Chat Transcript: Shoe scrutiny, sizing up ND's D-line, adding from portal

Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat on a rainy April afternoon in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame is through nine of its 15 allotted spring football practices. As a reminder, please include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question. Let's get things rolling.

Marie from Atlanta: hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. Disappointing to hear about Joe Wilkins‘ injury and another foot injury for Notre Dame. I know there have always been rumors that Under Armour shoes are not that great, and recently someone was saying that a foot expert had data showing that Under Armour shoes do have a higher incidence of injury. Do you think Notre Dame looks into that? And do you anticipate they will continue the relationship with Under Armour after 2024? Could you see a scenario where they cut out Under Armour for shoes, and go to Nike or Adidas, but keep Under Armour for every thing else? Really enjoying the weekly chats. Thanks for all your insights.

Eric Hansen: Hi Marie, and thanks for your questions. I have only recently heard the rumors about Under Armour shoes and have not yet seen a valid study. If you have access to it, please pass it along. But Notre Dame would definitely look into something like that if there's a trend. How they would handle it? I'm not sure. What I can share is back when I was covering the men's basketball team in the mid-90s for a couple of seasons, Notre Dame had switched to Adidas, and the new model of shoes they received were incredibly problematic. All kinds of leg and foot injuries. To Adidas' credit, they kept introducing new models until they got it right, well almost right. Pat Garrity, the team's star player, continued to have problems. Ultimately, Adidas and Notre Dame relented and let him wear his white Nikes with a black swoosh stripe. However, I started laughing when I saw the next game, the NIke logo was gone, courtesy of White-out. I asked Pat after the game what happened to his shoes? He said, "The shoe fairy happened."

Those shoe-and-apparel contracts are tricky. During the Adidas era, the Notre Dame players had to undergo shoe inspections before football games. And if there was tape covering up the logo, it had to be removed. I'm not sure what ND will do with UA when it's time for renewal. I don't think they would put their athletes in jeopardy, even if it meant modifying a contract. I don't think some of the promises that UA made at the time of the original deal —- like being on the leading edge of sports science —- have come to pass.

Mike from Ann Arbor, MIch.: Good morning. I am wondering if you have been able to watch the third- or fourth-string quarterbacks in practice, and have any insights about their strengths and abilities? It is hard to tell from the brief video clips available. Thanks.

Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. We do get to watch all four scholarship QBs — Tyler Buchner, Drew Pyne, Ron Powlus III and Steve Angeli. But remember, there are a lot of other things competing for our attention during those media windows. They (Powlus and Angeli) also don't get many opportunities in competitive situations. Powlus was injured all of last season, so this is the first time I've seen him throw. I'd only seen Angei throw previously in an All-Star game and a little in his high school tape. They both appear to be functional, but don't really face situations when we're in practice that tests them. If you just stumbled into practice off the street and didn't know ND's depth chart, you could tell pretty quickly who the top two are.

Joey G. from Philadelphia, Pa.: Hi Eric. There’s been some talk lately about the size of ND’s interior defensive line. It seems in order for the defensive line to elevate itself to championship caliber, they need to recruit taller and heavier interior linemen. It looks like Freeman is gonna lean heavily on Rylie Mills and Gabe Rubio in the rotation this year. Have you been able to see how Mills and Rubio are doing this spring?

Eric Hansen: OK, Joey, let me answer your question first, then we'll discuss the premise that led into it. ... I have seen Gabe Rubio and Rylie Mills and also talked to D-Line coach Al Washington about them Tuesday. One caveat here: There's a website that transcribes the Zoom interviews and labels them as "Everything (insert name here) nad to say to the media." It's not even close. The interviews that are not on Zoom have more depth, more content and better flow. Mills is cross-training at the defensive tackle and field end spots. Based on what I've seen and what I've heard, I expect him to become a much bigger factor this season. Very much an ascending player. Rubio drew high praise from Washington as well. I haven't seen him play as much, because he's further down the depth chart.

