Chat Transcript: What is the biggest overreaction trigger in Notre Dame football preseason camps?

Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat … the “Indiana has turned into a Arizona” 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. I continue to believe this will be a great move for us and for our subscribers. I’m thrilled to tell you that the chats will continue under our new banner. We’ll settle into weekly mode and next week will move to the normal Wednesday at noon ET time slot for the rest of training camp and then throughout the football season.

► Our partnership with WSBT-TV, our YouTube content and my radio work with WSBT 960 will all continue. As far as Blue & Gold, 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. 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.

► 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. More details to come.

As far as this week’s chat …

PLEASE include your name and hometown along with you questions. If you don’t, you go to the back of the line.

Now, if that sounds harsh …

Here are the rules:

Eric Hansen: But every one of them has been rescinded today except for the “no spitting” rule.

OK enough blathering, off we go …

Stephen from New Orleans: Hey Eric, in your time on the ND beat, what is one thing that fans always overreact to in training camp reports?

Eric Hansen: Hi Stephen. And I should point out, if they do overreact, it’s not always their fault. Sometimes there’s way too much extrapolating without context. But the common thread for overreaction tends to be how the offense looks. There are stages in practice when the offense is put in really difficult positions to try to help it learn and grow. And that usually works well. But it’s not made-for-video beauty, It’s work that has to be done to get to where you want to be, not to impress practice observers.

Skip from Houston: What are your expectations for punt returns (both offense and defense) this year? Thanks.

Eric Hansen: Hi Skip. The guys who were fielding punts in Wednesday’s practice were Dallas Golden, Aneyas Williams, Gi’Bran Payne, KK Smith… and then Jaden Greathouse was hanging out with them without his helmet on. He was not participating in practice, and we were told the injury was not considered long-term. Out of that group, I’d say Williams, Greathouse and Golden have the best chance to emerge. If the season started today, it’d be Aneyas Williams for me. But Golden is really intriguing if he can earn the coaching staff’s trust.

Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: Hi Eric, Adon Shuler excelled last year, but in my view needs to improve in pass coverage from being OK to something even better. Do you expect much improvement in Adon’s coverage skills?

Eric Hansen: Hi Bob, Adon Shuler’s coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus, wasn’t bad, but there were some noticeable peaks and valleys, so consistency is key. He did improve light years from his limited role in 2023 to a starting role in 2024. I expect that evolution to continue. His speed is impressive and he’s rocked up. I’ve liked what I have seen so far in our limited practice windows.

Robb from Durango, Colo.: Eric!!!! Quite a few moving parts on the o-line right now. Lots of good choices at each position. Who lines up there on the first play in Miami?

Eric Hansen: Hi Robb … I mean Robb!!!!! I still expect it to be LT: Anthonie Knapp, LG Billy Schrauth, C Ashton Craig, RG Sullivan Absher, RT Aamil Wagner. The four guys that are pushing the hardest are Guerby Lambert, Will Black, Matty Augustine and Chris Terek. O-line coach Joe Rudolph told me yesterday during our group interview with him that “the competition is real.”

John from Sacramento, Calif.: 1st. Appreciate you and Tyler. Best wishes for your new endeavor. 2nd. Really optimistic about this group of young men & staff. Last. Does ND have the needed depth for the “O” line. Considering both pass blocking (agility) and run blocking (plowing). Knowing they lost 4. All starting at new homes. But none were starters at ND. But battled. Gotta love the “Nasty’s”. Again you’re much appreciated. Thanks.

Eric Hansen: Hi John, we appreciate YOU. The goal in camp was to be 10 deep, so theoretically two you could trust at every position with lots of cross-training going on. If you count Charles Jagusah as one of them, they probably are at 10. But he’s likely October at the earliest in his return — if that. So, there’s still a push to get to 10. I mentioned in the previous question the nine that have earned trust so far. And you are right about needing it.

Java65 from Raleigh, N.C.: QB discussion seems to be the big discussion but I have a different question regarding that.  How much does the new helmet mic help young QBs in a hostile environment early in their career?  Do you think crowd noise is mitigated to a degree because of the helmet mic?

