Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, the Post-QB1 Decision Edition. Some quick programming notes: ► On July 1, Tyler James and I made the move to the On3 network and blueandgold.com and joined some amazing teammates. It’s proven to be a great move for us and, I believe, for our subscribers as […]
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, the Post-QB1 Decision Edition.
Some quick programming notes:
► On July 1, Tyler James and I made the move to the On3 network and blueandgold.com and joined some amazing teammates. It’s proven to be a great move for us and, I believe, for our subscribers as well. I encourage you to take a test drive — a seven-day trial for a $1 for all our great content and that around the expanded On3 Network.
► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, what are you doing with your life? Seriously, the show keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation, so you can catch up now or later on our YouTube channel. This week, you even get to see me waffle on my QB1 pick. We’ll be back next week, Monday at 7 p.m. ET, for another presentation of Football Never Sleeps with Tyler James co-hosting with me. And check out some great shows on the Blue & Gold YouTube channel as well. That includes Tuesday night’s Notre Dame Football Show with Mike Singer, me and the newest member of the Blue & Gold team, former Irish wide receiver Robby Toma.
► The Inside ND Sports Podcast has been rebranded as the Third & Gold Podcast. Going forward the pod will be available on all the podcast places you found us before as well as our YouTube Channel. Our first episode of the new pod drops Thursday will special guest Tony Rice, quarterback of the 1988 national championship Notre Dame Football team.
► Finally at WSBT Sports Radio 960, we’re rolling through a newsy Notre Dame preseason. My new radio partner is Sean Stires, and we’ll be together every Friday on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. You can download all episodes as podcasts. I’ll also be part of the pregame shows with Tim Grauel and Jim Irizarry. The new expanded show kicks off with 3 ½ hours of news, analysis and special guests on Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. EDT.
As far as this week’s chat …
PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question(s). Otherwise, you go to the back of the line, and it’s a very full queue today.
Here are the traditional rules as well:
Eric Hansen: But I am being nice today. Only violating the no spitting rule will be enforced.
OK, enough prattling on… let’s chat.
Matt from Austin, Texas: Hi Eric. Appreciate you greatly. I know Carr getting the nod at Quarterback will generate all of the headlines. I am curious as to your thoughts on how his selection will affect the way the ND staff will coach the games, especially against Miami on the road. Do you anticipate a more run heavy, short pass game plan with reliance on a strong defense? Also, has the staff been able to do anything to prepare the team, especially the OL and DL, for the heat and humidity in Miami and do you think it could impact the outcome of the game? Thank you Eric!
Eric Hansen: Hey Matt. I appreciate you. Whoever was going to be QB1, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock was going to lean into that QB’s strengths. And both he and CJ Carr will get a better feel for what he’s comfortable with in each passing week. I mentioned some of this in my intel piece yesterday afternoon and will share a little bit of that here … and add to it to best answer your question. Remember, ND is facing a first-time defensive coordinator for Miami (Corey Hetherman), where in-game adjustments BEFORE halftime are going to be critical. Layer that over what’s anticipated to be a very loud crowd and difficult communications.
So, I could see the game plan evolving and maybe looking quite different from half 1 to half 2. A big reason Carr won the job was the ability to quickly process defenses at the line of scrimmage and post-snap as well. For me, it makes the most sense early to spread Miami out defensively and let CJ read his options. Will that mean more pass than run or vice versa? Depends on how Miami responds, and ND will be looking for mismatches.
I think Denbrock will simplify the calls coming but give Carr options to keep the defense guessing. … As far as the heat, up until yesterday it’s been extremely hot and humid here in South Bend … maybe not Miami oppressive, but pretty muggy and miserable. They had the same challenge last year in College Station, Texas, and leaned into sports science and it worked well.
Jonathan from Addison, Teas: Eric!!! Thanks for the QB news and insight! How bout the same for RG, WLB, NG, and S? Even starting DE has some question marks, no?