As far as ND's interior D-linemen being too short —- Mills is 6-5, Rubio 6-5, Jason Onye 6-5, Tyson Ford 6-4, Jayson Ademilola and Aidan Keanaaina both 6-3. The exceptions are Howard Cross and Jacob Lacey at 6-1. Washington said their quickness and strength negates their lack of height (and weight). Remember, this isn't a base 3-4, where the nose needs to be Louis Nix-like. (more)

Here's what Washington said about Cross on Tuesday:

"I was an undersized D-tackle. So I’m partial to him, but Howard Cross is a beast. He’s an explosive kid. He can generate. He’s productive, because he can create separation. So he may be 6-foot or whatever, but he’s one of the more explosive guys I’ve ever been around.

"He’s doing a really good job. He’s been very productive this spring."

David from Brookline, Mass.: Eric, what impressions do you have of coach Golden so far as a defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, recruiter, sounding board for coach Freeman, ND fit?

Eric Hansen: Hi David. Al Golden has made quite an impression as a defensive coordinator — on players, recruits and fellow coaches. That wasn't going to be easy, as popular as Marcus Freeman was as the DC. As a linebackers coach, he's working in tandem with grad assistant James Laurinaitis, and that's been very effective. Recruits have taken to him very well. He was a very good recruiter when he was in the college ranks before. His little touches he brings from the NFL, without overwhelming with them, have been very effective. As far as the sounding board for Marcus, that's yet to come — after spring and into the summer. He had a lot on his plate in terms of putting together a playbook and installing the defense after the Super Bowl/and being hired. So more on that last part as we get into fall camp.

Dan from Plymouth, Mich.: Hi Eric! Love your work and love these chats. When might we be blessed with an interview of Chris Watt?

Eric Hansen: Would love to have that chance. Notre Dame sports info is giving us every full-time assistant this spring, which is great. I'd love to talk to grad assistants Chris Watt and James Laurinaitis as well at some point, not to be greedy. Maybe in May or June. Both would be interesting.

Jim Tal from Valley Center, Calif.: Eric, thanks so much for all the great insights and information that you provide. It is very much appreciated. As of right now, who do foresee getting meaningful playing time at tight end alongside Michael Mayer? I believe that whoever fills that role could have a surprisingly impactful role on the overall success of the offense.

Eric Hansen: Hi Jim. Besides Michael Mayer, the only healthy scholarship tight ends this spring are Mitchell Evans and Kevin Bauman. They've both been solid, but the door is open for recovering Cane Berrong and the two June-arriving freshmen — Eli Raridon and Holden Staes. Had Raridon not tore up his knee playing basketball, I'd predict him to be the No. 2 tight end before the end of the 2022 season. It still might happen. I was really high on Evans at the end of 2021. I'm eager to see more from him. We've got new tight ends coach Gerad Parker next week for media interviews, so that will give me a better feel for his thought process.

Mike from Chicago: Thoughts on D-line grad transfer from Harvard that just committed?

Eric Hansen: This just happened, and I'm fully engaged with you guys, so let me give you a rough thumbnail: Chris Smith is 6-foot2, 293 pounds; originally from the Detroit area. ... Committed to transfer to Minnesota back in mid-January, and ND changed his mind. Visited recently. Will replace Aidan Keanaaina on the depth chart, who's out with a torn ACL. First-team All-Ivy League ... 40 tackles, 5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 3 QB hurries in 2021.

Jimmy Z from Granger, Ind.: Hi Eric, thank you for taking the time to help us college football junkies keep up with all the latest news coming from campus on the offseason. Wow, could this really be happening? If we can get a guy like Gi'Bran Payne this late in the game, our coaches must be really be living a positive wave heading in our direction. My questions are: Do you think we get him right away while he is still on campus? Also, do the other running backs welcome him with open, loving arms or do they see this as just another player to take carries off the stat sheet? If all our boys are here to win a Natty, hopefully, they have what it takes to bring as much talent on board, even if it is another running back. It just seems too good to be true, that someone so talented might be falling into our lap right before our very eyes. Thanks.

