Chat Transcript: More ND portal additions? What's long game for Styles?
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, pre-Blue Gold Game edition.
Some quick programming notes:
► If you missed this week’s live episode of our weekly offseason Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. In our latest episode, Tyler James and I discuss what we're expecting to see in Saturday's Blue-Gold Game, the latest spring developments for Notre Dame, wide receiver Lorenzo Styles working at cornerback, the latest on the recruiting front and more, while answering questions from viewers.
► We’ll be recording our Inside ND Sports Podcast Friday afternoon with a special guest. You can find the podcast link Friday evening at insideNDsports.com. You can also listen on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Podbean and Pocket Casts.
► Finally, I’ll be making a return to WSBT radio on Saturday as part of the radio coverage team for the Blue-Gold Game. Darin Pritchett and I will team up for a pregame show at 1:30 p.m. EDT, and then on coverage of the game from 2-4 ET. There are lots of ways to tune in: On SiriusXM Channel 380, SXM Internet Channel 970, locally Sports Radio 960 and the live stream at wsbtradio.com and the free WSBT Radio app.
As for today’s chat, please remember to include your name and hometown along with your questions.
Here come the rules:
Eric Hansen: Because we're expecting a high temp of 83 degrees this afternoon in South Bend, the 'no bare feet' and 'no drinking' rules have been rescinded for today.
OK, let's get started.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. I’m sure you’re looking forward to the game Saturday. With it looking like Styles may move to cornerback and with Smith no longer in the program do you think ND should/will pursue a wide receiver in the transfer portal? Also, I know not much can be drawn from spring games, but what couple of things will you be focusing on the most when you watch the game this weekend? What could you see that would make you feel more positive about the fall and what could you see that would make you feel more negative about the fall? As always thanks for hosting the chat.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. Great week here. Thanks for asking. Assuming Lorenzo Styles stays at cornerback — and my sense is he will — Notre Dame will still have nine scholarship wide receivers when the younger Kaleb Smith arrives in June. Given the significant progress the three early enrolled freshmen have made, the huge leaps by guys like Tobias Merriweather and Deion Colzie, and Chris Tyree recently killing it at slot receiver, I think Notre Dame would not see that as an urgent add. It would also be a tough sell for playing time.
Some things I'll be keeping an eye on in the Blue-Gold Game are: The chemistry and timing between Sam Hartman/Tyler Buchner and the receivers, and individual tackling and overall play of individuals in the defensive front seven. I'm not sure there's something that's going to move me off the impressions I've already gathered this spring ... it will likely need to wait until fall.
Frank from Royse City, Texas: Eric, there are some good safeties in the portal, especially one from Boston College, why doesn’t ND start making a move on getting a safety?
Eric Hansen: Frank, the transfer portal reopened on April 15 and closes at the end of the day on April 30. That's the deadline to get your name in. You don't need to pick a school in that window. Notre Dame, I know, is monitoring the safeties and may have already made contact with some. But they're not going to push for them, schedule visits etc., until after the Blue-Gold Game. And remember when you're doing your own safety shopping, grad transfers and freshmen are the easiest to get through admissions.
Matt from DC: Do you see any chance that this becomes a redshirt year for Lorenzo Styles to learn the CB position and then give himself 2 years to prove he has what it takes to make it in the NFL? Or is it more likely that he gets thrown into the fire this year and just has 1 more year of eligibility?
Eric Hansen: I think that's an interesting option and it depends on two things: How fast Styles can impact the position and what the health of the rest of the position group looks like. If everyone's healthy, then Cam Hart and Ben Morrison are your starters with Thomas Harper/Clarence Lewis as the top options at nickel and then some nice depth with Lorenzo Styles, Jaden Mickey, Christian Gray as the top reserves. That's a strong and deep CB corps -- elite. Now here comes the ifs -- If Hart's shoulder doesn't hold up, Styles has a chance to compete to be a starter. If he proves he has skills to cover the slot (he has the speed), then he could win that job. So I think it's less likely he'd redshirt, given my sense of how quickly he'll adapt. Then he'll be a starter in 2024 either outside or at nickel.
