Chat Transcript: Dissecting Notre Dame's transfer-portal window aftermath
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat ... Post-NFL Draft Edition.
Some quick programming notes:
I’ll commit to doing a live chat next Wednesday, but we’ll probably slide into a schedule with longer gaps between the chats after that … unless there’s a relentless demand to stay weekly from you all. … And for you submitting your questions live, you are welcome to weigh in.
► 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 remain in our normal Monday at 7 ET time slot and will continue on doing so into the offseason. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube.
Related Content
► The Heat Index: Official visits, new targets come into focus for Notre Dame
► Trail Tracks: Notre Dame football coaches hit road for contact period, 5/1
► Portal Roundup: Notre Dame adds walk-on RB Jake Tafelski from CMU
► Notre Dame extends offer to grad transfer cornerback from West Virginia
► Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison cornering the early buzz for 2025 NFL Draft
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► Tyler James and I remain in weekly podcast mode. We’ll have a new one out Thursday afternoon. On our most recent Inside ND Sports Podcast, Bob Morton, a former Notre Dame offensive lineman from 2002-06 and a director of regional development for the university, Tyler James and me. Morton discussed his biggest takeaways from the Blue-Gold Game, his thoughts on the offensive line, how the offensive tackles can improve, who he likes on the Irish line, how good freshman quarterback CJ Carr looks, his expectations for QB Riley Leonard, the impact of a new football facility 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 spinning forward into the offseason for Notre Dame and into a big week for former Irish players in the NFL Draft at WSBT radio. 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 question.
Here are the rules:
Eric Hansen: BECAUSE it is a breathtaking day here in South Bend, Ind., from a weather standpoint, I'm rolling back all but the "no spitting" rule this week.
And the "no fighting" rule is partially in effect ... no fighting with ME.
OK, let's roll ....
Johngipp from Lititz, Pa.: Hey Eric, If the quarterback room stays status quo, do you sense a locker room division could occur over the starting qb named given the present atmosphere of college football? I had heard of this occurring in the past, but since transferring has become a rite of passage, would that mitigate the chance. Glad to see JD getting drafted higher than predicted. Thanks for the insights.
Eric Hansen: Hey John/Gipp. Thank you. We've got several questions in the queue that dig at transfer portal issues regarding the QBs. This is a really good one to start with. I'm reasonably sure Marcus Freeman will agree with this, but I think the coaching staff will devise the summer and first few weeks of August training camp to keep a divided locker room from happening. And you're right, that hasn't always happened at ND (or other places). A case in point was the leadup to the 2016 season with Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer.
If Riley Leonard is going to start Aug. 31 at Texas A&M, the team is going to have to see him win the job on the practice field, particularly after the performance Steve Angeli had in the Sun Bowl. So, naming a starter any earlier than mid-August doesn't make sense. But given the transparency of the coaching staff, the closeness of the room and both QBs getting a fair chance, I think it eliminates or at least mitigates the chances of a locker room divide.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: Do you expect KK Smith to play a lot this fall rotating with Kris Mitchell?
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. KK Smith missed all the regular-season practices and games his freshman season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. But he was healthy for bowl practices and the Sun Bowl, and he started to flash then. That continued into spring. His speed is impressive. But I think Kris Mitchell will win that spot with consistency and experience showing through. Could KK Smith play significant snaps too? He also had to contend with Cam Williams surging. It's a good problem to have. But when you think about an overall wide receiver rotation of six deep maybe seven, KK Smith is right on the borderline of being on or out ... so fall camp will be huge for him. But again, an impressive spring.
Skip from Houston: What is different about a "preferred walk on" from other non-scholarship players? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Skip. They get to eat steak instead of hot dogs at training table ... I kid. Preferred walk-ons are players actively recruited to ND, with some -- like safety Luke Talich -- being pitched that they could earn a scholarship later on based on performance. Other non-scholarship players could do that too, but they work their way onto the roster via tryout.
Joe H from Williams Bay, Wis.: Hi Eric I just saw that we picked up a Central Michigan running back in the transfer portal. I guess my question is why him? That is one position where we are pretty well set. What am I missing?
