Chat Transcript: Dishing on Notre Dame football's walk-ons of note
Eric Hansen: Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, Quasi-Early Training Camp Edition.
► Some quick programming notes. I’ve returned to WSBT radio as a co-host with Darin Pritchett on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com) on Wednesdays and Thursdays during training camp and the 2023 Notre Dame Football season. I'll also be co-hosting the pregame shows with Darin. The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. You can download episodes as podcasts.
► Join Tyler James and me Thursday night at 8 ET for this week’s live episode of our weekly Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps. You can chat right along with us as we take your questions live. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. The show is brought to you by Legacy Heating and Air.
► If you missed our Inside ND Sports Podcast, our special guest Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Clint Cosgove helped us recap the recent flurry of recruiting activity on the Notre Dame front, including its Grill & Chill event this past Sunday. Cosgrove discussed how impressive it would be for Notre Dame to land 2025 offensive tackle Owen Strebig and his potential as a prospect, ND's newest commitment from 2025 running back Justin Thurman, the talent base in St. Louis, the rise of 2025 defensive end Christopher Burgess Jr., 2024 defensive tackle Justin Scott's Ohio State commitment, how elite 2025 wide receiver Talyn Taylor is and what 2025 quarterback Deuce Knight would mean for the Irish. You can listen on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Podbean and Pocket Casts.
► Finally, our new sponsor for the chat is J&R Solutions. They provide high-speed internet where other places say they can’t in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan — and quite possibly your home.
As for today's chat ... PLEASE remember to include your name and hometown with your question. Telepathy won't work. That's not part of my skill set.
Here are the rules.
Eric Hansen: By the way, today is practice No. 7 of preseason training camp. ... Let the chatting commence!
McDrew (actual name Drew) from Alexandria, Va.: I am intrigued by a couple walk-ons. Many of us were excited when Luke Talich committed as a PWO. He has nice size and speed. How has he looked? I was also impressed watching Jordan Faison’s videos. So quick and shifty. I was psyched when I saw he was listed with the group of possible punt returners. How is he doing?
Eric Hansen: As people shout at my grandsons when they don't swing at lousy pitches in baseball ... "good eye". Jordan Faison (5-10, 182) was a QB/DB/KR at Pine Crest High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a two-star recruit per Rivals. He initially committed to ND for lacrosse, but then got a football scholarship offer to play at Iowa. ND then offered him a chance to walk on and play both sports for the Irish. He chose that option and has looked like he belongs in wide receiver drills. He's also in the large pool of kickoff return candidates. He is a nice depth piece.
Luke Talich is a 6-4, 198-pound safety from Cody, Wyo. He could turn out to be more than just a curiosity. Talich, a three-star prospect, per Rivals, turned down scholarship offers from Oregon State, Washington State, Wyoming, Utah and a bunch of FBS schools to walk on at his dream school. He ran a 10.8-second 100-meter dash and led Cody to two Wyoming state titles as a quarterback/safety. Both of his parents played college sports, and his brother is a linebacker at Wyoming. He has a chance to contribute somewhere, maybe special teams if not safety right away.
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Kevin-Sleepy Eye,MN: Eric!!!! I feel we're on the verge of super conferences....I don't like it so I HOPE the Pac-12 gets a deal and doesn't fall apart. If it does happen; Are super conferences a threat to our ability as an independent to create our own schedule? Will we always get the quality opponents we need to earn a bid to play-offs if we win? Go Irish!!
Eric Hansen: Kevin!!!!! I do not believe super conferences are a threat to Notre Dame's independence UNLESS the ACC blows up and no one will take the Irish basketball teams and Olympic sports teams without football being a full-time member OR ND can't negotiate a media rights deal that will keep them competitively financially with the SEC and Big Ten schools. Florida State was making noise today about an imminent departure from the ACC, so stayed tuned. ... I don't see scheduling as a problem.
Manny in San Pedro: Eric!!!!!!!! It's August! Whoop Whoop!!!!!! So excited for the upcoming season. IF Notre Dame is going to beat OSU, what areas have to make the biggest strides in camp?