Jeremy from Goshen: Glad to see this chat is calorie free. Does this mean anything I eat during this chat won't go straight to my waistline? Now to me real question, It seemed like last year there was a lot of hype around recruiting and ND was in on some big name players. This year, overall it feels the opposite, Is this a result of going 8-4/losing to Marshall/newness of Freeman wearing ooff or more of ND's staff settling more for players that they believe they have a chance with, a la Brian Kelly's philosophy?
Eric Hansen: Hey Jeremy. We're trying to get Diet Coke as a sponsor. Is it working? I think maybe what you're experiencing is a bit of a mirage. Among the players who helped drive ND's early high ranking in the 2023 cycle were DE Keon Keeley and S Peyton Bowen, whose profiles continued to build throughout the cycle, but who ultimately went elsewhere. You also had the buzz going about Dante Moore ending up at ND, but he didn't. I think had Justin Scott (five-star DT) already committed, it would feel different. He is still expected to end up at ND. I think you'll start to see the momentum shift in June toward ND when they host official visits. Keep in mind 2024 QB CJ Carr has already in the class for almost a year and WR Cam Williams already in the class and a five-star on some of the other services (high four-star for Rivals).
Curt Warsaw In: Eric, it seems like the recruiting front has been kinda quiet. Do you expect a up tick after the Blue Gold game?
Eric Hansen: The list continues to expand .. already 11 2024 targets and some big names. ... seven 2025 targets, four 2026 prospects and a bunch of the committed 2024 recruits, including CJ Carr and Cam Williams, to help recruit the others. .. there are three other 2024s and two from the 2025 class who will be starting their visits on Friday.
Doug from Sunny Florida: Eric, with the imminent move for L. Styles to cornerback, have you heard of any talk of him getting a look at Safety? With the numbers crunch there and more bodies already available at CB, seems like a possibility unless his skill set it geared more towards CB.
Eric Hansen: Doug, I trump your sunniness today (but not Saturday unfortunately.) I asked specifically about his availability to move to safety, and defensive coordinator Al Golden specified corner. And he's almost giddy about it. What it does is open up the possibility of Ryan Barnes or someone else to audition at safety. Barnes took some reps there this spring. Clarence Lewis did not. There's a need for an older safety (portal) to join the rotation at the top of the depth chart and perhaps a converted corner to become part of the future of that senior-heavy group.
Jeff from Phoenix: Good morning Eric. The spring dates for the transfer portal seemed confusing to me and potentially awkward for managing the ND football roster. When exactly did the NCAA change the dates from May 1-15 to April 15-30? Did this catch ND off guard since their spring practice/Blue-Gold game finishes 4/22 which is now right in the middle of the window. Finally, do you think ND will adjust the B/G game date in 2024 to coincide with the start of the portal opening (assuming the NCAA doesn’t change the dates again)? Thanks much-
Eric Hansen: Thanks for your email by the way ... here are a few points regarding today's question. The NCAA actually switched the dates a few months ago but didn't publicize it. I would imagine most schools knew, but some might not have and the media certainly didn't know. ... Even then, Notre Dame didn't have a lot of wiggle room with its spring football dates and the Blue-Gold Game date. That's because of the late coaching movement (Tommy Rees to Alabama, Harry Hiestand retiring, Brian Mason to the Colts). So spring practice was pretty compressed into a small window.
Keep in mind a lot of other schools have already head their spring games. The NCAA said it switched the dates to give the players more time to find homes and get enrolled in summer-term classes. I still think this is workable, considering a lot of moving parts were settled just before the start of spring. If ND is willing to let spring break interrupt spring practice (and it's been done) than an earlier date for the Blue-Gold Game could be considered in 2024. I think how things go this spring should help inform that consideration.
Joey G. Philadelphia, Pa: Hi Eric, It seems like once again the Irish reporters are trying to stir up a debate as too who the starting QB will be in 2023. I'm not buying into that debate. If Marcus Freeman had so much faith in Buchner why did he go into the portal for an experienced QB like Hartman? Hartman ranks 16th & 18th All Time in passing yards & TD's. On the other hand Buchner has showed nothing so far in his career to think he could lead us to a CFP. In Buchner's only win of his career. He still managed to throw 3 Int's & 2 Pick 6's.That bowl win I believe convinced Freeman that he couldn't make the playoff with Buchner playing that way. Las Vegas has Hartman as the 6th ranked favorite to win the Heisman. That's all you need to know as to who will be the starting QB in 2023! Who do you see as the starting QB for ND in 2023?
