Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, back from an unplanned one-week hiatus.
Some quick programming notes:
► 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 next week after a slight adjustment this week to accommodate my women’s basketball commitments. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube.
► Tyler James and I will be back in weekly podcast mode starting next week. On our most recent Inside ND Sports Podcast, Notre Dame point guard Hannah Hidalgo joined us. Hidalgo became the first freshman in program history to be named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press. Days later, in a much less prestigious honor, she became the first Notre Dame basketball player to appear on the Inside ND Sports Podcast. Hidalgo joined Tyler James and me to discuss her All-America honor, how a loss to NC State ignited ND's late season run, what she's learned from injured junior guard Olivia Miles, where Hidalgo's defensive tenacity comes from, the influence of her parents, how she withstands hitting the court so much, her mindset going into the NCAA Tournament, why she's able to succeed at her size 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.
Related Content
► Shoulder surgery sidelines CB Benjamin Morrison for Notre Dame football
► Jason Onye keeps pushing for improvement in rotational role for Notre Dame
► Why Tosh Baker never left Notre Dame football with starting spots taken
► Video: Marty Biagi’s first Notre Dame press conference of spring practice
► Notre Dame football depth chart projection for spring practice
---------------------------------------------------------------
► Finally, we’re in the thick of Notre Dame spring football coverage and discussion at WSBT radio season. And Darin Pritchett and I are together this week on Wednesday and Thursday 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.
As far as this week's chat …
Please include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your questions. If you want to rub in how warm it is where you are located, do so at your own peril.
Here are the rules:
Eric Hansen: Let the chatting commence.
Bob from Loganville, G.: Eric, In MF presser he mentioned he wanted competition with the QBs. However part of his statement indicates the only competition with RL out is for 3rd and 4th string and only between KM and CJ. It seems to me a true competition would be to have each QB work with the 1s, 2s and 3s to see how they all do with each unit. If KM and CJ only get a shot to win the 3rd string is that interpreted that neither will even get a chance to compete for the back up? If a competition for the back is not legit why would KM stick around? Seems if they don't let him compete for the backup this season why would one think they will allow him to compete for the starting job next year? Or am I reading too much into MF response/comment.
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. Based on your layering of questions, I do think you're reading too much into Marcus Freeman's comments, in a sense. First, he later said this when it comes to the entire quarterback competition picture:
“Every day, you evaluate and say, 'Hey, is there a way to put some pressure on all of them?' I don't want anybody getting comfortable. I don't want Steve to feel here, 'I'm the one, and I'm not worried about Kenny and CJ.' He shouldn't be worried about him. He should be worried about Steve, but at the same point, I don't want him comfortable. You don't want anybody comfortable in a position they're in. You want that competition, that adversity to really get those guys to thrive. So no, this is just for today. I'm sure it will probably be for the next practice, but if there are ways to create competition, we will definitely do it.”
So, I'll try to unpack all the facets of your question while, hopefully, providing you a snapshot of what's happening. There has to be a pragmatic element to a quarterback competition. QBs understand they have to work their way up the depth chart and EARN first-team reps. It's not a given. And to do otherwise would be irresponsible. If you're not going to get a clear picture of who No. 1 is and you're not going to give them the reps they need to learn the offense and build chemistry because you don't want to hurt No. 3's or No. 4's feelings, then you are doing a huge disservice to your team.
I think what's reasonable for Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr to expect is to be developed and have a fair chance to compete to move up when they've earned that opportunity. I think it's reasonable for the coaching staff to expect them to have some patience with the process AND to be ready when their opportunity flashes. Well that happened today. Leonard was on a scooter or crutches during practice. Angeli was out sick. So guess who got first- and second-team reps?
Rich from Key West: Which returning players that were back ups on last year's squad do you think have the best chance to secure a starting job at positions where players were brought in from the transfer portal? In my opinion the overall talent being recruited is improved to the point where transfer portal additions in the coming years may be more for depth than needed as starters.