Eric Hansen: Hi Jonathan. Right guard is a battle between Sullivan Absher and Guerby Lambert, and I think it’s a dead heat right now. Both really strong options. I usually don’t say this, but I think there might be rotation at that spot in this game of some kind. Eventually, I think Lambert overtakes Sullivan, who is really valuable and can play anywhere on the line. WLB is Jaylen Sneed, but it’s a four-man rotation among those four inside spots, so all four will play a lot — Sneed, Drayk Bowen, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Jaiden Ausberry. Nose guard? Donovan Hinish, with Jared Dawson rotating on a lot. Behind them, I’d say Sean Sevillano Jr.Jason Onye and Gabe Rubio are the top two DTs and have the flexibility to play either inside spot. Safety, I think because of the emphasis on being a great communicator and experience, Jalen Stroman starts next to Adon Shuler, but there will be plenty of Luke Talich and Tae Johnson in a deep rotation.
At defensive end, I think Boubacar Traore and Josh Burnham will start, with lots of Bryce Young and Junior Tuihalamaka mixed in. Loghan Thomas should see some spot duty, maybe even an early return for Jordan Botelho. We’ll see about that one, but he’s way ahead of his timeline on that torn pec recovery.
Fred from Richmond, Va.: It’s been a long time since I’ve submitted a question so hear it goes. After watching tape on Carr from high school I absolutely love the way he moves in the pocket. Do you see the running game opening up the passing like we have not seen in years. We have several exciting receivers’ who can really help opening up this offense into a high scoring machine. How do you see Coach Denbrock’s approach offensively. As always thank you for your informative platform.
Eric Hansen: Hi Fred, well what took you so long??? 
Marie from Atlanta: Hey Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. It’s hard to believe the Miami game is just over a week away. I know you have picked Notre Dame to beat Miami, now that camp is over, are you more or less confident in that pick than you were at the start of camp? On a scale of one to 10, 10 being very likely and one not at all, what are the chances we see Minchey in the Miami game? Finally, besides inexperienced quarterback, what is your number one worry for the Miami game? Thanks so much for taking the time to host the chat this week, we all know how busy you are, especially with the news of the QB 1 breaking yesterday.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. Very busy and very fun week this week. Loving every minute of it. … Probably the same level of confidence. What I am less confident about is how low scoring of a game I picked it to be. But I am going to not waffle: Notre Dame 24, Miami 17. … On your scale of Kenny Minchey getting into the Miami game at all. I’d say 9. On your scale whether that would be in a high-leverage situation? I’d say 6. If I’m Miami, it would be foolish not to prepare for that possibility. Mike Denbrock is a flow-of-the-game kind of guy, so I don’t think he’d commit to that come hell or high water, but I do think it’s in the holster.
Probably the No. 1 concern would be ND’s pass rush. I expect it to be good. But new coordinator, new pieces on the D-line, experienced Miami QB and a very good Hurricanes O-line. Thanks for your challenging questions, per usual, and only minimal math for me to screw up!
Manny from San Pedro, Calif.: Eric!!!!!!!! I know there will be plenty Carr questions and shirts with Irish Carr Bombs when CJ completes 30 yard TDs. I know you’re a press guy who loves a reporter taco bar. But if you went to a tailgate … what are the three must-haves food-wise ?!?!?
Eric Hansen: Manny!!!!!!!!!! Are you asking me because you’re volunteering to make these for me and hang out? I NEVER get to tailgate, but I walk by some good ones. I’d try to keep it simple and not something I’d have an overwhelming chance of splattering on my shirt. So, I’d go with beer brats, jalapeno poppers and wings. … the spicier the better.
Jeremy from Goshen, Ind.: HI Eric, Is it safe to say that CJ Carr as the higher ceiling but Minchey might have the higher floor as of today?
Eric Hansen: Hi Jeremy. I don’t think it’s quite that cut-and-dried. The concise version is: CJ Carr came in with a perceived high ceiling and for a young guy a high floor as well. Kenny MInchey came in very unknown with both, particularly after missing so much time with an injury his high school senior season. What changed over the spring and the summer was the unknowns with Minchey. His surge was real. The flaws in his game shrank dramatically. The assets were more apparent. His demeanor, a quiet confidence, became his trump card. So ND went from having one QB with a high floor and a lot of promise, to two of them. Which one is the best option may always be Carr, and it could flip flip at some point. And they thrive on that competition. They don’t run from it.