Jake Saratoga Springs NY: Do you think there is any reason to believe Sam Hartman will not be the starter opening day? Because if so I think that is very concerning. I mean I think it’s a great indication of how Buchner is doing but would worry. If this guy was brought in for nothing. There again I feel as though Tommy Reese was in way over his head.
Eric Hansen: I'm going to pair these two questions from Joey and Jake and answer them together.
Here's my take on the quarterback situation without addressing some of each of your commentary. I'll let that stand on its own. ... Last offseason, Marcus Freeman asked Tommy Rees if the Irish needed to consider a portal QB for the spring semester. Rees was confident they had two options who could play championship football in Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne. Maybe if Buchner stayed healthy and developed quickly, that would have still looked like a good plan. Marcus learned from the situation, and when Sam Hartman was available and interested, he committed to that plan.
There are always the possibility of ripples when you entertain bringing in someone the caliber of Hartman. ND could have lost multiple QBs or none. They've lost Pyne to this point to a transfer. Was that worth the risk? Yes it was. So Hartman and Buchner went into spring in a competition, with Hartman the favorite to emerge. Buchner had the advantage of knowing what Rees' system was, even though Gerad Parker is adapting it. Hartman had the advantage of a proven track record.
Hartman was set back about a month because of the change in offensive coordinators and QB coaches. He can and will overcome that. And I believe he will be the starting QB for the Irish in 2023. But Hartman and Buchner became friends and allies. They worked out on spring break together before spring practice started. They watched film together, helped each other during practices. And Buchner transformed.
When Hartman transferred in, I thought the best-case scenario was for Buchner to stay and benefit from one of the best QBs in college football. That is happening. I believe it's to the point where Buchner is now a heavy favorite to be the starter in 2024. where before he was just one of many options and not necessarily the strongest one. That in turn allows the Irish to bring along Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr at a more reasonable pace. Could Buchner still transfer by the 30th? Yes, but I see that as highly unlikely.
Whew. Now I need a beer and some bare feet.
SingKevin: We hear all the time that the Blue Gold Game is just one of 15 practices and should be evaluated as such. Do the players view the game that way? Do emerging players treat it differently than established players?
Eric Hansen: SingKevin, please include your hometown next time, unless Kevin is your hometown. ... I think when there's a player draft and trash talking and a real game with real football scoring, it amps up the importance to all of the players. And that's the case this year for the second year in a row.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric, Great coverage by you and Tyler with articles. podcasts and Football Never Sleeps. Next portal is here. Who will move? What a different landscape for players compared to the pre portal days. I am sure a lot goes into the decisions a player makes. Some might truly feel overlooked. Others have not developed as they hoped. Then that player needs to decide would they develop better where they might play? Or at ND where the competition in practice can push them to be better if that player gets enough reps? Here is wishing that each and every player comes to realize what their best decision will be. Along the portal lines not naming names but tell me your best guess as to number of transfers you might expect from each position group.
Eric Hansen: Hi Len and thanks for the compliments. Counting a couple of players who are not yet in the portal but already announced as impending transfers (cornerback Philip Riley and kicker Josh Bryan), Notre Dame is at 86 scholarships. The Irish need to be at 85 by the first day of fall-semester classes. Some of what they might lose could affect what they may add beyond safety. I would say the position groups where a depth-chart issue could coax a transfer are offensive line, linebacker and defensive line as the most likely.
Shaun- Boston: Do you see Styles switch to the defensive side a permanent move? Why CB as opposed to safety? Thank you.
Eric Hansen: Hi Shaun, it's not officially permanent, but I mentioned earlier I sense it will be. He likes it. And corner rather than safety was his decision and preference and fits his still set well, even though the great immediate need is at safety.