Eric Hansen: Hi Joe. Notre Dame is serious about special teams and has been really good under Marcus Freeman in attracting walk-ons — including through the transfer portal — to build depth and competition and sometimes even a starting role (punter Jon Sot in 2022). Jake Tafelski got most of his action via special teams at Central Michigan, and that will be his path to possible playing time at ND.
Pat from Bordentown, N.J.: Eric!!!! As always thanks for the chats and excellent reporting! Still the gold standard on the beat! I’m a little surprised that only a couple players went into the portal. Where does that leave us in terms of scholarship numbers, especially if we add anyone else. Do you expect some grad transfers or medical retirements?
Eric Hansen: Hi Pat, and thanks for your flattering comments, and especially the multiple exclamation points!!!! ... To your question. Notre Dame is at 87 scholarships with the hope of adding two more, a cornerback and a punter. The Irish do not have to be to 85 scholarships until the first day of fall-semester classes, which I believe is Aug. 27. So how do they get there? The grad transfer window to the transfer portal is open until tonight at midnight. Previously grad transfers were not restricted by the transfer windows. The underclassman transfer window closed last night at midnight. So there could be a player or players still entering yet today. There also may be some medical retirements. And there may be players who leave the roster but stay at ND to get their degree. Joshua Bryan and Philip Riley were two players in recent years who took that route.
Norris from Singer Island, Fla.: Since neither Angeli nor Minchey put their names into the transfer portal, does that indicate to you that Leonard’s injury is more serious than acknowledged and that he may never see the field in an ND uniform? Will ND seek another QB in the portal?
Eric Hansen: Hi Norris. No, it doesn't indicate that to me at all. Could Riley have a setback? Sure, and so could any of the quarterbacks suffer a summer or fall injury. But I don't think ND was sandbagging on the severity of his injury or the timetable for his comeback. ... Let's look at Kenny Minchey first. Just finishing his freshman year in school and will be a sophomore in the fall with four full years of eligibility remaining, since he redshirted in 2023. If I'm Minchey, this spring and summer was/is about positioning myself to be a starter in 2025. Leonard on the roster in 2024 doesn't impact that negatively and may be a positive to learn from him, just as Angeli did from Sam Hartman.
So, what would have been the point of transferring? Could he be a starter somewhere in 2024? Perhaps at some schools? But what's his long-term plan? To be developed, and he can do that at ND as a non-starter likely better than any of his available options. If CJ Carr passed him on the depth chart during the season or next spring, he could always transfer at that point, have better options and still have three years to start somewhere. Or he could stay and compete?
Angeli is 1 or 2 going into training camp and the season. If he really wanted to start somewhere else in 2024, he would have had better options in the winter portal than jumping in the spring. Plus he would have had a chance to learn a new system. If I'm Angeli, I would have stayed and complete, knowing I would be the starter if I lost the competition but Leonard got hurt. I also think Angeli will have a much better feel in December about his chances of being ND's starter in 2025. Because he redshirted as a freshman in 2022, he has eligibility in 2025 and 2026.
Andrew from DC: Eric! You have been consistent for months that Aamil Wagner will start over Tosh Baker. Is this based on what you have seen, heard, and/or both? How have reps been split between the two in the Spring? I get the impression that Baker has been running with the 1's more but I have concerns, especially with his abilities in pass protection.
Eric Hansen: Andrew! It's more about what I've seen and what I know than what I've heard. And just getting feedback from people who have played the position but don't necessarily talk to the ND coaching staff, which sometimes can lead you down the right road and sometimes not. It's much easier to take the safe route and predict that guy who got the most No. 1 reps in the spring, but that wouldn't be doing my job. You have to take risks based on some things that are NOT obvious. To me, Baker has done the things physically to put himself in position to win the job. He's added bulk and strength. He's worked very hard. He was a guy who was a DI basketball prospect for a long time, then switched to football. So his upside was intriguing but unknown. I think we know what his ceiling looks like now, and that's a good player who'd make a good third tackle.