Eric Hansen: Java, thanks for the question. I think it helps from the standpoint you know he’s getting the right play and not missing the signal. But remember the communication cuts off 15 seconds before the snap. So, you still have to communicate via signal if you’re changing the play late at the line of scrimmage. You also still have to communicate the play to your teammates and figure out how to execute the snap count effectively. So it helps in that environment but only to a point.

Tony (2581) from Lexington, Ky., by way of Somerset, Pa. (hometown of ND baseball coach Shawn Stiffler): Let’s talk special teams, Eric ! First, one of your colleagues reported earlier that Tyler Buchner was seen holding for kicks at practice. Is that still the case – i.e., do you expect him to be the regular holder for PATs and FGs? I, for one, hope so. Second, have you observed the kickers yet? Might Erik Schmidt challenge Noah Burnette for the starting position?

Eric Hansen: Hi Tony. Both Tyler Buchner and Anthony Rezac have been doing the holding for field goals and PATs in practice. I’m not sure if one or the other has an edge, but I’ll be sure to ask when special teams coordinator Marty Biagi comes up in the assistant coach interview rotation. Having QBs as the holder is interesting. … I watched the kickers a bit on day 1, and I did see Erik Schmidt. He was attempting field goals, as were Noah Burnette and Marcello Diomede. And he and James Rendell were punting. He’s a big, strong athletic kid. I’m not sure he’d challenge either Burnette or Rendell, but he looks like a good Plan B with a chance to grow into Plan A or maybe even kick off.

Keep in mind with kickers … someone asked about overreactions. Kickers can elicit that, because we see a very small sample size in practice. Also, Marty Biagi fixes swings. And so sometimes that process is ugly when it’s not at a finished stage. But I think Burnette is going to be pretty good.

Ryan from Frankfort, Ill.: Good afternoon Eric how has Elijah burress and Jerome Bettis Jr looked during Camp GO IRISH big fan of both of them Because of their Dads played for my Steelers team.

Eric Hansen: Ryan, you usually ask me about Chris Terek and for once, I have good intel on that. He’s ascending and playing very well, played himself into a key backup role so far and still pushing. He is working at center and guard. Now to your question for today … Elijah Burress looks fast and smooth. He’s got a shot to make the six-man rotation. Jerome Bettis Jr. is a longer-term project, but he’s physical and I could see him helping out on special teams.

Marie from Atlanta: Hey Eric, I hope you’re enjoying camp, and getting to see actual players as opposed to just hearsay. I’m sure it’s very exciting.  Can you give the top five positive surprises that you’ve seen so far in camp? On a scale of one to 10 how close do you think the quarterback race currently is? If for some reason, both Minchey  and Carr just could not get over the jitters at the Miami game do you see a scenario  where they would put Tyler Buchner in at the quarterback position, partially because he’s experienced but also he could give a different look with running? Finally, do you think we’ll see a lot of 20 personnel this season? Also, just to shake it up a bit do you think we might see some 22 personnel? As always, thanks for all the great insights and for hosting the chat.

Eric Hansen: Hi Marie, thanks for jumping on board and with some challenging questions, per usual. Thanks for not making me hand out grades! As far as surprises, there haven’t been a lot of them, positive or negative ones. Here are the five I discussed on Monday night’s Football Never Sleeps show:

1. Jordan Botelho, that he’s doing as much as he’s doing already.

2. Will Black at guard

3. Scrap Richardon making some plays

4. Guerby Lambert looking healthy

5.Erik Schmidt looks ready in case they need him at kicker and punter

I’d add freshman offensive lineman Matty Augustine getting into the two-deeps as another. The D-line is the position group we’ve seen the least from in terms of stuff you could evaluate. There may be some surprises lurking there. … As far as closeness of QB race with 1 being not close and 10 being tight, I’d say a 7. I still think CJ Carrwill prevail, but Kenny Minchey has a great air about him and has improved a lot since the spring. Unless both of them are abducted by aliens in pregame or get hurt in the game, I don’t see any scenario in which Tyler Buchner plays in that game as the No. 1 option. He has not yet won the No. 3 job.