Jim, Boston MA: Hi Eric, early but do you feel there is a high likelihood that all 3 early enrollee freshmen are contributors during the season? Is that the sense thus far with reps and progression of those 3 who are on campus right now? I am also very high on Kaleb KK Smith, so i feel he could be a nice summer surprise to infuse additional depth at the position, but perhaps not a need given the current success of tyree and progression of guys already in the WR room. Thoughts?
Eric Hansen: Hi Jim, for further reading on the topic, I suggest the story I posted Wednesday: Notre Dame freshman WR trio continues to progress ahead of schedule ... I wouldn't rule out KK Smith. He's the lowest-rated of the four freshmen but very fast. As I mentioned in the story, Chansi Stuckey is thrilled with the progress of the other three. The question becomes how deep do you want your regular rotation to be? I think the starters will be Jayden Thomas (boundary), Chris Tyree (slot), Tobias Merriweather (field). Deion Colzie (boundary) is No. 4. I would say the greatest opportunity for the freshmen is for Rico Flores Jr. and Jaden Greathouse to be 5 and 6 at field and slot, respectively. That would leave Braylon James, Smtih and Matt Salerno in smaller roles.
Ryan mars pa: Good afternoon Eric how has JD Bertrand and Marist looked so far in practice go Irish can’t wait to watch Saturday ☘️☘️🏈🏈
Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan. JD Bertrand was as good as I've ever seen him this spring. He made plays all over the field and his play diagnosis was outstanding. Marist Liufau played a couple of different roles. He played his traditional Wiil/Weakside linebacker role, but also lined up at vyper end in some packages in rushing the passer. I liked him moving around like that. I thought Jack Kiser, who also moved around in base defense and in packages, had the better spring of those two. Kiser is out with an injury for Saturday's game as is Prince Kollie from the linebacker corps. The others will play.
Kevin-Sleepy Eye, MN: Eric!!!!! A draft was held for the Saturdays game. That sounds so cool....so fun to be a part of!! Saturday I'm focusing on D-line.....Will I be impressed?
Eric Hansen: Kevin !!!!!!!! Yes, the draft was held Thursday morning, and was quick and kind of confusing. All the draft picks, rules of the game, injured players and complete rosters are now available here. Since all but freshman Devan Houston is healthy and playing in the game from that position group, I think you'll be surprised. The defense is limited to one pressure per four downs in quarters 1-3. In the fourth quarter, there are no limits.
Denny from Beaverton, Ore.: Hi Eric; I just get the feeling that the overall vibe out of the spring session is better than past springs. Offense seems disciplined and doing well against the defense, buzz about the wide receivers and their development and Tyler's strong performance that indicates he should definitely have a more active role this fall. I'm sure Marcus learned alot from last spring but how do you see this spring compared to last and even some of the Kelly years? Just this week finalized our flights to Ireland for the Navy game! Thanks for your great coverage of the Irish.
Eric Hansen: Thanks Denny, and have a great time in Ireland. So I'll compare it first to Marcus Freeman's first spring, last year. He's a lot more present on offense, a lot more clear about his vision. I think they did less hitting this year and were more conscientious about injuries yet got more done. The defense had more continuity, so they were able to take it schematically to another level. We'll see how that pays off in the fall. The offense had more layers to deal with and more newness. That made for some unflattering aesthetics at times but they were also able to accomplish a lot. And yet I felt I had a better feel for last year's team's bottom line than this year's.
However, in terms of possible movement in August training camp. I think there's much more potential for upward movement where the unknowns are concerned than downward movement.
As far as Brian Kelly-coached springs, those evolved over time, just as Marcus' will. Kelly was pretty loud and not very G-rated in the early years and spend scads of time on offense and little time on defense. Later, he was more balanced in how he spent his time and had a more controlled decorum.
John - Elkhorn, Ne.: Hi Eric -any news on any walk on players that have a good chance of playing time? Thanks!
Eric Hansen: hi John. In terms of position players, maybe Marty Auer at safety as a depth piece. As far as special teams, punter Ben Krimm (Penn) is a walk-on transfer who will challenge Bryce McFerson, and defensive end Cole Aubrey (Princeton) should earn a role on the coverage units. Walk-on QB Dylan Devezin is already the holder on place kicks. There are some others who have had good spring, but are at deep positions -- CB Isaiah Dunn and DE Kobi Onyiuke have caught my eye. Keep in mind kickoff man Zac Yoakam still has walk-on status.