Eric Hansen: OK Kevin, you better step up your exclamation point game. Manny's got you beat by 4 !!!!So, MANNY!!%^*#@!! Hopefully, Notre Dame is focused on the four opponents that came before Ohio State, but you and I can safely look ahead without consequence. Manny, the checklist is pretty long, but it must start with winning the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball -- something the Irish couldn't get done in Columbus, and it finally caught up to them in the fourth quarter. It will also be a big test for first-year offensive coordinator Gerad Parker and the kind of game he'll call against a very good OSU defense. When the game gets a little closer, we can do a deeper dive. Great to have you and your punctuation back in the chat.
Jonathan from Addison, Texas: Hi, Eric. I played 8-man football at a tiny Kansas high school. Don’t think that perspective lends credibility to this question. But there, it seemed pretty obvious to me which of my teammates were better and worse. Didn’t really take a whole practice, let alone training camp. At ND, however, it sometimes seems they’re half way through the season before realizing the better player has been buried on the bench. Is this common in college football? Is player evaluation harder than it seems even after spring ball and training camp?
Eric Hansen: Hey Jonathan, great question. It's not just about evaluation but trust. And also keep in mind, lots of players and the growth aren't static. Especially young, talented players keep learning and the game slows down for them and suddenly coaches can trust them to see high-leverage snaps in the game. Linebacker Jaylen Sneed is a good example of that happening last season. Jorden Botelho too as a rotational player at defensive end. Sometimes, though, you're right players get buried. The weekly grind becomes more about getting ready for an opponent than an open evaluation. Sometimes that has to wait until a bye week. Some young players who might help later than sooner on this year's roster are defensive linemen Boubacar Traore and Brenan Vernon and wide receiver Braylon James, for instance.
Skip - Houston: Which team won the Isiah Cannon v. Logan Saldate "trade" - and why? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: For those who don't follow recruiting closely, Isiah Canion is a WR from Georgia, who committed to ND but decided to flip to Georgia Tech to be closer to home. Logan Saldate less than a month later flipped his commitment from Oregon State to ND (in late July). They're similarly ranked -- both three-star prospects and not currently among the top 100 receivers in the class. Both are likely going to rise in the rankings over time. Canion is 6-4, 190 and Saldate is 5-10 and about 180 now. Canion may have the higher ceiling here, but ND doesn't have many receivers who profile as slot receivers as well as Saldate does, and so I think this will actually turn out to be a win for ND, though again I think Canion's going to keep improving and be pretty good for Georgia Tech.
Larry from Topton, PA – With the start of camp, it has been great to be reading and listening to you and Tyler, but I do want to also mention that I have been really impressed with Charleston’s early contributions to your team. Question 1: Please rank these coaching losses in order of long term impact: Balis, Hiestand, Rees. 2: I recall that back in the day, Tim Brown and Rocket would occasionally line up in the backfield and get conventional running back carries, particularly in the 4th quarter when they could use their speed against tired defenses. I remember them getting 50 or so carries per year. Am I remembering that correctly? Has the game changed that much, or could Chris Tyree possibly follow along with that template, and take some carries out of the backfield?
Eric Hansen: Thanks for the kind words Larry, especially toward Charleston. He's a rising star in this business and we're thrilled to have him on our team. ... To your first question, it really is about the replacement. A good example of this was Urban Meyer hiring away Brian Kelly's O-line coach, Ed Warinner, after year two of his regime ahead of the 2012 season. So, Kelly goes out and hires ... Harry Hiestand, a substantial upgrade. For the three coaches you mentioned, if you remove the replacement from the formula (which doesn't make sense), Hiestand had the best track record with Matt Balis held in similar regard. Tommy Rees is viewed as a coach on the rise, but his potential still overshadows his production in my opinion. Perhaps the shift comes this year, perhaps not. But I like what I have seen from Joe Rudolph so far. Gerad Parker is an unknown still and we don't know who will replace Balis. So my answer at this point is Balis is where ND will feel the loss the most.