Eric Hansen: Hi Jimmy, Notre Dame was recruiting him earlier in the cycle before he committed to Indiana. Gi'Bran Payne then asked out of his National Letter of Intent after there were some coaching changes, including RBs coach Deland McCullough leaving IU for Notre Dame. So I'll let you do the math in his probability of ending up at ND. He did visit Kentucky recently also. Five is the number ND was hoping to have at running back in 2022. They couldn't close on a second back in December or February. C'Bo Flemister wasn't able to get himself right to rejoin the roster and is gone for good. This will not affect ND's desire to sign two backs in the 2023 class (they already have one). No I don't think the current running backs will resent the late addition. They had been expecting one for months. Now it might be finally happening.

Eric Hansen: OK, I'm going to group a few questions together on one topic and address them all at once. Here goes.

Kevin Fort Wayne: I’m not understanding the uproar over us playing a FCS school one time to assist a friend of Marcus gain exposure for his program. A one-time game does not lessen the history ND has built in playing tough schedules throughout its history, and willingness to travel far and near to play anyone, anywhere. Additionally, I think there are benefits in recruiting and demonstrating ND’s willingness to reach out to traditional and proud black universities to assist in getting them national exposure they deserve.Your thoughts?

David from Chicago: Why does ND feel that in order to keep up with the top-tier teams they need to stoop to their level by scheduling an FCS school?

Doug from Raleigh, N.C.: Thanks for your time with us in NDNation as always, Eric. ND men's basketball just played a great game with Howard University on national TV on MLK Day. Lots of historic significance and a decent non-conference midseason game. Within a 30-game schedule, it amounted to a tough scrimmage between ACC games. With this Tennessee State scheduling: No other HBCU in D1, no other D1 school period could play on Sept. 2, 2023? And to the date scheduling? A quick turnaround from a Dublin trip as school is starting up, and then have a week off before Central Michigan ... followed by Ohio State? Coach Freeman oughta have “fun” gaining a rhythm at the beginning of Year 2 with this boring lineup between Navy and Ohio State. This Tennessee State game dilutes our brand. Fifteen months from now Eric: where would you vote the unproven Irish in the top 40 with a 3-0 record after that start going into the Buckeye game? We ain’t the SEC beating up local D2s early in the season, simply ‘cause the local 5A or 6A high school played the night before.

Eric Hansen: So here's the bottom line. There's a lot of depth here to this question and in just these three questions, you can see the diversity in the different takes on it. I am covering the joint press conference right after the chat and then will write a column about it. .. Here are a few things to note in the meantime. Notre Dame, USC and UCLA are the only three FBS teams never to play a level (or more) down in the modern era. UCLA leaves this group this fall, when they host Alabama State on Sept. 10. USC was due to do the same last season in an opener against UC-Davis, but there was such an uproar from the fan base, the new regime swapped out Davis for San Jose State.

There are a lot of people who believe this ND-Tennessee matchup should be celebrated as something that's great for college football. That feeling is not universal. I'm going to get into all that in my column. ... Two quick points. For those who worry this will dilute ND's playoff résumé, the Irish are already playing Ohio State, Clemson and USC. It's not going to be a factor. And Sept. 9 isn't necessarily going to be a bye week. My guess is it will be a road game. The 2023 schedule has six holes left and four unplaced games. Only one of those is at home, Pitt, and that's got to fall in November. Again, I'll tease all this out later today, but I want to hear what the folks in the press conference have to say first.