Paddy from Chicago: Keep up the good work Eric!!! (1) What’s Coach Denbrock’s history of utilizing backup QBs situationally (if any)? (2) What is the status of Ty Washington’s injury, and how does he rate as a pass-catcher and as a blocker? (3) Are you a fan of Chicago’s Malort (perhaps aptly monikered, the Champagne of Pain)? Keep on keepin’ on…………….
Eric Hansen: Thanks Paddy!!!! Keep those multiple exclamation points coming!! 1) He’s not a fan of that concept, but he is open-minded enough to consider it. So, while he doesn’t have a history of doing so, if he thought it was something that would mess with Miami or be a good long-term staple, you’ll see it. 2) Bothered with a minor wrist injury. The prognosis is positive. We’ll get an update next Tuesday. Marcus Freeman usually talks to us on Mondays, but everything is pushed back a day next week because the game itself is on Sunday. 3) I have never had Malort, but I am a fan of trying one with you sometime if you’re ever in town on a non-game day. Thanks.
Kevin-Sleepy Eye, MN: Eric:):):):) So now we have our QB. What do you expect 3rd and short or 4th and short? Will Denbrock run CJ? I’m excited to see what we do.
Eric Hansen: Hi Kevin 
Andy (NWI_Irish96) from Munster, Ind.: Based on your AP vote, it looks like you disagree with my assessment that Penn State is going to miss Warren and Carter enough to not be a Top 5 team. Also, what do you think about my belief that Navy is the best G5 team?
Eric Hansen: Hi Andy. You may be right about Penn State, and that’s the beauty of voting every week. We are not tethered to a preseason vote in which there’s no data to base anything on. But I thought Penn State returned some really key pieces, and I think they’ll be pretty good. Not necessarily a likeable team as far as ND fans go, but a very good one. I considered Navy for my preseason top 25, but beyond ND, they’re schedule is so light, it was too hard to put them in it. Perhaps they can earn their way in, but it’ll be tough without beating ND or coming close. And that game isn’t until November. But I like them a lot. I saw The Athletic, in their ranking of all 136 FBS teams, had Navy one spot ahead of USC.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: Eric, Do you expect Ty Washington to be able to play @ Miami despite his somewhat injured wrist? Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Will know more Tuesday. It didn’t sound serious.
Scott from Greenville, S.C.: ERIC!!!! I hope you are doing well enjoying hump day! Although I suspect you don’t get one since you work seven days a week. I’m sure you’re going to get a ton of QB questions and editorials so I won’t pile on. I’m actually more interested in the oline. Very exciting to see Lambert getting a shot but what happens when Jagusah returns? Rudolph has been great putting the lines together the past couple years and he goes with the best five. Far be it from me to 2nd guess Rudolph, but thats what fans do, would Lambert be a better fit at left tackle and move Knapp to guard? I just see a player with good lateral movement, powerful upper and lower body, and I mean come on, he can slam dunk a basketball. I need a cherry picker. I trust your thoughts….and, I definitely trust Joe’s oline decisions. Oh yeah, I hope CJ stays healthy and Kenny hungry! Be safe Eric!
Eric Hansen: SCOTT!!!! Five-star use of the shift key and punctuation. You are right. The concept of Hump Day is foreign to me. The rhythm of my life is very different, but one I love and that the people around me at least pretend to tolerate. You are right about O-line coach Joe Rudolph picking the best five. So, it kind of makes your question more difficult to answer. Is a healthy Jagusah in that 1-5 range. I would say yes. He might be No. 1. when he gets his rhythm back. So then who exits the starting lineup. Right now it would be Sullivan Absher or Guerby Lambert. Would that still be the answer in October? Billy Schrauth and Aamil Wagner aren’t going anywhere. And center might be the one spot that would be hard to play Charles Jagusah into. So that leaves Anthonie Knapp or Lambert/Absher. Knapp has really improved and is the only freshman in Notre Dame history (in 2024) to start more than eight games at left tackle. So I think he stays put. Now could Lambert be a future tackle and Knapp be an interior player in 2026 and beyond? That’s possible. But I don’t see that transpiring, if not injury-driven, in 2025.