Wagner to me is a better athlete, who's been patiently and methodically adding strength and bulk... just not there yet. He's extremely intelligent, great work ethic. I think his best football is ahead of him. And given his other traits, he has what it takes to reach that ceiling. And that's why I'm willing to make that projection. And if I'm wrong, I can live with that.
Chris from South Bend: I could be wrong, but I believe Joe Rudolph espoused a “play the best five” philosophy when he joined ND. The OTs seem to be struggling, but there’s a lot of talent duking it out for two OG spots. Do you think any of the interior contenders—Coogan, Spindler?—could be a solution at OT? Why or why not?
Eric Hansen: Hi Chris … really interesting question. Yes, Joe Rudolph ideally would like to play the best five. I think what makes that a bit harder to achieve is that Harry Hiestand tended to recruit lots of tackles and move some of them inside. Rudolph (and to a certain extent Jeff Quinn before Harry Hiestand's reprise) is tending to recruit tackles and interior guys both. So making that move for a shorter guy who's not as athletic, who doesn't have the reach to make the inside-to-outside move is hard. And really, the biggest issue at tackle is not lack of talent or numbers, it's lack of experience. When ND recruited Charles Jagusah, for instance, here's what longtime recruiting analyst Tom Lemming told me:
“I think coming out of high school, Charles Jagusah is as good as Ronnie Stanley and Quenton Nelson and better than Mike McGlinchey. The challenge is always the next step. The other three took that next step. Having two great tackles to learn from ahead of him, in Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, is going to help Jagusah. Coaching and desire to be great will figure in too, but he’s built to dominate and seems wired to do that too.”
Matt from Salem, Ore.: I am so appreciative to have these chats ongoing in the offseason. I saw there was an offer to a second cornerback in the portal. Do you think that signifies a miss on the first target or another need due to the second transfer? The trend seems to be unhappiness with the OTs and desire for a transfer. Do you agree with that strategy? I tend to think that O-line recruiting has been regularly praised and it is strange to not trust the players and coaches that are seen as strengths. I am a bit biased maybe to those that I know from years of recruitment and development, do you think the transfer push is bias to what is new? Thanks again for your expertise.
Eric Hansen: Matt. I'm appreciative to have chatters like you keeping these going. So let's take these questions one at a time. Notre Dame on Tuesday offered a scholarship to West Virginia/Kent State cornerback Montre Miller. That does not suggest they've lost interest in Rice CB Tre'Shon Devones or vice versa, but his timeline is a little fuzzy in terms of his decision. I have exchanged texts with Devones and he assured me ND's still in the mix. So, Miller is there in case Devones picks another school or his timeline gets too elongated.
The transfer portal has changed the player development model for everyone, including Notre Dame. There are several reasons for this, including the QUALITY of the players who are transferring -- not mostly disgruntled backups, as it used to be. So, instead of holding your breath at a position rife with inexperience or with questionable depth, even teams like ND, that build primarily through high school recruiting, will fill holes at certain positions while still developing those younger players. So, let's say ND could have gotten a two-year Power 5 starter at tackle with NFL potential. That could mean the difference, perhaps, in winning or losing against an elite D-line at Texas A&M. Maybe. Wouldn't that be your choice if you were a head coach?
Joe Cap from Massapequa, N.Y.: Hi Eric, always look forward to reading your articles on ND. You are top notch. It looks like ND is building some potential championship classes back to back with 2024 and 2025. What are your thoughts on taking experienced players from the portal that were developed from other coaching staffs as opposed to developing the players ND recruits? Which path will bring ND a title if you had to choose?
Eric Hansen: Hi Joe. This is a good place to put your question, building on some of what Matt was asking. I think wholesale portal makeovers are not for established programs who have been consistently building through recruiting and player development. But filling holes makes sense. It doesn't have to be one or the other. ND's defense was far better having Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Thomas Harper as starters than the alternative. And Spencer Shrader as the kicker. But just because ND is bringing in Rod Heard II to play safety alongside Xavier Watts doesn't mean Adon Shuler and Luke Talich won't play or get developed. And they may actually benefit from having a more deliberate development arc as rotation players rather than one of them having to start perhaps before they're ready. So I choose building primarily through recruiting and filling holes/needs through the portal.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric, with the recent CB transfers is that the position in your opinion that can least afford an injury as the drop off from the top three players on the depth chart will be significant? How would the Defense change if Jack Kiser, the LB with the most experience, was to miss several games? The young LB's can play but are they ready for the nuances an offense can attack them with.
