Blue & Gold senior writer Eric Hansen answers questions from Irish football fans from across the country — and beyond. Among the topics beyond potential QB growing pains were whether the closeness of the QB race is a good or bad omen, rating the O-linemen, players who have exceeded expectations in camp, positional depth concerns, and more.
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat on a day when the Irish QB competition feels like a dead heat.
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’ve settled into weekly mode and the regular Wednesday at noon ET time slot for the rest of preseason practice 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 your question(s). Exclamation points are optional but appreciated!
Here are … or rather WERE the rules:
Eric Hansen: Only the “no spitting” and “no fighting” rules are in play today.
Off we go …
Aaron from Washington, D.C.: Hi Eric, thanks for today’s chat as always. Last week you mentioned QB, WR, and TE as offensive position groups that need to mature the most. How significant do you expect the growing pains to be with a first-time starting quarterback? Related, how do you expect the quarterback position to fare in such a challenging set of games to start the season? They don’t have the luxury of warming up to being the starter. On defense, I noted only a couple times where Chris Ash coached against Navy. Navy will likely be even better this year than last with a returning QB so do you expect Ash to be prepared for a challenging Navy offense that he has rarely gone up against and doesn’t offer much room for error? I appreciate it.
Eric Hansen: Hi Aaron. Thanks for bringing you ‘A’ game with the questions today. Let’s start with the quarterback question. In my practice intel piece I posted this morning, I addressed the evolution of the QB race as well as the evolution of the offense as a whole. My take on that is sometimes the lack of separation is because you are deciding between the lesser of two evils. In this one, I think it’s been quite the opposite. Kenny Minchey surged, and it’s made both QBs better options than when they started fall camp. Also, the coaches choosing chaos over coddling in practices have helped those two grow.
I’m expecting whoever the starter is — Minchey or CJ Carr — to perform well at Miami against a very good defense in a lower-scoring game. Not perfect. Not the version of them we’ll see in October, but good enough, with everything around them, for Notre Dame to start 1-0 … As far as Chris Ash prepping for Navy, Marcus Freeman and the rest of the ND staff have faced the Mids. They have film of what Navy OC Drew Cronic likes to do and they also have Al Golden as a resource. That won’t make it easy, but those are some valuable assets to have in Navy prep.
Matt from Austin, Texas: Hello Eric. I hope this finds you well. I am curious as to whether you have seen anything specific this summer out of Carr or Minchey that, in your mind, would lead you to believe which one will start. If Carr gets the nod, do you see the coaches putting packages to utilize Minchey as a change of pace? Secondly, and this may be repetitive to other questions in the chat, please update our tight end status after the recent sad injury/retirement. Thank you Eric.
Eric Hansen: Thanks, Matt. In total disclosure, it’s more what sources have seen and shared than what I have witnessed that has me believing this is going to be a photo finish. You do glean things from practice, but we’ve seen so little meaningful periods, it’s very out of context. I learned a lot from their interviews this month, and Kenny Minchey impressed me with his demeanor. CJ Carr always has, but here’s an air, a confidence about MInchey that seems to be building and that wasn’t there before … at least not to this extent.
I do think using both is on the table and should be. But that doesn’t mean it stays there. Not co-quarterbacks, but maybe a package or situational role for the No. 2. QB. And in the name of making the team better, not keeping someone from thinking about the portal in the postseason. … As far as the tight ends, Eli Raridon remains the starter, and now transfer Ty Washington and freshman James Flanigan need to stay healthy and keep developing, as they have been. Redshirt freshman Jack Larsen is the fourth option. Cooper Flanagan (Achilles) is expected back at some point this season.
Eric from Defiance, Ohio: Big fan of you and Tyler joining the staff, the coverage and articles have been phenomenal! As a former offensive lineman I have a soft spot for that position. Any rumblings on how they’ve looked in this camp? Thank you!
Eric Hansen: Eric, thanks for the compliments and if I need a bodyguard, I know who I’m calling now. … I like how the starters have looked in drills. We haven’t seen them scrimmage, but O-line coach Joe Rudolph does design the drills where you can get a sense of how people are developing. What’s really encouraging is how the backups are coming along .. guys like freshmen Will Black and Matty Augusine, and also Guerby Lambert and Chris Terek.
Manny from San Pedro: Eric!!!!! It’s the summer. Heat is still here, but I can feel the fall brisk air in my veins. Injuries in camp are normal, but my heart can’t take it!! What position group could we most afford an injury and not miss a beat and what group would be crippling against this early season schedule?
Eric Hansen: Manny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m not sure if I’d use the word “crippling.” Marcus Freeman and his staff have done a great job of building depth. And raising the roster limit (which means more scholarship players) helps. I am going to answer this in a very generic way, because losing a cornerback might not hurt, but losing Leonard Moore specifically would. Sp, generically 1. Tight end, 2. Quarterback, 3. Interior defensive line.