Jack from Strongsville, Ohio: Hi Eric. Hope your week is going great. Different eras and different sports but since you have covered both what are some of the common characteristics of Bob Knight and Marcus Freeman? Thanks as always for your great work.
Eric Hansen: Jack, my head just exploded. Thanks for the compliment and for the question, but you really picked two guys I’ve covered who are about as different as any two that I have come across. That’s not an indictment of either, but it’s hard to come up with even a few parallels, except both have a recipe for success they very much believe in.
Tom from Lansing, Mich.: Miami on the road at night in humid South Florida. Given recent disasters down there why was this game scheduled? I could see a neutral site, but this seems like a defeat waiting to happen. Especially with the security issues that have happened there, why??
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. Notre Dame was contractually obligated, as they are to play the other teams that were members of the ACC when they joined the ACC in most sports other than football and hockey. In fact, ND is pushing to play Miami more often than the required games. I understand your security concerns after 2017, but I have confidence in the ND leadership that they’ve addressed that with Miami. The part about a defeat waiting to happen? ND is favored, right? I don’t understand. This isn’t Indiana University and the Curt Cignetti school of scheduling cupcakes. It’s Notre Dame.
Samuel from Woodbridge, Va.: If Notre Dame starts the season 0-2 (God forbid) what are their chances of still making the playoffs? I assume they would have to win out, but would that be enough? Go Irish!
Eric Hansen: Hi Samuel. These questions are very tough to answer in a vacuum. I do think there will be two-loss teams in the CFP field. There were six of them last year and a three-loss Clemson. Some of those were automatic bids. Generically speaking, I think it would be less likely that ND would make the field at 10-2, because there aren’t a lot of redemption opportunities on the schedule in November IF all the teams are as good or bad as expected — which, of course, never happens. The difficult part about losing those two games is ND might be competing against those two teams for an at-large spot, and it would be hard not to weigh heavily the head-to-head outcome. So not impossible, but a steep climb.
Charlie from Palm Desert, Calif.: We sometimes forget Minchey was 3rd string behind Angeli last year. Did he get a lot better in the offseason or is he the same guy—with Carr being just an ounce or so better?
Eric Hansen: Hi Charlie. If you are a Blue & Gold subscriber, I’d encourage you to read: Intel: Inside the QB1 decision at Notre Dame and where CJ Carr and the Irish go from here
I lay out all the dynamics in that story. The abbreviated chat version is Kenny MInchey improved in leaps and bounds. CJ Carr also improved and was better in a very critical area when it came down to splitting hairs. So, in a quarterback duel, it was the best-case scenario you could hope for.
Denny from Bullard, Texas: Eric, How many points do you think we need to beat the Canes? Do you agree that a bye week be for the Aggies game turns out to be very well placed this year?
Eric Hansen: Hi Denny, since I picked ND to win 24-17, the answer would be 18 points, but I am not as confident in the total points as I am in the winner, and even then it’s not all chips in the middle of the table. I think not putting a bye week there and having ND play A&M with one less day of prep and travel involved coming back from Miami and depletive game conditions to recover from would have been really foolish.
Mike K from Costa Mesa, Calif.: Can you please give us insight about how CAM WILLIAMS & SEVEALLANO are doing in fall camp . Thanks for all your CHATS !
Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. Cam Williams has improved significantly over last season, but not likely enough to crack in the six-man rotation in August/September. Don’t write him off. There’s talent and a motor and the ability to improve. Sean Sevillano is really difficult to move and had amazing quickness for a 340-pound nose guard. He likely will get some reps as the No. 3 nose guard.
Denny from Beaverton Ore.: Hi Eric and Great to be back with you. My question regards scheduling. Out here Oregon opens up at home with Montana State. Notre Dame opens on the road with a high quality opponent this year just as they did last year. Personally I like the way Notre Dame is doing this and I realize these schedules are made several years ahead. If you were scheduling would you prefer the Oregon or ND model? Why? By the way, I know the Easter Bunny did not leave you a hot water heater in your Easter basket last Easter but I trust you have worked around that problem. Enjoyed FNS Monday night. Too bad you guys were a day early regarding the QB question.