Your memory is pretty good when it comes to Tim Brown and Rocket Ismail. Brown carried the ball 59 times in 1986 and 34 in his Heisman Trophy-winning season in 1987. Not for a huge average per carry, though. Ismail had zero rushes as a freshman in 1988, but 64 in 1989 and 67 in 1990 and was more explosive in that role than Brown. Offenses and defenses have changed. I think you will see Chris Tyree get a handful of carries, but nowhere near those numbers ... and barring a run of injuries, they'd come on jet sweeps and gadget plays. The Irish just have too many good running backs, some with elite speed, to put Tyree in the backfield in a traditional running back role. If anything, I think you'll see running backs split out more often then you will see Tyree in the backfield.
Jules from Joliet, Ill.: I have question on Aamil Wagner. When he committed to ND he weighed around 260 lbs. I remember some commentators questioned if he could add enough weight to be an effective OL and still maintain his athleticism. I see he is now listed at 288 lbs. Do you have any observations on Mr Wagner’s progress? As always, thank you for doing these chats.
Eric Hansen: I watched Aamil Wagner extensively during Tuesday's practice during the media window of the first five periods. I really like what I see, and that is a player who'd start for most FBS teams who didn't have two Outland Trophy candidates at tackle. He's progressing so well, O-line coach Joe Rudolph took a look at him at guard to see if he wanted to introduce him into the competition at those spots. There are players I get excited about before they've turned the corner, and he's one of them. Athletic, smart and increasingly powerfully built.
Jim, Oregonia OH: Eric! Not sure if you ever get tired of hearing it, but you are awesome when it comes to everything Irish football! Really enjoy your insight and holding these chats for us all to opine. Couple of things...will you be going to Ireland for the kickoff game? Who do you think will ultimately win the guard positions? Do you feel like Schrauth has one position locked down and the other is up for grabs? Is there a "sleeper" that could surprise us all? I think this has the potential to be a stellar o-line, but that is one position group that needs to get set fairly soon because cohesion in that unit is critical. Thanks again for your insight.
Eric Hansen: Jim, IF I ever get tired of hearing it and am anything less than humble and grateful, please throw a rotten tomato at me. Thank you. Tyler James will be making his first trip abroad for the game. I think Billy Schrauth and Rocco Spindler will be the eventual starters. O-line coach Joe Rudolph maintains the competition is real at both positions. Pat Coogan is trying to overtake Schrauth. Rocco has pulled even with Andrew Kristofic. Rudolph gives big points to physicality. Kristofic is more assignment-correct. I watched Rocco destroy a fake defender on one drill, but it was the wrong guy. That's the dilemma. My wager is on the notion that he'll figure it out in time to edge out Kristofic for the job. Coogan deserves credit for pushing Schrauth, who's almost comically strong. I just mentioned Aamil Wagner — that would be the sleeper.
Tom from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric. I'll try to keep this short and direct, but I need your insight and expert opinion on a couple of questions: 1) Presuming Balis' reason for leaving was truly personal and also presuming ND won't do anything about a replacement until after the season, if the problems are solved could he return??? 2) More or less TE under center in 2023? 3) If Kristolic and Spindler are so close for the starting RG any chance of a jumbo package including both of them on short yardage?? Thanks. Go Irish!!!
Eric Hansen: Tom, I suppose that could happen, but I think if it were a real possibility, Matt Balis would have asked for a leave of absence instead of resigning. I know Marcus Freeman and the players would love to have him back, although they have responded well to interim director of sports performance Fred Hale. 2) The Mitch-a-palooza package, with current TE/former HS QB Mitchell Evans under center on short yardage, I believe, will happen less often in 2023, because Sam Hartman is more of a goal-line/short-yardage weapon than Drew Pyne was and the element of surprise is gone, but I don't necessarily think it completely disappears. 3) I think a jumbo package would more like use Tosh Baker or Michael Carmody than Kristofic, if they consider doing it at all.