Eric Hansen: Hi Rich. Let's start with the first part of your question. There are eight scholarship transfers, six of whom are in spring practice (or injured), two of whom will be enrolling in June. Some of them, like Beaux Collins, is at a position where there is an incumbent starter (Jayden Thomas), so we'll take that out of the equation. Lining up the two parameters you gave me, I'd say Kris Mitchell at the field wide receiver is getting a strong push from KK Smith and may eventually get it from Cam Williams as well. As far as the evolution of transfers, it's not always easy to get a good depth piece through the portal. Devyn Ford last year was one, but most guys are in the portal, because they want a better opportunity to play and/or get to the NFL. They're certainly not coming for the weather.
Ryan Mars Pa: Good afternoon Eric how Has Donovan Hinish And Jordan Clark Looked In Practice GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈
Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan. I mentioned this on Football Never Sleeps the other night. No one named Hinish who has shown up at Notre Dame has ever looked like a three-star prospect status they were branded with. He's going to play, even with a very deep interior line rotation. He's tough, productive, quick, easy to like. I like how Jordan Clark moves. Can't wait to see him in a scrimmage situation where I can see his physicality.
Palm Beach Irish: Good day from Milan Italy...Eric you would love the Milanese style Lasagna....What is your opinion of Jack's tenure as AD...for me keeping us independent and having a voice in the CFB playoffs on just those merits get a A from me...What say you....Thanks
Eric Hansen: Buon Giorno, Palm Beach Irish. I don't disagree with your scouting report on how I'd match up with the Milanese Lasagna. ... Now could you figure out how to bring me some? ,,,, I really can't do my assessment of Jack Swarbrick justice. He gets an A from me as well, and the part about keeping Notre Dame completely relevant on the national stage and having a strong voice in discussions about playoff formats, etc.. and the media rights deals can't be overstated.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, thanks for hosting the chat, I I hope you’re having a great week. With the disappointing news about Ben Morrison today, and the sort of vague timeline for his return, do you think Notre Dame will peruse the portal for a cornerback this spring? Switching gears, what do you think the ceiling is for Jerome Bettis Jr. Is there a comp on the current team for him? Do you think that he might eventually switch to defense? Switching to your other area of expertise, if the women’s basketball team gets to the elite eight and plays South Carolina on a scale of 1 to 10 what do you think their chances are of winning the game? Thanks for all your great work, and for all your excellent insights. Enjoy your Easter.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie, and an early Happy Easter to you. Let's start with the Ben Morrison question. In broader terms, Chad Bowden's scouting staff always has to be diligent about these things, because If something more major than this injury happened or another one, you have to be ready to move quickly when the portal opens in mid-April. Having said that, no, I don't think this is where that is headed. ND has nine scholarship cornerbacks and some pretty good quality. And if the Morrison thing was going to be long-term, I think we would have seen Christian Gray and Jaden Mickey split up and play different sides. They were still together, and Clarence Lewis was taking Morrison's reps.
As far as Jerome Bettis Jr., there's not a real obvious comp. Micah Gilbert probably comes to mind, and he kind of had a similar path where he was a bit of a mystery as a junior in high school who ascended dramatically as a senior ... and continues to. Bettis will probably be a boundary receiver as he builds muscle and matures. It's hard to get a sense of his ceiling yet. Again, ND doesn't take every legacy recruit, so they see something in him they really like.
To your women’s basketball question, if Notre Dame beats 3 seed Oregon State on Friday and gets to the Elite Eight, that's quite an accomplishment. I think any team will have low odds to beat South Carolina. They have everything — size, quickness, depth, three-point shooting, elite defense. They do miss free throws. Have to play out of your minds and hope they bring their C game. That's not just ND. That's everyone who's left.
Franz from Niles, Mich.: I am hoping to scoop Marie from Atlanta with a good question (and that would be hard to do). How similar is the terminology of Denbrock's offense compared to what Reese/Parker used? I am thinking about the line calls, protections, routes, hot reads etc. Since they are all branches off of the Brian Kelly coaching tree I would think there would be more similarities than differences. Hopefully the degree of similarity would make the basic install easier for the returning players to grasp. Secondly (since I am wearing a shirt and shoes..) BK's offense at ND was considered more pro-style than many colleges, but didn't BK make a name for himself as an early proponent of a spread offense? What explains that?