Eric Hansen: Hi Denny and great to have you back. Granted the schedules are made up years in advance, but I’m not sure Montana State is ever going to be a monster opener for an FBS team. Now on the FCS level, different story. For me it would depend on what type of team I had, how mature, if there was a first-time quarterback. In the age of a 12-team playoff, I’m OK with an opener like at Miami. In the four-team era, maybe that’s a risk that might not be worth taking. Not as the opener, but Montana State first, then at Miami. I do have an amazing new hot water heater. The old one had a six-year warranty and lasted 25 years! So, I bought the same brand. … Yeah we had record live views on FNS Monday night and might still set a record for overall views, but the timing of the QB1 announcement slowed the momentum. It’s all good.
Kevin from Calgary: Hey, Eric glad to join another chat! The 2025 season is almost upon us. While the QB competition had us fans gnashing our teeth, a lot of the chatter outside that competition has been about how many ways the Irish are going to utilize Jeremiah Love’s talents in multiple ways. Heck, I hear he may even be kicking field goals (just kidding). As good as I expect Love to be this year, is it possible some of the hype is being used to take some of the attention away from what looks like a pretty good receiving corps. Is there a chance we see more of an aerial attack against Miami than expected? As always, thanks for the chats!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Kevin. I don’t think it’s a choreographed ploy, if that’s what you’re asking. And the irony is I think one of the reasons ND’s passing game will be much better than last year’s is because Love will be part of that too. But yes, I did expect ND to be better in terms of passing yards per game and pass efficiency, both.
Sean from Schaumburg, Ill.: Hello, Mr. Hansen. This first game has me nervous, with Carr as QB1. Miami are terrible fans. The bricks thrown at the buses in 2017. I’m not holding my breath on the ACC to protect ND as they arrive. You’ve said it’ll be a tight game. I go back to the first series in 2017 where Wimbush, nearly, completed a TD pass to…Eq St. Brown or Claypool. Would a similar play in the first two plays of the first series be advantageous for the offense, as a whole, to set the precedent that, despite having a new QB, the offense will push the ball down the field when the opportunity presents itself or scheme a play early on to get the defense, at the very least, thinking they can go over the top of us? Also, Carr’s best friend is handing the ball off to our stud RBs and letting our O-line grind it out early. I’m a believer that jitters exist. Carr is gonna have them. How does MF/MD manage that? Who on the O-line can he lean on to quell those jitters? The first month is gonna be tough. Go Irish!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Sean. I hope you can enjoy the game despite the angst that might come with it. Let me answer the easy part of your questions. Aamil Wagner and Billy Schrauth are captains for a reason. So, among O-linemen those guys will be leaders. But there are others too. CJ Carr has been dealing with pressure his whole life. You think it’s easy living up to that last name? You think having a little brother die in childhood from a brain tumor doesn’t test your mettle? You think surviving a challenge from Steve Angeli in the spring and Kenny Minchey in August doesn’t make you stronger? Infallible, unflappable? No. But it matters in the big picture of who CJ Carr is and who he can become. Play selection is not about vetting anything. The Irish offense practices against the best secondary in the country every day. They’ve vetted. It’s about finding mismatches and exploiting them, whatever that looks like, and making in-game adjustments against a first-year defensive coordinator making his Miami debut. I appreciate you, Sean.
Damon from Nashville: Eric, thank you for all of your great coverage and continuing these chats. It is probably too early for a game prediction, but, if you looked into your “Cristobal,” do you predict more interceptions from a QB making his first collegiate start, or a seasoned veteran with a surgically repaired elbow throwing into Notre Dame’s “no fly” zone? Also, which QB has the better passing efficiency in this first game? On defense, I think Coach Ash was noncommittal in February about whether he will coach from the sideline or the booth. Any update on his planned location during the game? And, one more question, does ND defense improve its running efficiency in 2025 despite losing some great defensive tackles. Thank you!