Don in PHX: Eric, Been busy and haven't participated in a few weeks but always read the transcripts. Hope all is well. After an unusually cool and wet winter, spring is great in the desert. Going into spring workouts you had questions. Which ones were answered? Now that spring ball is ending what questions have arisen that need to be answered/solved in the fall? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Don, you are forgiven, and welcome back. The condensed answer is D-line surprised me and Jordan Botelho convinced me he can be an answer at vyper end. I still need to see more progress in the fall, but lots of surprises including NG Jason Onye. Safeties at the top of the depth chart answered some questions, but there are still depth issues. Still waiting to see how the linebacker playing time is allotted in the fall, but I feel good about Jaylen Sneed, Jack Kiser and Nolan Ziegler all making moves. Too bad Kollie missed so much time with a concussion (he won't play Saturday). Defensive coordinator Al Golden thought he was making progress before that. Cam Hart's shoulder will be a question until we see it hold up against contact. If there's a problem, though, Lorenzo Styles helps provide insurance.
On offense, the wide receivers, including Chris Tyree in the slot, have been convincing. I think ND will have a very good No. 1 and 2 QB. I don't see the need to get an offensive guard out of the portal now ... Billy Schrauth is coming on and either Rocco Spindler or Andrew Kristofic should be able to handle right guard. We'll know more about the tight ends when they're all healthy. The big thing this summer is just continued growth and the QBs growing with the tweaks in the new offense.
I know Marcus Freeman has great confidence in Gerad Parker as offensive coordinator. The players seem to love him. Ask me about him after the Ohio State game, but I like what I see so far.
John from Scottsdale: Eric, love the chats and especially like that you do them weekly. No bye weeks. Also football never sleeps is great. Last year the outside perception was the offense was mostly Rees with not a lot of input from others. This year with a new OC and a QB coach and O Line coach who have recent OC experience do you have the sense that the offense is more collaborative?
Eric Hansen: Hi John, thanks for watching and thanks for the feedback. I think this offense is WAY more collaborative, not that Tommy Rees' was completely devoid of it. Gerad Parker makes it a priority. I think that process will continue through the summer and into the fall as well. Deland McCullough is an aspiring coordinator/head coach and Brady Quinn once told me Chansi Stuckey thought like a coach when he was an NFL player and the two were teammates with the Browns. So, there are a lot of good ideas potentially. It's a matter of selecting the right ones.
George from El Segundo: Hi Eric, my best to you and yours! What is the diagnosis/prognosis on Ketterer? Thank you.
Eric Hansen: Hi George, I know he's not playing in the Blue-Gold Game because of injury. His name came up at the tail end of Marcus Freeman's last press conference. Because he's not someone likely to see game action soon, I didn't follow up on his injury after the press conference. If there's a chance it will keep him from being the scout team QB for ND's season opener with Navy, I promise I'll track down the details when training camp opens in August.
Romon from Virginia: Hello eric! How are you doing ? I wonder ask you how was notre dame football are full strength or still few weak area ?? Defensive back is issue depth ?? I hope they able need get Defensive line, Defensive back or playemaker??
Eric Hansen: Hi Romon. I feel like a million bucks today. If I think the position group coming out of spring of most concern is safety, because of the depth factor. The top of the rotation players have played well as did freshman Ben Minich before he got hurt. I liked what I saw from the D-line in the spring and want to see more of that in August. I think the O-line has adapted well to new position coach Joe Rudolph and I think once they get the two starting guards in place, I'm encouraged there.
Tom in Evanston: Eric, There are no certainties, but do you think the losses against teams like Marshall and Stanford will not occur again?
Eric Hansen: Tom, I think there is less likelihood they'll happen this season, given Marcus Freeman's growth as a head coach, the strength of his assistants and the depth of talent.
Eric Hansen: OK, that's going to do it this week. We're going to stay in weekly mode at least one more week and I would suspect a few more to cover the draft and the portal comings and goings. Thanks for all the great questions today. We'll see you next week at noon EDT Thursday, hours before the NFL Draft's first round.
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