Frank from Royse City, Texas: I hear Kevin Bauman is not practicing, any updates on him?
Eric Hansen: Frank, we don't have an official word and won't until Marcus Freeman next speaks to the media on Tuesday night after practice.
Marie from Atlanta: hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week and really enjoying the first few practices. Thanks for hosting the chat. With Jim Leonhard signing on is an analyst for Illinois last week it got me thinking. Do you think Notre Dame needs to use more analysts? I really feel like Tommy Rees could have benefited from an analyst last year. It seems like bigger programs have a lot more analysts on their staff than Notre Dame does, is this an Area where Notre Dame is falling short? Switching gears, What do you think we will see the most of the season, 11, 12, or 22 personnel? As always thanks for hosting the chat, and for all your great insights.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. I think ND has made investments in some non-coaching positions that are really valuable in terms of evaluation, recruiting and infrastructure. Butler Benton — assistant athletic director/football player personnel is a good example. His job touches recruiting and the transfer portal, among other things. So, I'm not sure ND is at a deficit with analysts ... at one point, yeah, they were and yes, I agree on the Rees situation in 2022. But analysts and grad assistants are kind of at a crossroads. The NCAA is close to expanding those roles and/or deregulating how many on-field assistants there can be all together. Once that happens, the numbers game will become an important conversation. More does not always mean more. As far as 11, 12 or 22 personnel, I'll say it depends on the opponent, down and distance and field position, but I'll say 11.
Manny in San Pedro: Congrats on getting back on the radio!!!!! love it!!!, are you just 5-6 wed and thurs even during the season?
Eric Hansen: Thanks, Manny. Yes. My schedule won't allow more than Wednesdays and Thursdays. ... and of course the pregame shows on Saturdays.
Len from the Jersey: Hello Eric, Appreciate your thoughts on a quick question today. Could what happened at Northwestern happen at ND? Why or why not? Thanks Eric again for hosting.
Eric Hansen: Hi Len. The easy answer to the hazing scandal at Northwestern is that it can happen anywhere. It's a reminder to every college coach to be vigilant about it not happening on their campus and in their program. Team culture plays a big part in it.
Tim from Kansas City: Eric!!! Thanks for your thoughtful insight. My genuine excitement for this season is tempered by echoes of the argument that ND won’t win in this modern era because they don’t go all in. Apparel, NIL, the Gug, etc. Much of that I take with a grain of salt regarding recruiting, as Coach Holtz said “Those who know Notre Dame, no explanation’s necessary. Those who don’t, no explanation will suffice.” I had read some rumblings that our revered hall of famer suggested to Urban Meyer that he should go to Florida not ND if he wanted the support necessary to win a natty. It is difficult to make sense of those different sentiments from Holtz, who clearly loves ND. In that light, What do you see regarding the support Coach MF gets and is it adequate?
Eric Hansen: Hi Tim!!! Loving the excessive but welcomed punctuation today. ... There are a lot of fans who share your concerns. Some of that is more about monsters under your bed or in your closet than reality. I'm going to skip past your window dressing and just answer the question at the end. It's more important what Marcus Freeman thinks in that regard than what I think, and Marcus Freeman believes Notre Dame has the resources to win a national title, no excuses. And yet there are battles he fights to increase his chances. And the most critical at this juncture isn't NIL or apparel or the timetable for the promised Gug expansion. It's finding the sweet spot when it comes to incoming transfers. The pool that comprises grad transfers and very few undergrads puts Notre Dame at a competitive disadvantage -- and not just in football.
Bob (Oxnard, CA): Do you think Xavier Watts can become as effective as safety as Ajani Sanders or Gerome Sapp? Thanks -- great show.
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob, you name dropper you. For Xavier Watts to continue his ascent, his coverage skills need to take a jump this season. Against the run, he's elite. And I can give you a better assessment of just where that stands after Tuesday night's media-open practice in which I expect to see 11-on-11 competitive practice periods.