Eric Hansen: Damon, there’s a lot of good stuff to unpack there. And loved the pun. Keep ’em coming. So much in this game hinges on ND’s pass rush. I will say Carson Beck will end up having the better pass efficiency in this game, but that might be mitigated by sacks and stalled drives. I don’t think CJ Carr throwing an interception or not is the bottom-line stat. It’s how he recovers from it if he does throw one (or more). On defense, I do expect ND to take a step forward in run defense from their No. 49 ranking last season. I think they have the personnel to do it and I think Chris Ash will emphasize it. Not saying they’ll be dominant in that area, as they are in pass defense, but I do think they’ll be better.
Pete from Erie, Pa.: Hey Eric! Thank you for the chat! and your unique efforts to engage with the fans and keep us informed! Sad about TE Kevin Bauman. I believe he was the last COVID waiver? Happy about CJ Carr! (would’ve been just as happy about Kenny Minchey) Does CJ have to win a NC to surpass Austin in ND lore? One more question for ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! … Is Purdue a trap game? Since last Senior Day, barnstorming ND has crisscrossed the USA from Yankee Stadium to the LA Coliseum, back home for the 1st ever expanded playoff game, on to the Superdome for the Sugar Bowl, then Hard Rock for the Orange Bowl and finally Mercedes-Benz for the CFP Final. Only @USC was unranked and that was a helluva game. Now they’re going back to Hard Rock vs #10 before returning home for another likely ranked TAMU. Thank Ara for the early bye! Not until Purdue do they get a “break” to be immediately followed by possibly 4-0 (if they win @Mississippi) ranked Razorbacks in Fayetteville and then #25 Boise. Yeah, there’s the offseason gap and the early bye but that’s still a lot of fever. Do you know if there’s any truth to the rumor that Arkansas chose a 12:00 pm start time because they’ve NEVER LOST a Noon kickoff at home? I guess that’s 2 more questions, sorry!
Eric Hansen: HI Pete! Jordan Botelho is the only other remaining COVID exemption that ND recruited out of high school who’s still on the roster. Noah Burnette, who transferred from North Carolina, is also one. … Purdue a trap game? For Purdue, yes. … The rumor is false. REALLY false. Arkansas doesn’t get to pick the kick time. TV does. And no, they are not undefeated in such games. They played two noon ET games just last season at home and got drilled in both by a combined score of 98-45. They even lost their only noon ET road game in 2024, so no, no no LOL. Thanks for your questions.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!! I recently watched your account of CJ Carr after the Blue Gold game. That account was echoed by Jack Soble’s article reviewing CJ’s plusses and minuses after he was named starter. Jack and you both mentioned the pass to Baumann I lauded in last week’s chat. If Kenny M was ahead of CJ I always felt CJ’s upside was higher, and CJ’s performance would pass Kenny’s during this season. But would it be soon enough to give the Irish the best chance to navigate the early season. Also let’s not miss that you, Tyler James and Jack Soble had the right choice from the end of spring and that proved to be echoed by the coaches. Kenny will be an ultra valuable back-up. If CJ stays healthy, Kenny can get his degree and. transfer, like Steve A did, or he could be the Vinny Tesdaverde to Bernie Kosar, where Kosar won the starting position and the Natty for Miami and Vinny followed as starter when Bernie left and won the Heisman. My best wishes for successful careers to both CJ and Kenny.
Eric Hansen: Thanks for your kind words and multiple exclamation points, Len!!!!!
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric! As the ND talent level improves will there still be open competition for every position every season? Will some positions be excluded or modified from that future competition? Coach MF has stressed that competition fosters the best version of that player. As an example suppose that Billy S, Aamil W, Anthonie K & Ashton C all return for next season. Let’s also suppose that Guerby L, Charles J, Matty A and Will B all have higher ceilings. Will there be an open competition? Could the incumbents be replaced as starters? Or will incumbents that are very talented get the easier path to starting? Alternately should ND recruit the equivalent of Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams, sophomore Wideouts that are pre season AA that were top of the sport last season as freshman, could these new WR recruits pass an upper classman that is currently a starter or firmly in the top 6 wr’s?