And when you say experienced, the last pass he threw as a QB in a game was 2023 at Alabama. (He threw out of punt formation last season at ND). In a start against South Florida, Buchner went 5-of-14 for 34 yards and was demoted and never threw another pass in a game during his time there. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to have him back at ND and he’s a valuable guy to have around. But I think we’re overvaluing the four college starts he’s made. … As far as the two-back looks, if fans get to call plays, we’d see it every down. I do think we’ll see more of it than in the past, just not a steady diet of it. But I like what ND can do out of it on this team.

Tom F from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric, hope you are enjoying your new “teammates” and covering the Irish for another season. What does the portal TE bring to the TE room for this year? We know that QB and OL are two positions that do not lend themselves to rotating players, while DL is probably the group that benefits most from rotations. How would you judge rotating players at Safety and CB??? Would it be best in pairs or one at a time and keeping a starter on the field at all times. One quick note, I see the NFL has banned teams from providing smelling salts to their players. If that had been the case when I was a student trainer I would have been out of a job. They were the go to answer to “clear the cobwebs” when a player had his bell rung. With all of the research and information available and the concussion protocols now that makes sense. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. I am enjoying my new teammates and new “everything”. I hope you are enjoying it as well. The portal tight end is Ty Washington. Offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Denbrock stood on the table to have Marcus Freemanbring Washington in. He’s athletic and can fill an H-back role, split out wide or line up in the slot. I think Denbrock believes he can line up as a traditional tight end as well. He is a wild card at that position. I do want to see more of him.

I do see Notre Dame rotating at safety and cornerback both this year. They have the depth to do it that they didn’t have last year. It’s hardest to take Adon Shulerand Leonard Moore off the field, and I think they’ll get the most reps at safety and corner, respectively. But especially against a team like USC that throws so much, ND will benefit from the depth at both positions (and nickel) and you’ll see some of that depth in niche packages as well. … I don’t know a lot about smelling salts, but I do know the NFL banned teams from providing them over concern that they may mask concussions. Players can still provide their own.

Jonathan from Harrisburg, Pa.: Outside of RB, what position group are you most confident will play at an elite level this season? OL, LB, Secondary, another?

Eric Hansen: Hi Jonathan. Cornerback, safety, linebacker, offensive line. I have high hopes for the edge players as well. QBs, TEs, interior D-line and WRs are the ones with the most to prove, but lots of talent to eventually do so.

Matt from Austin: Hello Eric, good to be back. A couple of items. What are the three things you need to see from ND in the first two games to convince you that the Irish have a legitimate title shot? Do you have any insight on the timeframe for Jagusah”s return? Lastly, and most importantly, NY strip, ribeye, or filet? Yep, that was three, not two. My bad. Thank you for everything Eric. You are the best. Matt

Eric Hansen: Hi Matt. And thank you for the compliment today and for your email last week. I regret to say, I have not been able to keep pace with the volume in terms of volleying back, but it was much appreciated. … Three things that would encourage me (but not convince) would be … a strong pass rush, the ability to unload the box by an opposing defense. That means a strong passing game. And an improved rushing defense. … to your all-important trick question about meat. I wouldn’t turn down any of those options, but give me a ribeye any day of the week.

Bob from New Jersey: Hope you’re enjoying camp and your summer. No discussion of Logan Saldate. Understand everything you’ve seen in camp has been against air. Has he been passed by Burress? How does Freshman safety Logan ( former Vanderbilt baseball recruit) look. When he signed everyone was impressed with his athleticism. Compared to what’s in the room, does he have upper end relative athleticism or average because of how strong everyone else is?

Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. Logan Saldate is not competing directly with Elijah Burress per se. He’s playing slot receiver, and Burress is an outside receiver on the field side. Saldate has a tougher climb, because Jaden Greathouse and Will Pauling are ahead of him and Scrap Richardson is pushing from behind. So, I am not optimistic he’ll be in the rotation’s top six, but his prospects for next season are pretty good, especially if Greathouse comes out for the draft as a junior. Pauling will be gone. Burress has a clearer path to playing time and has done well.