Jeff from Phoenix: Hey Eric, first, kudos and a jumbo box of Junior Mints to Kyle Kelly for his work and follow-up on the recruiting blitz! So, in reading Tyler's article on Lenzy yesterday, I wanted to get your take on how coach Mason is likely to use him on special teams. Is Lenzy the front-runner for punt or kick returner? Was it suggested that he could be used as a "gunner" to disrupt opponents' returns/kickoffs? Where else could Mason use Lenzy or others to get special teams to the elite level? Thanks.

Eric Hansen: Hi Jeff. I'll be happy to pass along the kudos to Kyle, but all I have on hand are Altoids (curiously strong) and not Junior Mints. I believe Braden Lenzy in the story said he wasn't at liberty to reveal his special teams roles, so I'll honor that, but he's not in the mix at punt return. Brian Mason had previously identified the candidates as Matt Salerno, Brandon Joseph, Jaden Mickey and Jadarian Price. Cincinnati used a lot of its starters/stars on special teams... So kickoff coverage, gunner, possibly kickoff return all make some sense for Lenzy, who was an accomplished DB as well in high school.

Denis from Niagara Falls, ON.: Hi Eric. I like Marcus Freeman a lot but I am worried his lack of game day experience will cost the team at least one victory. If the over/under for losses due to experience is set at one, are you over or under that?

Eric Hansen: Hi Denis. I've covered a few first-time head coaches — Bob Davie and Charlie Weis at ND, Jim Colletto at Purdue, Sam Wyche in his one year at Indiana. I'm also studying Brian Daboll with the N.Y. Giants, just for comparison's sake. I don't think your worry is unwarranted, but I don't think it's a certainty either. To me, Marcus has tackled some of the more difficult big-picture parts of being a first-year head coach. What he needs to do after spring is learn to say no, learn to delegate and trust. Those things will help him be a better gameday coach, because he won't be depleted and can focus in on what he's good at. I think Al Golden will prove to be a valuable resource in kind of coming up with that plan. So for now, put me down as going with the under.

Lawrence from San Diego: I’ve read the descriptions that our Rover/Sniper will play more like a Vyper, and Jordan Botelho sure doesn’t cover like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, but can you say a little more about how this position is changing? Does this mean the Rover will hold the edge and rush the passer, but will come off the field when it’s time to man up on a slot receiver? Can’t this be exploited by splitting a back out to the slot? Wouldn’t Marist Liufau be a better match for that role than Kiser?

Eric Hansen: Lawrence, it's interesting because the three players seeing the most time at rover in practice are three really different players — Jack Kiser (6-2, 222), Jordan Botelho (6-3, 245) and Nolan Ziegler (6-3, 205). The sense I'm getting is that Notre Dame — especially with the surge from nickel TaRiq Bracy — is committed to more nickel and dime, third-down packages. That can take the rover off the field. Or. Botelho drops down and rushes the passer with the Vyper end, field end and D-tackle, with the nose guard coming off the field. I don't think Al Golden is invested in playing the rover the way Clark Lea did as a hybrid safety/linebacker. Yes, Marist Liufau could play any of the three linebacker positions and be really good at all three, but I really like him in practice at the Will.

Len from the Jersey Shore: Hi Eric. Thanks for hosting, as always. So much to talk about. Will players on D play fast enough as they are learning Al Golden's new/modified defense? Are the DTs big and strong enough? Is Marcus going to be too tired to coach on game day? Will Jaylen Sneed put weight on? What will the offensive scheme be when finally put together? And I have stayed away from the questions on QBs, CBs and WRs. With all the unknowns I came up with two questions: Not knowing exactly how the schemes will work and not knowing how players will pan out in those schemes, can this new staff come together to make adjustments in game 1 and how are they preparing to make those adjustments? Second, explain why rover-recruited LB’s such as Prince Kollie and Jaylen Sneed are playing inside and Jordon Botelho is playing rover at 245? Is JB the next coming of Dave Robinson?