Joe H Williams from Bay, Wis.: Hi Eric Thanks for all your insights and the great work you do all year round I was wondering what you think of our defensive line and do you think we will be able to get enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks to be an effective defensive and also any thoughts on improving our red zone defense that was atrocious last year.
Eric Hansen: Joe, thank you. The defensive line surprised me in the spring. They needed to continue to do that during camp, and so far they haven't taken a step back. That's a long way from being good enough in the big games. I need to see more before I commit to an unretractable point of view, but here's why I am open to the front seven continuing to surprise. ... 1) Having the same scheme two years in a row has the players playing more confidently and faster. 2) Having elite cornerbacks that allow for more blitzing. 3) DC Al Golden getting more of his best athletes on the field in niche packages even if they're not ready to be every-down contributors. 4) Jordan Botelho. ... Retooling the red zone defensive philosophy and being more successful with ball disruptions (everywhere, not just red zone) should help that problem. And it was atrocious last year, especially for a team that was 21st overall in total defense.
Brian from Atlanta: What is your projection for wins and losses? My hope is 11- 1, but 10-2 or 9-3 feels more likely. If all the pieces fall into place, 11 - 1. Hope springs eternal. regards, Brian
Eric Hansen: Hi Brian. My preference is to make my final prediction after training camp ends and we get into Navy week. My progress report at the moment is 10-2, subject to change.
Colin from Dublin: Excited to see ND play live in a few weeks Eric. Does this team have a realistic shot to win the Joe Moore award? Or will the run game disappoint.
Eric Hansen: Hi Colin. I would not favor them to win it, and yet at this point I wouldn't rule it out. I mentioned earlier, I watched O-line coach Joe Rudolph and the linemen for almost the entire media window on Tuesday. I liked what I saw from the coaching and the practicing. I liked how technique-driven Rudolph's coaching is. I like that Blake Fisher was doing some coaching. I like how physicality is being emphasized on every rep. I'm confident in how well the tackles and the center will play. I'm high on Billy Schrauth. But teams will find the weakest link and attack that. I need more time and date to assess that part of the equation. How's that for hedging. If you want me to project, I think the talent is good enough to be a Joe Moore Award semifinalist/finalist.
Jeff from Phoenix: Good morning Eric! Sooo hot here, 31 days of 110+, some clothing might be better incinerated post-use rather than laundered, but TMI. Anywho… as far as punt and kick-off returns, do you see C Tyree as the best option on Aug 26? Given his high marks this fall camp and immersion in the offense, is this too big a risk to his primary role for him to do returns? Any chance that J Love could handle kick-offs? Finally, if I may, I’d like to give a shout-out to chatter Ced Walker from Saginaw for his closing tag line and loyalty to all things ND. Thanks-
Eric Hansen: Hi Jeff and I feel for you. Other than a few humid days, it's been great weather here. Chris Tyree is in the running for both jobs. The pool of candidates at kickoff return is much deeper and less refined yet than the punt returners. Given both Marcus Freeman's and Marty Biagi's philosophy of using your best players (within reason) on special teams, that won't likely factor in. It'll be a matter of whether he can beat out the others. Jeremiyah Love could handle kickoffs and may end up the guy there. I'm still predicting Tyree, with Devyn Ford and Love being my next choices. I like Jaden Greathouse at PR, but I think Tyree may have the edge there for now. Ced is great, but that last line is difficult to punctuate.
Matt (KC): It's been awhile but I am back at you with 5 quick questions. 1. Will ND's offense be explosive or methodical this year? 2. Is our depth at OL at the tackles solid? 3. If you were an opposing coach, what do you think they would say the one thing that worries them in preparing for ND this year is? 4. Do you think if Clemson, FSU, leave the ACC for the Big Ten (I have heard rumors) and the ACC crumbled, would ND will ultimately be forced into a conference for football or would the Big 12, Big Ten let them do the whole 5 conference games and full member in other sports? 5. Your favorite home cooked meal is?