Eric Hansen: It’s always about competing and earning your spot. So no matter what scenario you throw out there, that’s how it works at Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame.
Matt from Kansas City: Fast Five: 1. Can our DL can consistently get pressure rushing only four? 2. What kind of game do you see developing with Miami game 1? 3. Who are 2-3 players who have the biggest chance to really rise up draft boards with a strong season? 4. Is CJ Carr really that immobile? He is no Riley Leonard or as quick as Minchey, but he isn’t a statue in highlights. 5. Aneyas Williams (big fan) was such a spark last season, how do you see him used this season (returns?) and in future after Love and Price graduate, can he become an RB1? Go Irish, Beat Canes!
Eric Hansen: Hi Matt. Let’s see how fast my brain is and if my fingers can sync up with that. 1. Million dollar question. My sense is yes, but you will still see blitzes. Have a story coming on that tomorrow. 2. Low-scoring, chess match, physical war of attrition. 3) That aren’t there already? Will Pauling, Malachi Fields, Christian Gray, Billy Schrauth, Eli Raridon off the top of my head and I’m sure I’m forgetting someone. 4) No. he’s not a statue. 5) Maybe returns, but I think Jordan Faison or Pauling on punts … he’ll be a strong RB rotational guy, especially if ND plays more two-back which I think they will. He can become RB 1, but man, Kedren Young, Nolan James Jr. in 2026 plus some exciting incoming freshmen. Great competition.
Ryan from Frankfort, Ill.: Good afternoon Eric how has Eli Raridon and the other Tight ends looked during Camp also i like all the captain selections GO IRISH
Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan. Mike Denbrock raved about Eli Raridon after Sunday’s scrimmage. I also like the captain selections.
Jon C from Bellaire, Ohio: Where do you foresee opposing teams looking to take advantage of Irish ‘weaknesses’. Outside of inexperience at the quarterback position – what could be viewed as a potential area of exploitation?
Eric Hansen: Jon, I appreciate you playing along with me on the name/hometown thing. Last season it was the lack of a consistent passing game, an inexperienced offensive line and less than elite run defense. One of those is gone — the O-line is now really good. Or should be. The passing game. I think, will be pretty good in time, if not out of the chute. The run defense, as I mentioned, will improve, but how much? I think teams will try to test ND’s quarterback and hope that on defense the pass rush is tepid. Not a lot to pick on.
Lorne from RenoL As always, thanks for the chats. Congrats to Steve Angeli, who I will be cheering for in all of his games. Check that, to quote LOTR: “All save one.” Sorry for more of a gripe than a question, but we have a few students get caught letting tutors write papers and we lose the season, but Michigan not only illegally steal signs (giving them a competitive advantage), they destroy evidence of the crime and don’t lose any wins? The NCAA has no credibility. While I’m whining, watching Sonia tear up the WNBA makes me even more disappointed by the (relative) failure of WBB last year. Okay, one quick question: the lack of mention of Cam Williams in your discussion of receivers makes me think he once again hasn’t delivered (yet) on his promise; do you still think he will “arrive” eventually?
Eric Hansen: Hi Lorne, since we’re close to 3 and I have a hard out at 3, I’ll just go to your question. The bar has been raised in the WR room. So even an improving Cam Williams has pretty stiff competition to get into the rotation. I am optimistic he’ll continue to improve over the season and be in the mix for playing time in 2025.
Bill from St Joe, Mich.: Hi Eric!!! What is your over/under for the number of illegal procedure penalties called on ND? Mine is 2 1/2, and I hope they do not come in critical situations.
Eric Hansen: Bill, you lively minx. I hadn’t thought of that. I will go under. Mike Denbrock has been in these situations plenty of times and this O-line has played in them too.
Patrick from Boston: Hi Eric. Thanks for doing these, they are always entertaining. I’m sure that this isn’t an excuse that the coaching staff would ever want to hear but with ND’s secondary looking like one of the best in the country, could that have contributed to some of the turnovers/lack of separation in the QB competition?
Eric Hansen: Hi Patrick. They helped create turnovers ON PURPOSE. The coaching staff chose chaos over coddling to help determine who the best choice for QB1 would be. What they found is they have two who passed that test, but CJ Carr was the better of two very good options.