Eric Hansen: Len, you're awesome, but that's dangerously close to a 17-part question. You're lucky I can't count that high to confirm that. ... OK here goes: So far so good on the players playing fast. Now that the install is done, we should see an uptick. ... Yes, interior D-line big and strong enough (not sure where this keep coming from). And the commitment today of Harvard DT Chris Smith adds some depth the Irish lost with the Aidan Keanaaina injury. ... Marcus will learn what he needs to about time management and delegating post-spring. He's sharp and asked good questions. He'll figure it out. ... The plan is for Jaylen Sneed to put weight on, and he will. ... I would describe the offensive scheme as balanced. ... The gameday roles for assistants will get a trial run for the Blue-Gold Game and then refined over the summer. ... Recruiting has shifted when it comes to the rover/strongside linebacker. Samuel M'Pemba, 6-4, 245, is being recruited as a rover.

Don in Phoenix: Eric, the stories regarding the new coaches are good reads. It is great that there's been more access this spring than the past few years. I believe you've had access to all. Who and what comes to mind reflecting back on conversations? Will the staff need the offseason and fall to gel? Thanks and keep up the great work you, Tyler and Kyle are doing.

Eric Hansen: Thanks, Don. We have three more to go ... Harry Hiestand on Thursday, then Mike Mickens and Gerad Parker next week. One thing that strikes me off the top, ND went 54-9 in the last five years of Brian Kelly, plus the bowl loss. And these guys aren't afraid to raise the standard and aim higher. ... Thought No. 2 Harry Hiestand's return permeates everything. ... They've all been good at creating buy-in, perhaps in part because the players know they really want to be at ND. ... Practice is different. Different doesn't always mean better, but it's different, and I think the players are recharged by change. The staff chemistry seems to be coming along very well.

Ken from Shipshewana, Ind.: Preseason predictions are tough, and we're all hoping for the best. But can you name a dynamic in the program you've seen thus far that would give hope of another step up the ladder to the ultimate goal?

Eric Hansen: Recruiting. Recruiting. Recruiting.

Kevin from St. Louis: Hi Eric, I both enjoy and lament the fleeting nature of sports (and especially college sports). Hope springs eternal at the start of each year as the slate is wiped clean. But each team only has one shot at it, and then it's over for that particular iteration of that "team." And we're left to ponder the "what-if's" of the season. "What if Julian Love hadn't been injured at the end of the first half (of the 2018 Clemson playoff game)?" We get no redoes. In the NFL, a team might try to run it back again with a similar team. In college, the stars of this year's team are often the most likely to be missing from the next. Does the ephemeral nature increase or decrease your interest in college athletics? (e.g. We wouldn't want to watch the 2018 CFB playoff every single year, but would I have loved to have Julian Love around for 2019, sure!) P.S. Hope you have your Hall of Fame speech ready!

Eric Hansen: Kevin, thanks. I like the change and roster churn and the new challenges and dynamics. It's one of the many things that makes me love college football so much. ... I wanted to just wing the speech, but am going to write it out just in case. About halfway done. Hope to finish tonight.

Joe C. from Massapequa, N.Y.: Hi Eric. Been an ND fan for 47 years. Thank you for the great coverage of the team, and it is as good as anyone I have followed. Here are my questions: How does Freeman and staff bring a National Championship to ND nation in 2022? What will he do to make that happen in year one? Great challenge, but the players seem to have great confidence in each other and the staff.

Eric Hansen: Joe, thanks for the compliment. Just keep in mind, year three has been the magic number for ND head coaches and national titles. For ND to win it in 2022? Tyler Buchner would have to be a top 15 QB in pass efficiency. That never happened in the Kelly Era. Did twice in the Weis Era (Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen), but he didn't have the defensive pieces ND has now or earlier in the Kelly Era. The Irish must have answers at cornerback (and depth) in August. The wide receiver numbers must be addressed, and now I think they need to look for a potential starter in the portal with Joe Wilkins Jr. out until August ... not only depth. They need Marcus Freeman to continue to grow into his role as he has been. And Tommy Rees needs to have a year that creates a buzz throughout college football.