Eric Hansen: Hi Matt, I'll give you five quick answers. 1) Both. 2) Yes, with Aamil Wagner and Tosh Baker, who could start for a lot of teams, but Joe Alt is the best tackle in college football and Blake Fisher is pushing toward being elite. 3) Sam Hartman. 4) Likely would have to join a conference full time, but not set in stone. 5) That I can cook? Italian stuffed shells. That someone else cooks in their home? What we have for Thanksgiving every year.
Bob Loganville, GA: Eric, Not sure if you have had enough time to assess but what position group, other than QB, is the thinnest on the roster. Safety, DL or a different group?
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. I'm sure you mean thinnest in terms of quality depth not necessarily raw numbers. At the start of training camp, I would have said interior defensive line. Now I would say safety. Not that I think safety has regressed, but I've seen some emerging players inside who I have confidence will rise to the occasion.
Chris in Albuquerque, N.M.: Hey Eric, just curious on your thoughts on the new UA deal. Is there any NIL additions to it? I myself have never had a comfortable pair of UA shoes, however the shirts etc have always been pretty good.
Eric Hansen: Chris, we've only seen reports on the deal and not the details beyond the money. The average fan is way more invested in it than I am, but the NIL is a great question worth asking once we get to a press conference. My reservation about UA is that with the last contract, there were promises about sports science benefits that never came to fruition.
Roger from Peoria: Eric: You are the best and I value your opinion and observations about Notre Dame football above all others. (Will that praise get my question answered? LOL!) Seriously, reports indicate Jeremiyah Love is FAST. Chris Tyree has been described as among the fastest Irish players since his arrival and Micah Bell is reportedly FAST! Which current Irish player can claim the title of the fastest? And how would that player's speed compare to The Rocket or Golden Tate? When Diggs entered and then exited the Transfer Portal to LSU, I was first disappointed but upon further reflection I estimate the Irish RB room will be just with Estime the leader. After Estime, who do you see emerging among Ford, Price, Payne and Love? Finally, does the Transfer Portal open again before the 2023 season begins? If it does, I would be surprised to see ND take any but not surprised if a current player entered it. And by the way I do mean my first sentence!!
Eric Hansen: Hey Roger. A former colleague of mine, Mike Vorel, used to allege people lathered up their questions with compliments to get to the top of the queue. Little did he know that as long as you include your name and hometown, that the question requires no math beyond what my two oldest grandkids can handle, and hasn't been asked to death (and answered) in previous chats, it's all good. But please keep the compliments coming! So when we're talking about speed, there's raw track speed and there's football speed and they don't always sync up. I think Micah Bell wins the track speed trophy (10.41 in the 100). I think if Jeremiyah Love ran in as many meets as Bell, he'd be close. Chris Tyree's best is 10.66, but that was in 2018, as a sophomore. His outdoor season in 2020 was erased by COVID. Tobias Merriweather was a state champ in the 200 (21.80) in Washington and on a bad hamstring. But how it all translates to the field, I'll go 1. Love, 2. Merriweather, 3. Tyree, 4. Bell. For now. Rocket still rules until further notice.
As far as Audric Estimé's backups/tag teammates, I think all four of them will see the field, but I think Jadarian Price will emerge as the next option. ... For underclassmen, the transfer portal doesn't open again until after the regular season ends. Grad transfers can still move, and all transfers already in the portal can still move. But I don't see Notre Dame adding this deep into camp.
Mike from Oklahoma: What player will offenses have to prepare against from the defensive line and edge as far as a threat goes? In other words - who strikes fear like a Foskey or Tuck?
Eric Hansen: I don't think anyone is going to strike fear the way the No. 1 and 2 career sack leaders did in 2023, but I do think ND can bring pressure in waves and from different spots, including the linebackers. I think Jordan Botelho will lead ND in sacks this year.
Ryan mars PA: Good afternoon Eric how has Michael carmody And Chris Terek looked so far in practice that you have seen go Irish🏈🏈☘️☘️
Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan. Michael Carmody was able to get his weight up from 280 to 291, is a good player and a dependable backup but not in the mix to start. Freshman Chris Terek and the other June-arriving freshmen have made good progress but the most advanced of that group is OT Charles Jagusah.