Eric Hansen: Hi Len. I think that would be accurate, which is why they're trying to add one. You could make a case for offensive tackle to be in that category, given the inexperience of the backups. ... and tight ends if Evans and Bauman's season debuts are delayed (which is not the trajectory). ... Having Kiser on the field is ideal. Should he miss a long stretch, I think Notre Dame would be OK there, certainly athletically. Jaylen Sneed would likely slide over and play Will, and Jaiden Ausberry would be the rover. That Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa at middle linebacker are such students of the game, in addition to being elite athletes, would help with the pre-snap signals, adjusting, etc.
Doug from Sunny Florida: Eric, what would be the biggest miss? ND Football not making the 2024 playoffs or ND Women's basketball not making the Final Four during the 24-25 season? Both programs are primed for success next season and the expectations are very high as well.
Eric Hansen: Hi Doug. This is a day I don't envy your weather. It's really, really nice today here. ... I would say Notre Dame football not making the playoff. I think the WBB team still needs to add a frontcourt player or two from the portal to fortify a Final Four run. And even then, they could be a 2 seed and end up in the same regional as South Carolina, for instance. So there's some luck involved ... and they need the injury gods to be nice to them.
Don from Scottsdale, Ariz.: Eric, Hope all is well with you and hope May brings sunshine and not too much rain. Former ND lineman Steve Elmer was always open regarding he used football as a way to get into a great college. He stopped playing after three years. How unusual was he? Not naming names, but are there guys on the roster who may be dedicated but don't really love the game and all it entails? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Don. There's a difference between loving the game enough to play it in college and not loving it enough to do it professionally. And so, there have been players like Bob Morton and more recently Braden Lenzy, who just want to get on with life after football but ABSOLUTELY loved the college experience and poured their heart into it. Some are influenced by injuries. I was talking to Tommy Kraemer the other day, and he and Josh Lugg (along with Liam Eichenberg, who's still playing) are doing the real estate thing in South Bend. He was telling me about the serious back injuries and surgeries he's gone through and that it was an easy decision to walk away once he got his pension eligibility fulfilled. But I think it would be hard to go through the demands of college football and compete for a starting spot and not love the game.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. Now that spring football is over, if you were Marcus Freeman, what couple of things would you be focusing on the most between now and the start of fall camp to maximize the potential of the 2024 team? I’m sure having a good showing at the draft will help recruiting which continues to improve. It seems however, that to be in the highest echelon of college football, a team needs to pick up a couple of five star players every recruiting cycle. What do you think Notre Dame can due to try and get a few five more five stars each year.? As always, thanks for hosting the chat and the insights. Please keep the chats going during the slow time for us fans, we all really appreciate it.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. Great week and I will email you later this week.... First things first ... roster management. Get the new punter and cornerback on board and then figure out how to get to 85 (which is probably done). Those two additions, plus transfers Beaux Collins and Rod Heard II and eight freshmen arrive in a little over a month ... so getting them set up for summer.... Recruiting never sleeps and getting official visits set up for June to finish 2025 strong is at the forefront .. and keeping momentum going with unofficials for the 2026s.
Marcus Freeman will have a bunch of speaking engagements this month as he is not allowed to join his assistants on the road recruiting. And speaking of road ... putting the things in place that will make ND a better road team than the Irish were last season. ... With the five-star question, remember it's about attracting those players AND retaining them. So fit becomes even more important in the portal era with unlimited transfers. I would think more in terms of top 100 players than five-stars. And Marcus Freeman has been doing a good job there ... five in the 2024 class ... four so far in the 2025 class with a couple of others in the top 150. And don't forget to factor in elite portal players.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: If we get a punter from Australia, will you and Tyler find a restaurant in S Bend where we can have a Thursday football weekend shrimp on bbq, beers, and InsideNDsports get together? Preferably pre-FSU!