Eric Hansen: Hi Franz. Only the shoes are a requirement, and the rest is none of my business, including the shirt. Thank you for not giving the rest of the inventory. 😎 I think there's more of a difference in terminology and concepts than you might think for a couple of reasons. Mike Denbrock has five seasons recently AWAY from Brian Kelly, and they were significant years in terms of his growth and him forming his own identity as a play-caller. I also think Notre Dame's current personnel is different enough that he'll want to teach different concepts. I think, though, what shouldn't be lost in this conversation is that Denbrock is an outstanding teacher. And whether the concepts/terminology are similar, that fact trumps the other concerns.
For your shoe-wearing bonus question, I think the labeling is a bit misleading. It's hard to find college offenses these days that don't force a defense to play in space, so the pro-style label perhaps leans into more preparing the quarterback to play at the next level. That's why Sam Hartman transferred to ND, for instance, because the slow-mesh offense at Wake didn't incorporate enough of the concepts he felt he needed to learn to have a shot at the NFL. I hope that made sense.
Dan from Vernon Hill, Ill.: Eric, Enjoy the chats.In this last recruiting cycle it seems that Notre Dame is getting commitments from a lot of three star players. Not a big stars guy, but it seems like a lot of them compared to other years. Is there a reason(s) for this?
Eric Hansen: Hi Dan. You and I must have had the same math teachers and the same grades in those math classes. So, ND has five three-stars at the moment. The fewest they've had going back to their highest-ranked class in the Kelly/Freeman Era (2013) is four. That happened in the 2022 and 2023 cycles. In 2021, it was 14. From 2014 to 2019 it ranged from nine to 15 per class. And keep in mind, we are so early in the cycle that some of those three-stars can change to four-stars. ND is going to do its own evals and not worry about what the recruiting services do. It's a good thing. Some of those three-stars in 2021 were swings and misses. And some turned out to be Mitchell Evans, Logan Diggs, Pat Coogan and Joe Alt.
Skip from Houston: You have answered this question in prior years but how about one more time? Notre Dame makes upwards of 200 football scholarship offers each year. Please help me understand how these offers are couched. How does ND focus on top recruits in making offers versus those that are a lesser priority. What keeps recruits from (immediately) accepting an offer? There must be ways to keep lesser recruits from grabbing all the limited scholarships. I have not phrased my question very well but hopefully you get the gist of what I am asking. Thank you.
Eric Hansen: Hi Skip. Actually, you did a really nice job of phrasing it. So not all offers are created equally. Notre Dame will start a cycle by creating a board for each position, deciding how many players they want at that position, then prioritizing those players. Those at the top will have committable offers, in that if they wanted to commit upon receiving the offer, they can. The others are conditional. Some may be contingent, for example, on that player coming to an evaluation camp. Another way to prioritize offers and slow- or fast-playing recruits is when you have them in for visits. Some offers come with expiration dates, If a position fills up, you may be out of luck. There's a real art to it and Notre Dame is very good at it.
Denis from Niagara Falls: Hey Eric. Kenny Minchey always is mentioned last re. the qb position. This is everywhere that I read. He seems to have plenty of talent. With Riley Leonard out, and if he knows the play book, I could see him slipping in as a starter. Do you know what kind of grasp he has on the plays? Or a guess? Also, is he possibly the best match to fit into Denbrock's offence? If it is a closer competition than expected, and even if he is a little behind Angelli, could he get the starter job due to fit? Could denbrock surprise us? Thanks very much.
Eric Hansen: Hi Denis. Thank you. I'm sure there were some springs where Brian Kelly would have died for a QB like Kenny Minchey. He is very talented, and defensive coordinator Al Golden volunteered as much when Kenny was the scout-team QB for USC week last October and he had to emulate Caleb Williams in practice. He's a really smart kid on top of that, so I'd imagine he retains the playbook well. This realistically, though, is about him positioning himself for the 2025 competition. And if everybody stays, wow, there's a lot of talent that will be in the running for that job, including Kenny. But if I had to bet right now, with very, very limited data, I think it will be CJ Carr.
