11 regular-season games is very unrealistic. Only 14 of the now 134 FBS teams make the playoff. So you're asking 120 of them to give back revenue? That's not going to happen. ... And ND's assurance of being included at No. 14 or better in a 14-team playoff is actually a better deal than they would have had with a 12-team playoff, where realistically they'd need to be top 10. You don't have to like it. I also think you should feel good that new AD Pete Bevacqua appears to have the clout and connections that will help ND keep its seat at the table nationally as college sports and college football rapidly evolve.
Your last two points. How can ND have its O-line ready? Lots of hard work. And even then the best O-lines are not peaking in August and September. There are some things that can only be experienced at game speed and in game situations to foster cohesion and growth. ... As far as "Go Cubs", that's out of my purview.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric, Thanks for hosting. Hopefully no extra caffeine needed for this week's question. After reviewing the results of the combine, where would ND rank in top 25 for 2024 based upon speed at all positions, especially the skill positions? Is that ranking going to change with the new recruiting classes? It seems the team is still slower than the elite teams.
Eric Hansen: Hi Len. I don't need extra caffeine, but maybe a magic wand. I will do my best. I lean on Tom Lemming, longtime recruiting analyst and publisher of the Prep Football Report, for these types of questions. He travels thousands of miles and sees almost every legit prospect in every cycle in person and does extensive film study. Even with that, it's hard to put in terms of a top 25. Track or combine speed doesn't always equate to football production. There are elite speed players, for instance, who lack NFL production, for instance, and then there's Kyren Williams, who was way more productive that what the stopwatch indicates. Also a 4.5 for a 6-3 cornerback with a 39.5-inch vertical and long arms is not the same for a 5-10 corner with short arms and less explosiveness.
Having said all of that, Notre Dame, in its evaluations, values speed and verifiable speed at that. You look at cornerback and safety, and I think Notre Dame measure up very well there ... and its No. 1 ranking last season in pass-efficiency defense aligns with that. I like the speed of this linebacker group in 2024. I think there's plenty of speed at running back, especially with Jeremiyah Love. Where Notre Dame has lagged is speed up and down the wide receiver group. Spring football should give us our first glimpse as to whether players like Kris Mitchell and Cam Williams will help close that gap.
An addendum to the speed question. Tom Lemming just called, and he said D-line speed has room to improve as well.
Robb, Colorado: I’m curious if you think any QB other than Leonard can be QB1 barring an injury. Just like with Hartman the writing seems to be on the wall. Not opposed to Leonard, just curious if Angelli in particular will get a true chance.
Eric Hansen: Having seen both Leonard and Angeli play, I would bet on Leonard. And to be honest, Angeli had outperformed my expectations for him at every turn. If he elects to stay and play for the Irish in 2024, I feel like ND will have very good depth at the QB position.
Roger from Peoria: Eric: Can you provide a primer on recruiting? With thousands of high school teams and dozens of players on each team, there is a huge number of potential recruits. How does ND begin the process of determining which players to consider? Input from high school coaches whether solicited by ND or not? Or from a network of trusted ND evaluators? Or from camps or competitions held by various groups? Or from players submitting unsolicited tapes? Certain high schools are elite, of course, such as IMG. But how would ND learn about someone like Aneyas Williams from Hannibal, MO? I recall he camped at ND but how would ND have known they wanted him to camp at ND? Are the campers invited and, if so, how does ND determine who to invite? ND certainly could not let everyone who wants to camp, do so. Any idea on how many ND employees are involved in the recruiting process? And who makes the final decision to extend an offer? Freeman? The position coach? Full disclosure! I do NOT have a football playing son.
Eric Hansen: Hi Roger. There's too much for me here to unpack it all and do it justice in a chat format. I will put in the pile of good story ideas to get to in the coming weeks. I do think there's value to answering all parts of your questions, and I think it deserves depth and accuracy that a story could bring. But what I can say is there are so many different paths to a player getting on and staying on Notre Dame's radar, and you mentioned some of them.
Ryan mars pa: Good afternoon Eric with practice starting tomorrow will Rocco spindler be on the field GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈
Eric Hansen: We'll find out together. But it's my expectation that he will be.
Patrick, Fort Wayne, IN: Good afternoon Eric. How will Jordan Faison handle spring practice and Lacrosse play time? Also, I sense Brenan Vernon has gotten lost in all the talk about the DL. He was a highly touted prospect coming out of H.S. and I have not heard mention of his development. Where does he line up and what is his forecast?
Eric Hansen: I've got a preliminary answer on it, but want to drill down on that with Marcus Freeman tomorrow. There are not actual lacrosse games and ND practices that conflict. it's about working in both practices. But man is he everything he was advertised to be in lacrosse ... and more.