IrishMike from Altoona, Pa.: Hi Eric! Thank you for providing these weekly chats! So, ND picks up FCS Tennessee State for 2023! Not a good look! Surely, the Irish could find a better opponent? Thoughts?

Eric Hansen: I hit that earlier, but I wanted you to know I at least have a partical answer to your BYU in Vegas ticket question from last week. It will not be 50-50 like the Wisconsin game. Notre Dame will get a little less than a typical home allotment and BYU will get a little more than a typical visiting allotment. As to when and how to buy, I'm still waiting on that answer and will relay it.

Bob from Lansing, Mich.: Eric, the three major factors in team success starts with the on-the-field leadership as No. 1, and then with the play of both the defensive and offensive lines. What is your assessment so far of those three factors? Really appreciate your work over the many years with ND football.

Eric Hansen: Thanks, Bob, Marcus Freeman wants the identity of the team to be strength on the offensive and defensive lines, and so far this spring, that's what he has received. Lots of good leaders among the player ranks. Avery Davis and Jarrett Patterson will be even more impactful from that group when they're back on the field playing.

Tom Millikin: As the O-line inevitably changes from game 1, do you see Zeke Correll a mainstay somewhere on the line, no matter what? Or is he at risk of getting lost in the O-line shuffle?

Eric Hansen: Tom please hometown next time ... and I'm not sure I entirely understand your question. Jarrett Patterson is expected to start the season ready to play as the No. 1 center. I guess you're assuming that he's not ... then what happens to Zeke Correll? Zeke has looked sharp this spring at center ... now is that because of Harry Hiestand and Zeke or because he's no longer playing guard? If it's both, then he'll be in line to compete with Michael Carmody for that center spot in 2023 and would have a good chance there. But there's a lot of competition at the guard spots in 2022, I'm not sure he could overtake the starters or the backups. And Billy Schrauth will be joining that mix in a couple of months when his foot is fully healed, making the guard spots even more competitive.

Skip from Houston: Help me with a good dilemma. We want to sign Dante Moore or Christopher Vizzina, with it appears a preference for Moore. Moore is a little more highly rated but Vizzina is a high quality prospect. We cannot afford a total whiff. Let's say Vizzina is ready to sign but ND holds off hoping to get Moore. If Moore goes elsewhere, how do we keep Vizzina from having gone elsewhere during the interim or just souring on the situation? How would you play this good dilemma? Thank you.

Eric Hansen: OK, you're asking how I would play it. If I really believed Moore will end up at ND and he's been up front with me the whole time (and he has), then I'd wait. I don't think you can get both of them to wait. If I'm uncertain about Moore's lean and Vizzina is ready, I take Vizzina, because Clemson is pushing and he's also really good.

Chris from San Diego, Calif./Stillwater, Minn.: Love the chats and never miss your podcast with you Tyler James. Thanks for doing both. A few questions: 1) Are we realistically in on any running backs for 2023 that are considered elite at this point? 2) Is it true that Dante Moore is now likely to delay any commitment until summer? 3) If so, does it cause you concern as to whether he will ultimately sign with ND? 4) Assuming he did wait until summer or fall to commit, how much would this dilute his potential to help lure other high impact offensive recruits to ND in 2023?

Eric Hansen: Thanks and Thanks, Chris. 1) Yes, the Irish have a commitment from Sedrick Irvin Jr.. who’s a four-star top 250 guy who transferred from Miami Gulliver Prep to Miami Columbus to improve his competition and be more college ready. (it will likely also improve his ranking. I think ND has a shot at either Jayden Limar or Jeremiayah Love as a second back. (Kyle Kelly is helping me with some of this info.) 2. I don't know that Dante Moore is likely to delay his commitment to the summer, but I'd say it's possible that it would not come until June. His father Otha has been pretty consistent with the timeline and the desire to take official visits. 3) No, and I kind of jumped the gun and answered part of that in question 2. 4) I don't think the two-month delay would be game-changing. Four or five months, probably would be, but we're not looking at that kind of timetable.