Tony from Lake Mary, Fla.: Hey Eric! First time asking since switching with you to Blue and Gold. It is harder for me to be reminded for these chats with the extra content. Maybe a calendar reminder is needed. However, no offense, if I set a calendar reminder for this and miss all the other things my wife tells me I do, then I’ll be in trouble. Anyway. I am curious if you have had discussions regarding how the Week 1 blind date nature of the game is more severe in the new transfer portal era, how the staffs prepare for this, and if there is an advantage for either ND or Miami in this facet of the game?
Eric Hansen: Hi Tony. If you need to be pinched to remember, I’ve now got eight grandkids, six of whom are pretty severe pinchers (the twins are still developing that skill set). If you follow me on social media, I can nag you there. Just remember it’s every Wednesday at noon ET from this point forward. … To your question, what gives a game more of a blind date feel than transfer players are new coordinators. Then-defensive coordinator Al Golden talked about that challenge when they faced Navy to start the 2023 season in Ireland. They practiced basic concepts and rules and then adjusted in-game to specifics. And regard to specific transfer players, at least there’s usually good film on them to study to get some concept of strengths and weaknesses. Both Miami and ND gave new defensive coordinators, so I think it’ll be pretty even in that regard.
Jack from Strongsville, Ohio: Hi Eric. Hot and humid here in your hometown. Of the 5 metrics that you often talk about that very good teams excel,which do you think will be Notre Dame’s strength this year and which may be an area which could hurt them? As always you’re the best on the beat!
Eric Hansen: Hi Jack, it’s been hot and humid here too, which I suppose it good that Notre Dame has been practicing in it and will be ready for Aug. 31 in south Florida. So the five key metrics and ND’s 2024 ranking were: Rush offense 19th, Pass Efficiency 49th, Run Defense 49th, Total Defense 11th and Turnover Margin 5th. I would expect ND to be better in the first four. I think their strength will be total defense followed by rush offense. If they’re not better in pass efficiency (and it may be a gradual thing), that will hurt them. I still think they’d be a playoff team with the 2024 numbers, but to make a deep run, improving those two 49 rankings would make that a lot more probable. How Chris Ash addressed run defense is going to be key and intriguing. Thanks for the compliments and being from such a great area!
Marie from Atlanta: Hey Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. Love the Behind the Ballot concept, great read, and I look forward to reading it throughout the season. It seems like the quarterback race may be closer than was predicted.Do you think this is a good or bad? Has your confidence level that Carr will win the job dropped at all? Do you think there’s any chance that Freeman would just wait until game day or very close to game dayto publicly announce the starter is? Which two players on offensive and defense can the team least afford to lose this season? A little off-topic what is the best stadium besides ND stadium that you’ve ever watched a college football game? What one or two stadiums are on your bucket list? As always, thanks for hosting the chat and all the great insights.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. LOVING this preseason. So much fun to cover. I owe you a message back and will get to that soon. … Easier questions for me this week. I think in this QB race, the closeness of it has made both players better. … I do not have as much confidence in CJ Carr winning the job as I did even a week ago, but I’ll stick with that prediction. Kenny Minchey winning it would not be a surprise, though, at this point. .. .I do not think Marcus Freeman will wait until game day to announce the starter.
Jeremiyah Love and Leonard Moore are ND’s two best players and losing either would be tough. But given the replacements, I’d throw TE Eli Raridon in that conversation because of TE depth and he is the clear No. 1. On defense, I’m going to say Boubacar Traore, with Jordan Botelho still out. … Best Stadium besides ND that I’ve watched a game at … I am taking Ohio Stadium out of the running, just because I grew up going there. I’ll give you two … Oklahoma and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
As far as bucket list, maybe because I’m kind of shaped like a bucket, I don’t do that. But if I did, it would consist of Lambeau Field (and that’s coming up) and Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa (which is a little further into the future, 2030, but I plan to be there.) Thanks for the feedback on the Behind The Ballot column. I’m looking forward to doing that on a weekly basis.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: Hi Eric. When you look back over the years and think about preseason predictions from you (or the ND beat) that turned out to be significantly incorrect, is there any relatively common denominator (e.g., perhaps over-valuing talent versus proven production, under-valuing coaching continuity, over-estimating QB play etc)? Thx.
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. I can only speak for myself in part because I could never remember someone else’s predictions. It’s hard enough to remember my own, especially when I’m wrong. I don’t think there is a common thread. I underestimated the 2012 team and would probably do it again knowing all the adversity that team faced in the offseason. I did not see the depths of 2007 or 2016 coming. And those happened for very different reasons. The lame way for me to explain it … my crystal ball was in the shop?