Joe H from Williams Bay, Wis: Hi Eric Thanks again for keeping us engaged.I keep hearing that this year we will probably be running a lot less 12 personal packages What is the reason for that and do you feel that will be an improvement especially in short yardage situations Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Joe. I think the biggest trap sometimes for those of us covering spring football, me included, is extrapolating, too often and too extremely, impressions or things we see in practice into concrete conclusions. I know Mike Denbrock well enough that he likes to do some experimenting in spring, too, and not all of those still have life when fall camp rolls around. So now that I've framed your question, let me try to answer it.
I think one huge reason we are not seeing as much 12 personnel (two tight ends) in our very limited practice viewing so far is Mitchell Evans is out, Kevin Bauman is out and Eli Raridon is limited. I also think Marcus Freeman and Denbrock went to sift through a large number of new wide receivers (and the old ones too). When we get to fall camp, when we get to the season, will there be "a lot less" 12 personnel. Not a lot less over the run of the season, but maybe a lot less in certain games where other formations could better exploit a defense.
Matt from DC: What are your thoughts on the 2025 WR recruiting so far? Do you feel any of the commits are underrated? How do you like ND’s odds on Derek Meadows and Talyn Taylor?
Eric Hansen: I think all three of the players who have committed a the WR position — Jerome Bettis Jr., Shaun Terry and Elijah Burress — are all prospects Notre Dame feel it's catching on the way up. I am willing to roll with that evaluation as long as they pull in Meadows or Taylor, but especially if they get both. I think they're legitimately in the mix for both, with Meadows probably the more likely. A wild card is four-star Jayvan Boggs, who recently decommitted from Ohio State and has a strong interest in ND suddenly.
Tom from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric, hope that you and the family have a wonderful and Blessed Easter!!! Do you have a favorite Easter candy?? Mine is any kind of Peeps!! Has LR had his surgery and if so will he be able to at least observe Spring practice to have a better handle on the offense before fall camp?? Do you think that Riley Leonard not being available to compete with Steve Angeli this spring will have any impact of Angeli's decision to stay or not?? I hate the setbacks for he and Morrison but hopefully they will be stronger for the season. Finally, good luck to the ND women's BBall team. Tough Region. Go Irish!!!
Eric Hansen: Happy Easter, Tom. My favorite is good old-fashioned jelly beans. ... Riley Leonard underwent surgery last Friday. He was at practice today (Wednesday), and was on a knee scooter or crutches most of the time .. with a protective boot on his right ankle all the time. He did throw a few passes and was engaged in watching what the other QBs were doing. Even before Riley Leonard has the second surgery, I thought Steve Angel's best path for him was to stay in 2024 and gauge what his chances were of winning the job in 2025 or being ready if Leonard got injured. If he really wanted to go somewhere else for 2024 with a chance to start, December probably would have been the better timeline. So bottom line, I don't think his thinking has changed.
Robert from Lansing, Mich.: Eric, really look forward to all of your great insights to Irish football. Thank you. Question with now the 12 and next year 14 game playoff the college game is now close to the NFL in games potentially to play for the national championship. First of all it adds to the physical mental stress for 18-20 yr. old kids with greater chance for injuries. Do you see any possibility that the NCAA removes the 85 scholarship number and maybe return it to the old 95 number to better insure the depth and less wear/tear on young players who are still in the developmental years?
Eric Hansen: Robert, thanks for the compliment. What you stated about a legitimate concern was an argument against a playoff for decades. Eventually money, and access to play for a national title, overtook that argument. But to answer your bottom-line question, I don't see the NCAA adding back 10 more scholarships to get to 95.
Steve from Brooklyn, Mich.: Great reporting and always look forward to your insight. Not a football question as I realize you have the women’s bball team as well. With the short bench, if the worst happens on injuries or foul outs, can a team play with less than five? At what point is the game stopped?
Eric Hansen: Thanks, Steve, and yes I am covering the Notre Dame women's basketball team and toggling back and forth with football. This weekend's Easter break for the football team saved me. ... By rule, as long as a team can roll one player out there, you can continue the game. So yes, 4-on-5 would happen if Notre Dame fouled out four players.