I am enjoying camp, by the way. Brandon Logan at safety is another player caught in a numbers game, but really an impressive athlete. But let’s count the bodies ahead of him … 1. Adon Shuler, 2. Jalen Stroman, 3. Luke Talich, 4. Tae Johnson, 5. JaDon Blair at the very least. and likely Ethan Long too. I think long term his chances of moving up will be affected by how much he wants to put into baseball. And right now, that’s a big priority for him. That can change, as we saw withDrayk Bowen.

MikeD from Rochester, N.Y.: Good afternoon, Eric!!!!! I really enjoyed the article on Joe Rudolph and the O-line’s pursuit of the Joe Moore Award. It seems fitting that Joe Moore is memorialized with a prestigious national award like that and the man who had the audacity to fire him is memorialized with Dump Davie stickers. Karma, baby!!!

My question: Have you had time to study Miami’s front seven on defense and if so how do they match up against ND’s O-line? This O-line looks to be something special even with Jagusah out for 6-8(?) weeks. Since it’s almost always hot and humid in Miami in August, do you think they’ll do any substitutions on the O-line throughout the game to prevent players from getting gassed? I know you and Bob Morton have talked a lot about “5 guys getting comfortable working as a unit and then sticking with those 5 guys” but if the offense is on the field a lot for the first three quarters, you don’t want them worn out in the 4th quarter.  I hope Bob isn’t looking over your shoulder, he’d probably want to reach through the computer and smack the back of my head and say “Pay attention! They’re a unit and you don’t mess with the chemistry of the unit!”

Eric Hansen: Mike D!!! … I’m paging Bob Morton. No, unless someone was cramping, Notre Dame has been preparing in that kind of weather and they lean into sports science, and I think it would be a mistake. I have started to study Miami’s defense finally, because I had to vote in both the AP preseason poll, which comes out Monday and the AP preseason All-America team, which comes out the following Monday, Aug. 18. I think they’re formidable and that’s why I am predicting a lower scoring game for a matchup between the No.1 scoring offense in 2024 and the No. 10 scoring unit.

Ced Walker from Saginaw Michigan aka sagnasty Saginaw: When will Notre Dame on3  have the  full depth chart  on its website  very impress how the team been practicing glad to see Dallas golden getting reps as  #2 corner back getting work at punt return   do u think Marcus Freeman will name the starter quarterback by August 18  me personally I see minchey and carr both playing at Miami   team will be doing a lot 2 set backs with love and price on the field at the same time God Bless This Football team here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen: Hi Ced. Thanks for following us over to On3 and Blue & Gold. Your question actually sparked a discussion we had in a group text and we’re going to move forward with your idea and figure out how to format it in the new site. So, thanks for the assist/idea on that. … I DO think we will know the starting quarterback on or before Aug. 18.

Jack from Strongsville, Ohio: Hi Eric. I found you! During a typical pre season practice schedule how many times will the #1 offense go up against the # 1 defense? Is it only during scrimmages or every day? Thanks as always for your great work and on your new site.

Eric Hansen: Jack, do you lose us? … I will double check on this for this particular camp, but Marcus Freeman likes 1s vs. 1s during 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s during camp. So yes, very regularly, but I’ll get you more specifics for next chat. And thank you for sounding like my agents … you’re awesome (and hired if you work for free).

Jacob from Huntington Beach: Who was the one recruit that you thought would have a big impact at ND but never really panned out? And who is someone that was under your radar but had an impactful and successful ND career?

Eric Hansen: Hi Jacob. Darnell Ewell, a defensive lineman from Norfolk, Va. He was in the same class as Kurt Hinish and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, who were much better and more lightly regarded in recruiting circles. And I think you’re asking me in the second part, who I overlooked, not who I went all in on as an underrated recruit. So there’s a couple who fooled me, and one of them is on this team with a chance to be really good this year and that’s Jason Onye. I  think we all underestimated Anthonie Knapp. And of players past C.J. Prosise, as a safety, comes to mind. If you were looking for who I was right about, Xavier Watts is the one I’m most proud of in that department.