Chris in Albuquerque: Hey Eric, What precedent do you think the Dartmouth basketball team will set in college sports. Why don't they just supersize the scholarship to add 30k so the kids can live? Thoughts? Have a great day!
Eric Hansen: Lots of appeals ahead, but the amateur sports model is changing for sure. Oh how we'd all love it to be so simple and uniform as your suggestion, but it won't be, I assure you. To me, the question is how will the college sports culture evolve as the model changes?
Tom from Kennesaw, Ga.: Eric, with the defense expected to be so far ahead of the offense in most categories, how do you think we will be able to get an honest appraisal of the offense during spring practice. New offensive system, QB battle(?), untested OL....there is a lot to overcome especially against a possible Top10 Defense... Thanks. Go Irish!!
Eric Hansen: Tom, I'm glad you chimed back in and hopefully I did your deleted question justice. So out of extreme guilt, I will also answer this one. ... The answer is you don't get an honest evaluation of that, and the coaches know that. But that doesn't mean there isn't useful big-picture information that can be gleaned as well as information to make individual personnel decisions. What we (media) have to be careful of is drawing too many conclusions. Spring football is way more about impressions than conclusions. And I will reminds myself of that every day.
Eric Hansen: Tim from Nantucket, can you email me? (ehansen@insidendsports.com). It's a question about our web site and maybe one of our competitors' sites. I will try to help you as best as I can, but I am not understanding the problem.
Shaw from St. Augustine: PFF and conversation always talk big about Morrison. But he does seem to rely a lot on holding. I know it's common among players in the NFL. But, is that a sign that he actually lacks makeup speed? Has that been noted?
Eric Hansen: Shaw, I would take Ben Morrison and his speed on my team any day of the week in any season.
Rui from Ossining, NY: Good day Eric...want to make sure that i word this correctly...using Al Golden and his extension of a contract as an example...if an NFL team comes in, wants to hire Golden, is there buyout clause within his contract that the NFL team has to pay Notre Dame? My guess, i assume there isn’t, BUT can ND insert the clause within the contract should Golden be ok with it, knowing that he will get his wish of an NFL job/or stay at ND, but also make sure that ND is taken care of financially( for investing in him )...hoping my question makes sense and thank you ahead of time.
Eric Hansen: Hi Rui. Let me put this in more general terms. Contracts for coordinators the caliber of Notre Dame's would generally have guarantees and buyouts both ways with that number coming down the deeper into the contract it goes. So, while signing a four-year extension doesn't necessarily guarantee four more years at ND, it does show an intention to do so and a higher likelihood. But coaches move up the food chain all the time, and if Al Golden wants to do that, I would think there would be ways to do so.
Scott, Augusta Ga: Eric, you and Tyler continue to give all the ND fans some great insight on the full spectrum that is ND football. I suspect we'll have a large contingent of recruits for the spring game. Have you heard if we will have some of the alumni greats attending as well? I can only think that having a Montana, a Rocket, a Bus driving them in or some of the current NFL stars attend, would add a level of awe or excitement to the moment. Thoughts? And thanks for the continued excellence you provide!
Eric Hansen: Scott, I really appreciate the compliments. And thanks to everyone else who also did. Sometimes I get so locked into the question, I get sloppy with my manners. ... I would be surprised if Notre Dame didn't continue the legacy weekend concept. SHOCKED, in fact. It has been so well received on every front, and I'll be sure to have more details about this year's as we get closer to the Blue-Gold Game date.
Jay: Eric- do you think coach freeman now has enough experience to beat the teams they should beat ? Took BK awhile before he reached his prime. I think we have the talent to win a NC but not sure coach Freeman is ready for prime time.
Eric Hansen: Beating the teams Notre Dame "should beat" and winning the national title are two different things entirely. To win a national title, you have to beat some teams in which you're the underdog as well.
Mike from Rockville, MD: Hi, Eric! Thanks for these chats! I've heard in years past that some of ND coaches visit other college and NFL teams to learn about different schemes, exchange ideas, etc. Have you heard that happening (or going to happen) this year? If so, who went and where did they go?
Eric Hansen: Answered that last week. Check the transcript.
Eric Hansen: OK, I emptied the queue, so that'll do it until next week. Remember, we'll move the chat off Wednesday some weeks because of conflicts with practice access. So I'll make sure to keep you all up to date on our site and on my Twitter/X feed of when those changes happen. Thanks for all the great questions and for keeping your shoes on.
---------------------------------------------------------------
• Talk with Notre Dame fans on The Insider Lounge.
• Subscribe to the Inside ND Sports podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Podbean or Pocket Casts.
• Subscribe to the Inside ND Sports channel on YouTube.
• Follow us on Twitter: @insideNDsports, @EHansenND, @TJamesND and @cbowles01.
• Like us on Facebook: Inside ND Sports
• Follow us on Instagram: @insideNDsports