Ced Walker from Saginaw, Mich.: saginaw pride I'm very impressed with our wr and rb during spring practice with the surgery to Riley leonard ankle Marcus Freeman must get Steve angeli to stay at notre dame 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. Steve Angeli was sick today, so he wasn't at practice (DE Junior Tuihalamaka was too), but I think Angeli when he comes back will make the most of this opportunity.
Sean from Schaumburg Ill.: Mr. Hansen, how do you think Denbrock is approaching the skills Angeli/Minchey/Carr have with his goals of how he wants the offense to run/what he wants to see in terms of understanding/application of his offense in the spring window? Leonard injury provides the opportunity for 2 of 3? 3 of 3? to work with the #1 offense/more live snaps. Disappointing Leonard doesn't get to work with #1 offense. Opportunity for other 3.
Eric Hansen: Mr. McHugh, thanks for the question. Let me give you Mike Denbrock's actual answer to a question along those lines... then I'll add to it:
“I think, No. 1, is getting to know the players better, understanding their skill sets as much as I can while they're running around in shorts and T-shirts. And then trying to, I think, get implemented, so that they have a clearer understanding of what the plan looks like. And try to give them as thorough a baseline as we possibly can right now as far as knowledge of the workings of the offense — how we shift, how we motion, how we align, how we change tempos, different personnel packages that we're going to use.
“And, hopefully, throughout the spring, we kind of get to a point where we can maybe put the assignment football stuff behind us, so that we can — over the summer and in fall camp — begin a little bit more of the dig-into-the-details process, where it's not any more a thought process of what their assignment is, but it turns a lot more towards execution. And I think, playing against good teams and beating good teams is about executing in situational football. And to do that, you've got to understand the details of what you're doing and why we're asking you to do it, so that you can execute it at a high level.
“Hopefully, I mean, that's ideal, right? So, the ideal is by the end of the spring, I don't have to worry about assignment football anymore. These guys understand how to line up, where to go, how to do it. And then, over the course of the summer, when we reteach it again, they get an opportunity to kind of dig into the details a little bit better, whether that's from how we run routes to how we run the ball or what adjustments we make from a line call standpoint. Maybe in the middle of a play, maybe I do it in the play call or the quarterback adjusted or whatever we're asking them to do. There's more detail and how they handle their job.”
Now he was referring to the entire offense, not just the quarterbacks. Whether Riley Leonard was fully healthy or not, the quarterbacks are going to be taught how to be multi-dimensional.
“I think in today's college football, it's important when you get against elite defenses to be able to have some element of that [a QB using his legs] in what you do. It doesn't have to be the major factor. It doesn't have to necessarily be the deciding factor. But there are going to be instances almost in every football game. ... And so, those things will be an element of what we do for sure.”
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric ! First let me wish you and your family the best of the Easter season. I had a different kind of QB question. In today's college offenses, which usually include a RPO package, the desired QB skills is quite a list. You want your QB to do so much. I wanted to discuss one skill set. From a pure classical passing standpoint the current group of ND QB's IMO have the best collective passing motion, arm strength and accuracy that I have seen in a long time. As a comparison both Ian Book and Drew Pyne had an issues throwing deep. Tyler B had an issue with short passes especially in the flat. Neither had the pure throwing motion or range of throws of any of the QB's in this current group IMO. With Denbrock and Guidugli leading the further development of these players does ND have the best throwing skills of any QB room in a while?
Eric Hansen: I think from 1-4, it's the best set of QB skills of any kind they've had in a while. When CJ Carr is your No. 4? I mean even when Charlie had Jimmy Clausen and Dayne Crist together, two five-stars, there wasn't 1-4 depth. And if these guys can be developed, it's pretty exciting where the QB position is headed ... with Deuce Knight next as well. And Happy Easter, Len. I got so caught up in my answer, I forgot my manners.