Jim from Wheaton, Ill.: Eric, these chats are the glue that helps ND fans keep it together, especially during the offseason. Thank you!!! Interested in your perspective on a debate I’ve had with another ND fan- if the QB battle remains incredibly close, should the coaching staff pick the one they think has the higher ceiling this season and stick with him even through game one struggles (even risking a loss because of it), or should they change the QB during that game if the offense is struggling against Miami, to try and avoid a week one loss? Pros and cons to each, but I welcome your thoughts. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen: Jim, thanks for the flattery. It works!! Jim, wow, what a great question and not just because you hit me with the compliments. Let me preface my answer with this. I trust THESE coaches that through 14 spring practices and a good chunk of training camp, they’ll do the vetting as to who’s No. 1. The clear No. 1. And so, I think to give that QB a short leash in Miami would be the wrong move for that QB — and for the team. Now let’s plug back into the specific dynamics of your questions.

I think this actually played out last year. Steve Angeli was the guy with the higher floor but Mike Denbrock, Marcus Freeman and Gino Guidugli believed Riley Leonard could get them to a title game, and they were right. And there were bumps in the road, including a loss to Northern Illinois. And that is what I think they should do again. Who’s going to get you to a title game and can they do it without playing you out of the playoff picture?

Pat from Philadelphia: Thanks for the time. Would appreciate your quick thoughts on some sophomores who don’t get a lot of ink due to their place on the depth chart: Bennie-Powell, Jones, Kahoun, Mullins, Prescod and Rezac…1) Barring injuries, are any of them in a position to contribute this year, even on special teams; 2) Do you think any will push in the spring for PT going into their junior years (I know this involves a lot of depth chart speculation on when guys in front may leave for the pros/transfers and who is coming behind them, but maybe broad trajectories just based on how their talent has developed so far)

Eric Hansen: Hi Pat, thanks for the question, and it’s a tough one. Let me start by saying, all but Teddy Rezacand Peter Jones had their 2024 seasons affected by injuries with Bodie Kahounable to contribute some late in the year on special teams. Rezac also saw some special teams duty. They’re all playing a numbers game in 2025 beyond special teams. Styles Prescod has the clearest path to playing time as he battles to be in that top 10 group of O-line. He’s on the cusp. Jones LOOKS the part. But he’s got a lot of interior linemen ahead of him, including true freshmen. In another era, Kahoun would be playing. But now, linebacker is loaded, and how much three-linebacker looks ND shows this year is likely going to be less than 50 percent. Taebron Bennie-Powellprobably has the steepest climb, now and moving forward to future seasons. Defensive lineman Cole Mullins has bounced between inside and outside. Maybe inside down the road is the better path. So let’s look at special teams, Rezac? Yes, Kahoun? Yes, TBP maybe. Prescod and Jones maybe on FG protection. Mullins probably not on STs. Do I see a future starter at any point in the future? Not likely, I’d give Kahoun the best odds, followed by Prescod from that group.

Lorne from Reno, Nev.: Love the expanded coverage of your new combined entity, and thank you for continuing the chats. It seems that every year we hear in the preseason about more play-action and more two-back sets. If there was ever a time for it, it was last year with a running QB, great RB’s and receivers who had difficulty creating space, but the numbers were still low.  I don’t know if you see enough in practice (especially this early) to get a feel for it, or if the coaches have indicated this will be an increased emphasis, but do you get any sense that this year we’ll actually use these tools to take advantage of having arguably the best running team in the country? Is there a reason they haven’t been used more? I can’t help but get the feeling that this is again something we hear about in the summer but don’t see in the fall.

Eric Hansen: Hi Lorne, again if fans were calling plays, this would be a staple. And I’m not against it, but what do you hope to accomplish with those formations? Ideally, you create personnel mismatches and perhaps some confusion on the defense’s part. You can run misdirection, but remember only one of them can carry the ball at a time. And what are you willing to give up to run two-back, a wide receiver or a tight end? And how does the defense respond? There’s a reason very few teams feature two backs in this era of spread offenses. But I agree it can be an effective complement to the offense, especially as Jeremiyah Lovehones his receiving skills. Thanks for the feedback on our new/expanded coverage team. I am absolutely loving it too.