Eric Hansen: Put me down for that even if they didn't get a punter from Australia. And let's charge it all to Tyler.
Ryan from Mars, Pa.: Good afternoon Eric what do You Think About Joe Alt Cam Heart Audric Marist and JD getting Drafted i think All will Do Good same with Baptiste with Washington GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈
Eric Hansen: I think it was a really good showing by the ND group and a lot of them went to teams where they'll be in a good position to contribute. Even the guys who were not among the seven who were drafted but signed as free agents (or invited to minicamp) -- Sam Hartman, Spencer Shrader, Michael Vinson and Thomas Harper -- ended up in places where I think their chances of making the roster are favorable.
Kevin from Walnut, Calif.: Since Notre Dame is over the scholarship limit and the transfer portal is now closed, will several players be converted from football scholarships to academic or other type of scholarships? If so, would these players still be allowed/expected to practice but they won't be allowed to play in any games (i.e. Jordan Faison during the early part of last season)?
Eric Hansen: Hi Kevin. If the players either medically retire or leave the roster to become regular students for non-medical reasons, they would not be expected -- nor allowed -- to practice with the team. Jordan Faison's situation was different. He was on a partial lacrosse scholarship. And as long as he didn't play in a game, he could remain on lacrosse scholarship. But the NCAA has a hierarchy for multi-sport athletes. And that's so football doesn't stash extra players in another sport. So, once Faison played in a game, he HAD to be converted to a football scholarship.
Lorne from Reno, Nev.: (Yes, I really live in the shadow of Ponderosa country). One of the more satisfying things about being a Notre Dame football fan is to watch a young man come in as a recruit (three stars, but I like him), see him play against Wisconsin as a tight end to try to save Jack Coan's life, assume the critical left tackle position and play it better than anybody else in the country, because a top draft choice and, best of all, demonstrate character that reflects well upon him, his family and the university. Congratulations to Joe Alt and the rest of the former player moving on to the NFL. Thank you for so many great memories, and best of luck in the pros -- we'll be pulling for you.
Now … Ten-ticket limit to all home games? Alum who aren't rich have no shot at tickets to top games, you can count on a lot of FSU fans buying tickets on the secondary market, and the high ticket-limit sends a message that the ticket office doesn't think there will be a high demand -- nice trifecta by the ticket office (I suspect they just want to make it easy on themselves by limiting the number of customers they need to deal with). I guess I'll be getting Louisville tickets on the secondary market. Who sets these ticket limits? A four-ticket limit for tOSU last year still meant that most alum couldn't get tickets.
Eric Hansen: Hi Lorne. Your rant was more like a tribute. And I was good with it. I will note your ticket questions and save them for another day, because I don't have those answers off the top of my head or even handy without stopping the chat to chase them. But they are good questions, just not in my lane. What I can tell you from talking to new AD Pete Bevacqua recently, there's a great deal of effort and data and strategy being put into keeping an ambitious visiting opponent fan base from snatching up enough tickets to change the atmosphere in the stadium. As far as the limit on tickets, it would seem to me that is set by the anticipated demand. But again, these are topics I'd be happy to look into.
Tom from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric, hope all is well in your world. A couple of questions regarding the Portal: how much time is left for a player to enter the portal? Wouldn't it seem like if a player was going to exit ND that they would have made that decision by now? What are your thoughts on that? Also, it seems as though many of the one-year portal players that have come to ND have really improved over their previous play. Do you think that it is better coaching; playing against tougher competition; or practicing everyday against better players that has accounted for their improvement?? Thanks for continuing the Chats and keeping all of us up to date on Irish football.
Eric Hansen: So, again, the portal for underclassmen closed Tuesday at midnight. And for grad transfers it will close Wednesday at midnight. Now players in the portal don't have to have made their decisions when the windows lose. They just have to be in the portal. And again, the grad transfer deadline is new this spring. As far as the players improving after transferring to ND, you could make a case for better coaching with some of them and better opportunities. JJB, for instance, got great coaching at Ohio State, but Al Washington and Al Golden did a great job with him, and HE made the most of his opportunity he wasn't getting at OSU. The one player who may have gone backwards is Antonio Carter II. And last check he was still looking for a new school.