Roger from Peoria: Eric: Happy the day before Opening Day to you! Hope to see your Cardinals and my Guardians in the 2024 World Series, but I am definitely not holding my breath in expectation! I have not had the opportunity as yet to listen to Football Never Sleeps wherein you probably discussed the impact of Riley Leornard being out for the Spring. I intend to do so, but I am most concerned it would negatively impact his opportunity to develop rapport with the receivers. Assuming he is the #1 after fall practice, how much do you think this will impact the Irish in 2024? Tough to hear about Benjamin Morrison, but perhaps this creates the opportunity for others to have more Spring reps and improve the CB depth. Which CB do you believe benefits the most from Benjamin being out this Spring? Thanks and while I have for a long time looked forward to the Live Chats, I now also look forward to Football Never Sleeps where you and Tyler are both very informative and entertaining! GO IRISH!!
Eric Hansen: Roger, thanks for the plug on the show. We really enjoy bringing Football Never Sleeps to you. And as far as my Cardinals getting to the World Series, let's just say I'm not too worried about how I'll work that into a very busy football October. ... I think your concern is legit, given he's new to the program, and there are a lot of receivers to build a rapport with, and it takes time. And two more are coming in June. I think it really depends on how long this lingers. If he's back to throwing by the end of April, that's very different than not being able to do that until mid-July. In the meantime, the wide receiver room kind of finding its hierarchy among those players will help some.
Jonathan Wright, Kansas City, Mo.: Greetings guys, long time listener here. I was very young during the Holtz era, but it sure seems like the overall depth of talent from top to bottom is more advanced than it’s ever been since Lou left. Would you guys agree or disagree with that and where do see this the most apparent? Second question is what would KVA’s career look like if he finds his full potential? He truly seems like a generational player. Thanks for your time guys you do a wonderful job.
Eric Hansen: Jonathan, I've got news for you. I TOO was young during the Holtz Era ... if 20s and 30s constitutes youth. And there's only me here, so I will answer for all of us ... I think depth of talent on both sides of the ball would be accurate in the post-Holtz Era. If we are just talking about the Marcus Freeman years and excluding Brian Kelly's run, I would say the depth at the interior defensive line and at corner is a step up from the Kelly years, and really they're getting to that point at linebacker as well. Running back too. And as we mentioned earlier, if everything develops at the top of the depth chart, then quarterback really is the position that backs up your observation.
J Buckley from San Diego: Morning, and once again thanks for the chats. Do you know any more about the depth of the DL, Brendon Vernon and the others? Also, I'm sure you'll let us know when you get to watch another practice, but would love an update on Everything and Everyone, lol but especially how CJ Carr is looking and will he get more meaningful reps with Leonard out. THANKS.
Eric Hansen: Hi J. Thank you. And let's start with the back end of your question, with CJ Carr. With Riley Leonard out and Steve Angeli sick, he got a lot of work in today and really is impressive at this stage in terms of arm strength and accuracy. We update our depth chart fairly regularly during spring, and you can find it here. Riley Mills and Howard Cross are healthy but not taking in all the practices, including today. So that's given D-line coach Al Washington a chance to look at a lot of other players. We have Brenan Vernon slotted third at defensive tackle, behind Mille and Jason Onye. This spring will give him a chance to earn a spot in the rotation if he can grab it. Some other players who are ascending/pushing are DEs Bryce Young and Boubacar Traore. Freshman Sean Sevillano Jr, with Cross out, was running with the 2s behind Donovan Hinish. Keep in mind Gabe Rubio isn't practicing either, so the depth is pretty impressive.
Matt from Austin: Good day Eric and Happy Easter. I would like your thoughts on recruiting issues, especially as they relate to five star athletes. There seems to be several potential reasons that ND lacks the ability to land them. High academic standards, previous coaching regimes, stringent admission requirements, cold weather, no athletic dorms, athletes must physically attend classes, to name a few. Do you have an opinion on this that you could share with us? Thanks Eric.