Jeremy From Goshen, Ind.: Do you have a timeline for when a QB is announced as the starter for Miami?

Eric Hansen: Hi Jeremy. I do not, and not sure Marcus Freeman has one. He’s intentionally not given himself a deadline. But I do think Aug. 17/18 is the latest I would expect it to happen.

Doug from Sunny Florida: Eric, over the past few months I’ve viewed hundreds of Jeremiyah Love highlights from 2024 on various social media accounts and they never get old.  He is a specimen!  Three highlights stick out in my mind and I’d like to know your overall ranking of the three and why based on importance in that specific game, importance to the season, importance to the team regarding his leadership and anything else that you may deem necessary to distinguish one’s greater value to the other two. 1) tied 13-13 at Texas A&M late in the game, JLove breaks several tackles for a 21 yard go-ahead touchdown. 2) In the first ever playoff game on a school campus, JLove breaks a 0-0 tie and outruns the IU secondary for a 98 yard touchdown. 3) While playing injured in the 4th quarter against Penn State tied at 10-10, JLove pinballs his way off several defenders for a 2 yard touchdown, stretching the ball over the goal line to take the lead.

Eric Hansen: Doug, this is way harder than the NY strip, ribeye, filet question. And part of it is, if you don’t have the Texas A&M play happen, does Love even have the chance to make the other two plays? If I take that context/contingency away, then I have the winner. It’s the two-yard run against Penn State. If you watch it in slow motion, there’s no way Jeremiyah Lovegets into the end zone … until he does. Never seen anything like that in my more than four decades covering college football. The 98-yard run vs. IU would be No. 2. And for pure causation factor, the A&M run wins, because of what it meant to getting ND to the playoff. But Penn State, my goodness.

Jay from Granger: Eric-longtime follower. Appreciate all you do for Notre Dame football coverage. Of the current starters on the roster, how many have 1st round or 2nd round potential in the 2026 NFL draft, assuming they are healthy and productive this season? Additionally, how do CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey project at the next level?

Eric Hansen: Jay, thank you. And I feel like I’d be shortchanging that question by doing it off the top of my head. In a two-part Q-&-A I did with ESPN analyst Greg McElroy earlier in camp, he noted how many more future NFL players this team has than the 2012 team that played Alabama in the title game. So, let me put this in story form before the season and get a strong NFL Draft analyst on the record. Great story idea. Thank you, Jay.

Bo Johnson: From Michiana. Does the practice count of 20 times include up to the day of the 1st game? Just wondering if ND will have a chance to get extra reps in because of the Sunday game.

Eric Hansen: Hi Bo, I believe the count is 25 practices in the month before the season opener. So the start date of camp and the 25-practice window is determined by the date of the opener, so it wouldn’t lead to a 26th practice, if I understood the question correctly.

Robert from Sartell, Minn.: Eric, hope you are loving ON3.  You deserve the best after all of these years of top-notch writing and coverage. Question: Do you think Ian Book’s presence will help our QBs mature and perform at a high level?  What do you think he brings to the room?
Eric Hansen: I am loving it, and hopefully you are too. Thank you. Here’s what CJ Carr recently had to say about Ian Book coming back to Notre Dame to work out and mentor the QBs:

“Ian’s been great. He’s been in here. I listened to a podcast with him a few weeks ago. And he said Free [Marcus Freeman] told him to just come in here and try and mentor us the best he can, which is, I think, exactly what he did. He came in and he threw with us every once in a while. He’s in there lifting, getting his work in. But then he was also available for us to ask questions about the Eagles offense, Kansas City, how Patrick Mahomes does his stuff. So, it was a really cool insight. And just the different stops he’s made along his journey and being able to learn from his experiences while he was at Notre Dame, I think has been a big pro and hopefully he’s continuing to stay around here.”

Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric!!!!!!!!!! Injuries to both lines really hurt in the National Championship game last year. Give us your take on both lines from a depth and upside standpoint  across all positions. Then compare the O line to last year and to the Joe Moore winning year.  Compare the D line to last year and to the 2012 D line. Thanks for hosting and sharing your insights.