Matt from Austin: Hi Eric. Good to be with you again and thank you as always for your time. I really like MF as our coach, both as a leader and a man. He's clearly a great recruiter and a fine representative of Notre Dame. If we have a strong season as we all hope, and that team in Ohio can't get a win versus that team in Michigan, should there be concern that MF could be poached by his alma mater? I doubt that I am the only one who has this thought kicking around in my head sadly. Thanks Eric and have a great day.
Eric Hansen: Matt, thanks for being on here ... and a great day to you, which since you live in Austin is probably easy to have. ... These kinds of things don't bounce around in my head ... not that it's wrong... Just not wired like that. So, let me give this a shot, and it may be clumsy. As Marcus Freeman continues to grow as a head coach, he is going to be in demand and not just potentially by his alma mater. So, the question becomes why would he leave. I'm not saying he would NEVER leave, but there are not a lot of compelling reasons at this time for him to do that. One, the administration is giving the football program incredible support, including the building of the Jack and Kathy Shields Family Hall. There have been concessions and middle ground found in transfer portal recruiting. And I remember a conversation I had with Marcus' wife Joanna about how much they valued this area as one in which they felt was great for raising their family. So all those things would pull toward staying.
If Ohio State does make a change in the not-too-distant future, I'll have a more detailed answer and can better weigh the factors at that time.
Matt from Kansas City: Quick Five: 1. Does Notre Dame transfer in a punter or go with what is on roster? 2. When coach is trying to decide whether to challenge a play, does a team have their own video coaches immediately reviewing plays or are they waiting for whatever the TV broadcasts show? 3. Where is the tightest battle on the Offensive line at? 4. Do you think there is a true freshman this year who will be a starter and significant contributor by the end of the year? 5. What is the biggest unknown to date on the roster that needs to be solved by fall?
Eric Hansen: Hi Matt. 1. Transfer punter. 2. There are coaches in the booth who can be in Marcus Freeman's ear and recommend that, but they don't have time to do extensive video reviews. The other team is usually pretty eager to snap the ball. And usually, the replay booth will hold up the game if it sees something and wants another look. 3. Right tackle and left guard. 4. I think there will be several significant contributors, but the only one who might start is Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa at MLB. 5. Determining the starting five O-linemen and building chemistry.
Drew from Alexandria, Va..: Thanks for posting the link to watch Deuce Knight's 7-on-7 games this weekend. I was stunned how good he was and how strong his arm is. He looked better than any of the other QB's I saw, including Tavien St. Clair going to Ohio State. Two questions - (1) the announcers for the game raved about how much better he is this year. If that is true, what do you guys think his chances are to achieve a fifth star? (2) When was the last time we had a QB recruit with such a strong arm?
Eric Hansen: Hi Drew, thanks for adding your name and hometown ... 1) Improvement on the field, actual production would definitely give Deuce Knight a chance to be a five-star. A strong performance at the Elite 11 national competition would help his case. 2) Accuracy and decision-making are the areas of needed growth and that appears to be happening. You're right about elite arms strength. I'd have to do a phone-a-friend to get an accurate answer to comparisons, and sadly, that wouldn't be a short phone call. If you email me ehansen@insidendsports.com, I'll get you that answer before the week is out.
UND_Clancy: We are all worried about O-Line on an otherwise pretty solid ND Football Team. In your minds without doing a ton of research, how many of ND’s 2024 opponents will ND have a better O-Line than ND has?
Eric Hansen: Clancy, I have not studied the opponents' offensive lines. It's not the talent that's a concern. It's the inexperience at so many positions and not having had a chance to build much chemistry. And if they are average and the inexperience doesn't show up, how will that play in games against Texas A&M, Florida State and USC? So I'm going to punt the comparisons until August when I can really study the other opponents, and also get a more accurate gauge on Notre Dame's. There was not a realistic expectation this spring that this would be a finished product ... and thank you for the personal compliment you sent in your other message to me.
Rich from Key West: Which of the position coaches has been the most pleasant surprise with his recruiting ability? Which one needs to step it up to pull his weight in that respect?