Tony Soldo from Hobe Sound, Fla.: Hi Eric. Will coach Freeman encourage and promote special teams coordinator Brian Mason to open up the return game and bring back the Holtz Era of big plays on returns, maybe show some old film of Tim Brown, and Rocket Ismail, instead of the no turnover-obsessed coaching style of coach Kelly with his fair catches on punts? The same question about allowing coach Rees to open up the passing game with big play/higher-risk plays over the middle, to attack opposing defenses and be more agressive? That would benefit the outside deep receivers as well as the running game.

Eric Hansen: Tony, you've certainly been helpful in asking the questions and guiding me to how you want me to answer them. ... I think Marcus Freeman would rather have Tim Brown and Rocket Ismail on the roster than show tape of them. And it's really not about that. It's about two things — the punt/punt return game has changed dramatically since those Holtz Era days. Philosophically, Brian Mason is more aggressive in terms of returns and punt blocks than Brian Polian was. Tommy Rees has all the freedom to run the kind of offense he wants, but he needs some healthy wide receivers to do the things you're looking for. Ultimately, dynamic passing is about efficiency, great decisions and balance, not taking unnecessary risks. And that's what I think you'll get with Tommy.

Bill, originally from Asbury Park, N.J.: Eric, Loved the Inside ND Sports Podcast with Vinny Cerrato! Knew he was a tremendous recruiting coordinator but didn’t know how good he really was … and an impressive answer on your part to his question … the Brooks brothers, which I think was before your time with the SB Tribune, which simply makes it more impressive!

Eric Hansen: Bill thanks for the feedback ... and I might be older than you think. I have a grandson who's old enough to correct my typos.

JoeP from LA: Hello Eric. Hope you're staying safe and healthy. Thanks as always for the great work on the ND beat, no matter where you call your work home. To my question, obviously, the Dante Moore story has dominated Irish recruiting news of late. However, I'm curious about a couple of other recruits. I'm hearing a lot of conflicting feedback regarding the verbal commitments of Keon Keeley and Peyton Bowen. I know they're taking other visits, primarily with the big boys in college football. That is obviously not good news for the Irish. Do you have any intel on how solid their commitments to ND really are and the likelihood of ND losing one or both, at the end of the day?

Eric Hansen: Hi Joe. Thanks. Doing great here. There are NO guarantees in recruiting. However, our Kyle Kelly did a really cool story with linebacker commit Drayk Bowen, who spent the day with Keeley during his most recent trip to Notre Dame. Some great insights here. I still think both are more likely than not to end up in this class, especially Keeley.

Doug from Sunny Florida: Eric, it's well documented how much time coach Freeman is spending on recruiting. Do you get a sense that the time he spends recruiting is coming at a cost of time being spent in other facets of his position? Would he even know that at this point in time since it's new to him?

Eric Hansen: I think he has an awareness of it, yes, But there are new duties and responsbilities that are coupled with the recruiting now. And he's in the process of figuring out how best to manage that. And yes, some of it is trial and error.

Bill, originally from Asbury Park, N.J.: First a comment about scheduling Tennessee State. … I have zero problem with it. Folks, should simply look at other perennial top teams that play FCS-level programs. Now my question is do you believe that Chris Tyree is best used in space as opposed to get the tougher yardage between the tackles?

Eric Hansen: Hi Bill. I think Chris Tyree needs to be able to do both. That's what Deland McCullough is requiring from all of his backs. And that's smart. It helps you set up plays for later in the game.

Eric Hansen: OK, I have a hard out, because I have a press conference coming up soon I need to prep for. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.

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