Eric Hansen: Len!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great opening . I like the depth on both lines. Certainly there’s numbers.  I think the biggest question is about whether the depth on the interior D-line is quality depth. We should know the answer to that before the middle of September if not before. So for people who don’t have the recall you do Len, the 2017 starting O-line was Mike McGlinchey, Quenton Nelson, Sam Mustipher, Alex Bars, Tommy Kraemer. And Robert Hainsey and Kraemer were kind of a tag team. Impossible to beat the left side. But I’d take Wagner over Kraemer and a healthy Jagusah over Bars. Craig and Mustipher are a good battle. I’d give it to 2017 with Q Nelson putting them over the top, but close. 2012 D-line, you’re comparing 3-4 vs. 4-3. This one is way, way deeper. So I’m going to go with 2025.

Patrick from Los Angeles: In your opinion, do you think Marcus Freeman will stay at Notre Dame for a significant period of time or will he be successfully pursued by the NFL. The hope is he will stay for years as he is the best match to the university maybe ever. Thank you for hosting the chats.

Eric Hansen: Things can always change, but that would be my projection, that he is here for a long time.

Bill from St. Joe, Mich.: Hi Eric!!! Do you sense that ND will be better defending the run this year without sacrificing how well they are at pass efficiency defense…in other words how good do you expect our DTs and that rotation to be?Does your reference to Arizona have to do with the heat we’ve been experiencing in Michiana? And best of luck on you and Tyler’s new address!

Eric Hansen: Hi Bill, we’re into lightning-round territory, because I’m out of time and bumping up another assignment. I do like the top of the rotation. I wish I could see them scrimmage in pads. I do think new defensive coordinator Chris Ash will be more determined to improve the run defense. Yes, the Arizona reference was the heat (but we’ve been way more humid). And thanks for the kind words.

Dan: Is Vernon ready to contribute?

Eric Hansen: No.

Bob Rodes from Manchester, Tenn.: Hi Eric. Just a quick one. Carr or Minchey, and why? If you’ve already answered it, I’ll read it later. Thanks for all your insights, and for taking time to share them.

Eric Hansen: Carr. still.

Mike from Phoenix: Eric, Hope you are enjoying your summer. I haven’t heard anything regarding Jason Oyne. How does he look? IMO, the WR group will be this year’s surprise similar to last years OL. Lots of ND fans seem over confident about beating Miami but starting a QB without experience isn’t what you want to do. What do you say about Game 1? Cheers Go Irish!

Eric Hansen: Hi Mike, speaking of Arizona weather. Jason Onye looked great in the spring, best I’ve seen of him. There’s been very little meat on the bone this preseason in terms of meaningful data when it comes to D-line. Just very, very basic drills when we’ve been in practice. I am anticipating him playing well. I do think the WRs will be a pleasant surprise. I am not phased by the lack of experience at QB as long as there’s talent. If experience were the trump card, Steve Angeli would be starting Aug. 31 in Miami. Keep in mind, since 2009, first-year starting quarterbacks have won more than half of the 16 title games played.

Dave from Toms River, N.J.: Is Loghan Thomas a year away for serious playing time?

Eric Hansen: Prolonged playing time with lots of reps, yes. Niche playing time and making real contributions, that’ll happen in bursts and spurts this year.

Tom from Toronto: Have you noticed how hard it is to get good help? Like a lot of your and Tyler’s followers, I hope that the changes in the new set up are working out well for both of you. Change is difficult, and often more so when it’s not initially our choice. A quick question about Steve Angeli. Did you ever get the chance to speak with him once he entered the transfer portal, and if so, did he give you any indication whether he was encouraged to leave ND? Nothing really turns on it now. I am just being nosy. As usual, I enjoy your and Tyler’s work and look forward to all of your articles. Thank you.

Eric Hansen: Hi Tom and thanks, and I love the new digs, new teammates and love the choice I had. … As far as Steve  Angeli, no one asked him to leave.

Eric Hansen: OK, that’s got to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. Sorry about the 2-minute drill style at the end. We’ll be back next Wednesday at noon fET or another round of chat.