Eric Hansen: Hi Rich. I would say Marty Biagi, because he is not limited to special teams players and is willing to take the long trips to Hawaii and now Australia ... and has done well in Hawaii. It's not easy earning that trust, and Marty has done that. ... Who needs to step it up? I'd say Mike Brown is new, so it will be interesting to see how he closes. He has some big fish on the hook right now, but he has to finish. So, not so much of not pulling his weight as much as it is his first chance to cast a good impression.
Roger from Peoria: Happy May Day to you Eric. Two Q's and a comment. I understand the Transfer Portal closed yesterday for all but grad transfers or if a coaching change occurs. I doubt the latter at ND. So, are there eligible graduates among the Irish that will enable the Irish to meet the 85 level even if the TCU CB does not commit or the Irish ''punt" on Biagi's trek down under? What happens to players entering the Transfer Portal who do not find a suitor and are not welcomed back? Are they just SOL? A commonly reported 2024 Irish concern focuses on the OT positions. Not many teams must replace #5 and #59 draft picks from the OT positions in a single year. I am a big Jagusah fan. Due to a late high school surgery, he has had less than a full fall practice to this point. To expect him to bring Alt's 2nd & 3rd year level is unrealistic in year one, and even Alt gave up 3 sacks his first year. IMO, not time to signal "Mayday" for the OTs. And as always, thanks to you and Tyler and GO IRISH!!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Roger, I hoped I picked out the question(s) within the comments and didn't miss one. But you are right, players who enter the portal and don't find a new home and aren't welcomed back are out of luck. ... and thank YOU.
Jake from Saratoga Springs: Hi Eric, I am completely shocked that neither Angeli or Minchey has entered the portal. That being said could you see a scenario where both enter the portal after the upcoming season, especially if Carr continues to progress. I just think the ceiling for Carr is higher than either of them. As always, thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Jake. I was not shocked, but in the portal era, shocking seems to be the norm. Yes, there is a chance that it could happen ... or they both stay and compete. Remember, giving up a Notre Dame degree is a big deal to some kids. Angeli by staying will be much closer to finishing up and getting that even if he transfers in December. I do think CJ Carr will be the starter in 2025, but I don't think that means Angeli and Minchey won't make it competitive or even win the job themselves if they stay.
Megat Muzaffar from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Hi Eric, why not Charles Jagusah anointed as LT1 as end of Spring? Any parallels at this juncture of his career as opposed to recent Irish OL standouts? Hope your answer will
Eric Hansen: Oh Megat, you gave me a cliffhanger with your question cutting off. I'm guessing your last line was: Hope your answer will be brilliant!!!! I think Charles Jagusah remains the heavy favorite to start at left tackle on Aug, 31, but ND was still considering a portal addition, which could have changed the calculus ... and Amil Wagner could still be considered there with Charles moving to right... But again, I think Charles will end up at LT. I think early in training camp to determine the starting five will be soon enough.
Tim from St Louis: Thanks as always for these chats. Its great. My question has to do with being over the scholarship limit in the first place. ND controls the number of scholarship offers and then there's preferred walk ons hoping for a scholarship. Isn't there someone keeping count before someone is needing to be cut ? And what happens to that player that comes to campus for a year or two and can't afford ND tuition ? does NIL help those recruits ? Hardly seems fair for someone on the team to lose to a grad transfer IMO.
Eric Hansen: Hi Tim. This started late in the Brian Kelly regime where roster management became very precise in terms of trying to hit that 85 limit, because too often ND was well below it. The ability for players to transfer without sitting out and now an unlimited amount of times only complicates things. So, Marcus Freeman makes sure there is constant dialogue, not just an exit interview at season's end, to get a gauge of who's leaving. ND does not take players off scholarship and make them pay for school. Those who medically retire, for instance, stay on scholarship ... just not athletic scholarship. I hope I answered what you were asking.
Eric Hansen: OK, I am out of time. Thanks for all the great questions. Sorry for the ones I couldn't get to. We'll be back next week to do it all over again. ... at noon ET on Wednesday.
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