Patrick from Los Angeles: From your observation of practices thus far what have been the most pleasant surprises and unexpected encouraging signs? Thank you for all you do.
Eric Hansen: Hi Patrick, thank you. My expectations for certain players and positions may be different from yours, so the surprises may reflect that but I'll say Steve Angeli, the rotational pieces on the defensive line, the freshmen linebackers and walk-on safety Luke Talich ... and the leg strength of transfer kicker Spencer Shrader.
Dane from Michigan City, Ind.: Is it safe to say it's now or never for ND? I mean with the addition of Hartman and the athletic abilities across the board I don't see it getting better than this in coming years. I know Carr is "the cure" but how many times have we heard that before? Example Clausen, Buchner, Quinn. While all good in their own right, none were as prolific of a passer and surrounded by athletes as fast/strong as we have today. I'm 37 years old and tired of hearing the same thing but expecting championship results! What's that word again?
Eric Hansen: Hi Dane, I'm not going to quibble with your premise, I'll just answer your question. No, it's not now or never. HOWEVER, I do think it's important that Notre Dame takes advantage of having Sam Hartman on the roster. An 11-1 season and a playoff berth would go a long way toward building for the future.
Sean, Schaumburg IL: College summer baseball officiating season has ended. The Cubs smoking the Cards on the Northside and in St. Louis. Awesome. The Cubs, slowly, gaining traction in the NL Central. Go Cubs!Love baseball. Tough to focus on college football fast approaching. What have you gleaned from the practice(s)? you've watched? In order, my concerns are: QB/WR rapport, Front 7 D. Is there enough quality depth at WR and D line? The same issue remains-Can Notre Dame football beat the top teams? That 3rd and 15 blitz call by Golden in Columbus irks me to this day. I saw it happen in the 'Shoe. Pummeling a down Clemson was nice. But, losing to Marshall/Stanford takes the shine off the season. Buckeyes/Trojans in South Bend. Clemson roadie. Gotta win 2 of those 3, maybe all 3, to remain in CFP contention. Losing to Ohio State in September, I'll be there, will only maintain the view that Notre Dame can't defeat the Tier I teams(UGA, BAMA, OSU, LSU, Clem, et al) when it matters. What do you think MF has learned to win these games?
Eric Hansen: Hi Sean, you DO love baseball if following a team one game over .500 distracts you from the world's greatest sport. There's so much here in this barrage of questions, I'd be here until halftime of the NC State game answering them. Let me focus on your last question about what Marcus Freeman has learned. A ton. In his approach. In dealing with adversity, In heading off adversity. In when to delegate and when to take the wheel. In a much clearer vision for the program in all aspects and a much clearer methodology for moving that vision along.
J Buckley, San Diego: Quick question about the Safety's, heard Ben Minich was a track star as well 10.4 100, can you elaborate on the Safety room in general and Mr. Minich play, speed etc.. Your the best. Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Ben Minich's on-field speed is impressive and he's healthy after having his spring cut short with a thumb injury. I like his future. Not sure he's in a position to crack the rotation this year. Xavier Watts, DJ Brown, Ramon Henderson and transfer Antonio Carter II will likely be the rotation. Carter coming from FCS Rhode Island has great tools, but is moving from primarily CB to S and moving up a level. His next couple of weeks are going to be interesting to watch and critical to how he fits in with the other safeties.
John from Chattanooga: Hi Eric, a good friend of mine down the street is a big Ohio State fan, and he believes, of course, that the Buckeyes will lay waste to the Irish in South Bend this season. Inspired by his hubris, I entered into a friendly wager this him: one bottle of Blanton’s to the winner, and he owes me a second bottle if ND scores 21 points. I feel good about my chances. What do you think?
Eric Hansen: At this moment, I think you'll split bottles.
Eric Hansen: That's going to do it today. Thanks for all the great questions. Remember a full practice for the media next Tuesday night, so we'll be back to do this all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.
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