Eric Hansen: Hi Matt. It hasn't been one constant layering of reasons, though at various times, the ones you mentioned have come into play. But the recruiting game has changed with the transfer portal and NIL. So let's focus on the present. I think the biggest reason a five-star recruit would eliminate Notre Dame in THIS DAY AND AGE and vice versa is fit. Or lack of a fit. So, in terms of academics, it's not necessarily the academic transcript that might fall short, but a prospect's willingness to accept the harder road. And to work for that. Or a kid who comes in and NIL is on the top of his concerns. Or he doesn't want to compete for a starting job. So that's one area. Geography plays a part sometimes, and not just from a weather standpoint, but getting five-stars out of certain states .. there is TREMENDOUS pressure on those kids to stay loyal to their state school. But believe it or not, the transfer portal, at least with grad transfers, can be an equalizer of sorts when used judiciously.
DomerReef 70: Eric, greetings from yellow pine pollen infested Montgomery (and only one exclamation point in this post). Should we be concerned about this latest ankle surgery for Riley Leonard? This may be the third? surgery since the injury against the Irish 7 months ago. He has played in only two games since then. Prime time potential but can he stay healthy, since a big part of his repertoire involves his legs. How ironic if an injury against the Irish diminished his effectiveness for the Irish. Thanks for the great work you and Tyler do in keeping us Irish up to date on Irish goings on. Also, really like what Niele Ivy has done with the Lady Irish. Go Irish!
Eric Hansen: Wow Domer Reef, whenever the word "infested" is used in describing your location, the cold weather up here suddenly doesn't feel so uninviting. ... I think concern is appropriate. Dread is going a bit far. But any missed opportunity to fully immerse yourself in learning the system, timing, chemistry with new teammates is not what you want. However, if the timetable Marcus Freeman described is accurate, back by the end of spring football, then I'd say that alleviates some concerns. And if it's not accurate, then he won't be a spokesman for Holiday Inn Express anytime soon ... and it would be concerning for Leonard as well. But not an impossible, unfixable situation. Just much less than ideal.
Eric Hansen: Back to Marie and the WBB question. The Sweet 16 betting lines just came out ,, and South Carolina is a 16-point favorite over Indiana. No one else is more than 8 (UConn over Duke). The Irish are 3 1/2-point favorites over Oregon State... Back to football.
Tim Thompson, Nantucket, Mass.: Hello all, daffodils about to open up here, despite chilly temps. Simple question this time, does pro day now include scouts from the alternate league run by Duane Johnson? Are there general scouts who are not employed by any team? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Tim, I was not at Pro Day this year. Tyler and Charleston covered it for us. I had women's basketball duties that day. But I have not seen anyone but NFL guys there. I suppose you could have another league's scouts come, but it really doesn't seem to be a good investment when they're going to be able to sign players who have been in an NFL camp and cut.
Kevin from Orlando: There appears to be a fair amount of coverage about all the offers that went out to individuals as a result of the Pot O Gold on St. Patrick's Day. I asked a question some time ago about the fact that there are offers and then There Are Offers; the difference being that the latter offers were of a kind that amounted to "We will accept your commitment now." The former group seemed to be, "Yes, we are interested in you as a student athlete, but we aren't really making an offer that you can accept at this time, for whatever reasons. If that is essentially accurate, then it begs the question of, what exactly, did the numerous individuals receivers of "an offer", actually receive ? Was is a written offer? If so, can you get one of the recipients to provide you with a copy of the written offer? Even better, will the football office provide such a copy? Will they acknowledge that there were different levels of offers made?
Eric Hansen: Hi Kevin. Maybe you missed my answer to Skip's question, though it wasn't specific to Pot of Gold Day, which is a recruiting event for Notre Dame in which the coaching staff sends out scads of offers on St. Patrick's Day. Let me try to quickly fill in some gaps that might have not been in the first question and/or answer. This is really an event that's more about social media than anything else. And building momentum. So it is not a formal written offer. And if you wanted a copy of a written offer, and some recruits will post them on social media when that time comes, it has to come from them. The school could not provide that for us. Nor can they discuss unsigned recruits publicly. Just FYI, you sound like a lawyer ready to pounce.
Eric Hansen: OK, that's going to do it for today. The day for next week's chat will be up in the air until we know what's going on with the women's basketball team. But I will have a chat next week. Thanks for all the great questions today.
---------------------------------------------------------------
• 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