MikeD from Rochester N.Y.: Hi, Eric, another excellent FNS from the Hansen & James duo!!!! With Kevin Baumann sadly done and Ty Washington a bit on the light side as a TE, would they consider cross-training one of the backup OLs as a bulldozing blocking TE for short yardage situations? I’m thinking maybe Absher or Lambert or Black, who all seem to have excellent mobility for such big men!
Eric Hansen: I asked that question to Mike Denbrock on Sunday, and they hadn’t done that yet. If Washington’s wrist injury persists longer than expected, he sounded open to it, and I’d nominate Will Black for that role. You could also eventually flip Preston Zinter if you are looking for more of an H-back.
Franz from Niles, Mich.: Why is the massive Rubio exclusively played three tech and Hinish who is smaller and much more athletic exclusively playing the nose where he would face more double teams. I always wondered why those two never switched or at least crosstrained more. Howard Cross was a smaller nose so maybe I’m missing something schematically although they seem to be recruiting more traditional noseguard body types for that position currently . Maybe it’s something to do with height as a shorter player can get underneath a double team and hold their ground better? I enjoyed the article by J Soble on Hinish and why he is so hard to block , but it still doesn’t explain to me why he doesn’t play more three tech.
Eric Hansen: Franz, I feel like I’ve answered this several times in chats over the offseason, but it was probably submitted by someone else. Since I am short for time and would like to answer, could you just email me. I can’t do this one quickly.
Tom F from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hey Eric, glad we can stop talking about who the QB1 is going to be and concentrate on beating Miami!!! It sounds as though the coaches feel very confident in 4 Safeties: Shuler, Stroman, Talich and Johnson ( i hope I have the right ones). I am presuming that they will want to keep either Shuler or Stroman on the field at all times to have an experienced voice back there. Your take on this?? Also, MF constantly talks about the importance of communication on defense. From what you have been able to hear, who communicates better among the young guys, Talich or Johnson??? Thanks for getting us thru the offseason and now on to a great 2025 season!! Go Irish!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom, thanks. But wait, you think the QB1 talk is over???? I think your read is good on Shuler/Stroman. Talich knows the defense better, even though it’s a new scheme. Remember Tae was playing cornerback last year, but man is he fun to watch. It’s a first-world problem getting them all out there.
John from Scottsdale, Ariz.: How did the media get the quarterback competition so wrong? Everything for the last week was Minchey is ahead. Do you think it was the coaches picking the higher ceiling player with respect to week 13 (playoff opener)? Could it be the media did not see most of the competition and the competition for eye balls and clicks lead to unfounded conclusions? Could it be this was always Carr’s job to lose and Minchey did enough to pull even but not ahead? Or slightly ahead but not enough? I’m interested in your take on this since the most shocking part of the announcement wasn’t that Carr won the competition but how wrong the media was in their perceptions.
Eric Hansen: John, this is a question I wish I had more time for, but let me cut to the chase. When you say “media,” I can only speak for myself. I don’t monitor what everyone else writes or says, nor do I want to start doing that. I do think in general, there are people who over-extrapolate everything. What I try to do is give context with my observations. That doesn’t always make me right. I feel I have very very good sources, but I don’t go to them every five minutes. I go when I really need them. I feel they helped me a great deal in this QB stuff, even though I flaked and finally predicted Kenny Minchey on Monday night. I did not report it would be Minchey. And that’s an important distinction.
The info I received last week is that if the race ended that day, Minchey would win it. But the source was very adamant, it had gone back and forth, and said CJ Carr very much could win it. In my intel piece yesterday, I laid out how the decision was made. And it makes sense, if you’re just watching a practice and don’t know the intent of what the coaches are trying to see and what the deciding factor is, how it would be reasonable to guess Minchey was ahead. But to REPORT it was a done deal, then you’d have some explaining to do. Again, I don’t know what all is out there, but hopefully this helps you decode it.
Eric Hansen: OK, that’s going to have to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We’ll be back next Wednesday to do it all again.
Category: General Sports