James from Placitas, N.M.: Eric, I was curious if you could explain how you came about your top 25 college football pool voting. I’m sure it’s not something you were always given the honor of doing and I just wondered if you could tell us the backstory of why you are still painstaking about it And about your selections.
Eric Hansen: Hi James. Let me give you a couple of story links if you’d like more depth, or else I’d spend the rest of the chat explaining. But I will try to give you a concise version. Here are the links:
Behind The Ballot: Inside the numbers that helped shape an AP Top 25 projection
Unraveling the mysteries (or compounding them) of the AP Top 25 CFB poll voting process
Now to your answer … The preseason poll process is very different than the weekly one. To me, the weekly ones aren’t predictive, but rather a snapshot. And I take into account not just what happened in a given week, but for the entire season. For instance, let’s say Ohio State beats No. 1 Texas, but eight weeks later, Texas is a .500 team and the Buckeyes haven’t beaten anyone else of note. I would take that into account at that point. You can’t watch all the games, but you can look at the stats and stories from those games to get context on the scores.
Ced walker from Saginaw Michigan aka sagnasty saginaw pride: we know Mike Denbrock will call plays from the sideline where will Chris ash call the defensive plays from sideline or press box 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. Chris Ash was open to doing either, and I believe he’ll likely end up on the sideline, but we have a chance to talk to him Sunday, so I will make sure to ask that question and share the answer.
Chuck from THE LAND: Just returned from my 2 day preseason visit to MECCA –inspiring and spiritual. Still looking for that ERIC HANSEN statue … not finished yet? Much deserving. Only 2 things: 1) A few discussions on Campus reflected support for Minchey over Carr. How do you see it? Unless Carr is markedly better in accuracy, will Minchey versatility win out? 2) My 3 most hated teams are 1- Penn State ( drubbed last year) 2- Miami 3- USC ( drubbed regularly). To complete my Triple Crown, are you strong on your BGI prediction? Name 2 standouts from the game. Thanks, Eric, looking forward to reading you & Tyler in BGI!
Eric Hansen: Hi Chuck. Thanks for the hype! But didn’t you promise me a Donato’s Pizza??? Glad you had a good time. As far as the Eric Hansen statue, I’ve been known to move like one on my late-night walks., so … 1) I am sticking with CJ Carr, because that was my original prediction and I think it’s still going back and forth, but I believe if the race ended yesterday it would have been Kenny Minchey by a nose. 2) OK here comes the brain fog, I’m missing the connection between the teams you can’t stand and any of my predictions, so I’m going to have to punt that answer, 3) Two standouts from the Miami game, well the cheat code answer is Jeremiyah Love and Leonard Moore, but I’ll make it interesting and say Malachi Fields and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa.
Matt from DC: Hi Eric, can you identify any players who have made bigger jumps during camp than you anticipated? Similarly, are there any non-injured players who haven’t made the type of progress you hoped to see? Finally: do you get the impression either of the qbs have started to separate themselves? Thanks!
Eric Hansen: Matt, great question, but let me preface, what my expectations were and someone else’s including yours could be very different. For instance I went out on a limb on Cam Williams and so he might be a surprise for others. And Tae Johnson was my spring football crush, so I expected big things from him. Having now covered by butt … here are the offensive players … Kenny Minchey, Matty Augustine, Chris Terek, Nolan James Jr., Scrap Richardson.
On defense … maybe JaDon Blair. There haven’t been many surprises for me on that side of the ball. I expected them to be elite. I can’t think of anyone on either side where I’d really say they stalled and didn’t develop like I thought they would.
Jeremy From Goshen, Ind.: Hello Eric, Thank you for doing these chats. How are we feeling about the placekicker position this year? I have not heard much. A poor kicking game can be the difference maker in tight games.
Eric Hansen: Hi Jeremy, and thank you! This is about the time of year they start to round into form in terms of accuracy. STs coach Marty Biagi spends a lot of time with them refining or even redoing their swings. What I like about both transfer Noah Burnette and freshman Erik Schmidt that you can already see is great leg strength from both. Schmidt made a 55-yarder in high school. I haven’t seen him try one from that distance, but he’s looked great from the 40s in practice in terms of distance with room to spare. We’ve got a practice viewing on Friday and Biagi among the interviews, so we’ll get an update then. I think the kickers will also be in for interviews that day.
Mike from Rockville, Md.: Hi, Eric! Thank you for these chats!! What have you seen of the receivers so far in camp? Any standouts and/or surprises? Also, do you know if any of the QBs met with any of the receivers over the summer (pre-camp)?
Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. The QBs and receivers meeting all summer is pretty standard at Notre Dame and elsewhere. … But as we’ve been highlighting in our coverage at blueandgold.com. I would say this receiving corps for 2025 is a noticeable step up from last season, with Malachi Fields, Jaden Greathouse, Will Pauling and Jordan Faison being the top four. And don’t sell RB Jeremiyah Love short in impacting the passing game.
Doug from Sunny Florida: Eric, I haven’t heard much at all regarding Devonta Smith. What have you heard regarding his skills and ability to lock down opponents as the nickel back?
Eric Hansen: Hi Doug. He might have been on the back burner attention-wise, because he’s just so remarkably consistent. He was expected to be that, and so far he fits that profile. The good news is the surge behind him for some key depth at that position with Karson Hobbs and Ben Minich coming on.
Tom from Toronto: Hi Eric, I enjoyed your article this morning regarding the still undecided decision regarding a starting QB. Is there any chance that both Minchey and Carr could share the job and if that happened, what do you see as the negative(s) of doing so? If it happened, it might really drive the oppositions’ DCs crazy. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. Thanks for the kudos. I do think sharing it as in No. 2 having a niche/situational role is possible. I do not think co-QBs is on the table, nor do I think that’s a good idea.
Jason from Kalamazoo, Mich.: You ROCK, Eric. My question is: What happened to Micah Gilbert in his development? He seemed to create a splash on arrival but has been pretty quiet since.
Eric Hansen: Hi Jason. You rock too, and thanks. Micah Gilbert got hurt in the spring, or else you would have heard more from him then. Then in June, Malachi Fields stepped on campus. The Virginia transfer plays the same position (boundary) as Gilbert. So it’s been Malachi, Malachi, Malachi ever since (that’s for the Brady Bunch lovers/tolerators). But I expect Gilbert to be part of a six-man wide receiver core rotation with a chance to compete to be a starter in 2026.
Andy from Fairfax Va.: Hi Eric, always loved reading your chat transcripts. Please predict which players will lead in sacks and interceptions and why that player in this defense. Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Andy, thanks for reading the transcripts and volunteering today to be part of the next one, with your question. Off the top of my head, I’ll go with Boubacar Traore for the sacks, because he is elite and now healthy. Interceptions is a harder prediction, because I think teams will avoid throwing Leonard Moore’s way as much as possible. I think the safety rotation will be too deep for one of them to have the most. So I am going to go out on a limb and say Christian Gray, because I think he’ll get tested and I think he’ll respond well to that.
Kevin from Sleepy Eye, Minn.: Eric!!!!! Pretend you’re Denbrock teaching OC-101 to a classroom of future OC’s. Topic: First quarter of an opening game on the road with new QB vs Miami. How much will you pass the ball? Will you let your young QB through deep or just short underneath passes??
Eric Hansen: Kevin!!!! The variables here are: Which quarterback is the starter and what’s Miami’s approach on defense. Are they loading the box or not? How I would teach the class beyond those factors, is what the defense is giving you is going to determine a lot of that answer. Also, are you non-verbal communications with a first-time starter good enough, strong enough that you can play chess at the line of scrimmage and change plays. But Mike Denbrock will not be AFRAID to have his QBs throw deep.
Swandong from Atwood, Indiana: Who do you think will start at safety next to Adon? My guess is Tae or Stroman as Talich’s game is more comparable to what Adon brings. I think Talich would be Adons #2
Eric Hansen: I had earlier predicted Jalen Stroman, and in practices we’ve seen as much Luke Talich with Shuler as we have Stroman. I don’t think Tae Johnson will start, but will play a lot and will be in some sub packages as well. I am going to switch that pick to Talich, but again, I think four safeties will play a lot. Deep, strong rotation with some interesting freshmen behind them.
Ron from Dover, Del.: Hi Eric hope your summer besides being busy you had some fun. I am been busy, so I’ve been following from afar. Looking at the depth projections at LB it seems the the ND is committed to playing only two LB which surprises me because KVA’s talent. Am I missing something reading the tea leaves. !!!!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Ron, you are missing something reading the team leaves. I’ll link this story in case you have more than explain it, hopefully in an abbreviated, clear form here:
Notebook: Can freshman Madden Faraimo eventually crack the Notre Dame LB rotation?
Notre Dame is committed to playing a four-man rotation of Drayk Bowen, Jaylen Sneed, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Jaiden Ausberry. Last year the Irish played five, and freshman Madden Faraimo is working hard to push it back to five this year. More often than not, ND will have only two linebackers, because they play a lot of nickel. BUT they will play a base three-linebacker look against certain teams, and I would expect to see a third linebacker on the field at times as a pass rusher lined up as a defensive end — KVA or Sneed most likely. I hope that helps your tea leaves.
Ryan from Frankfort, Ill.: Good afternoon Eric what do you Think About Donavan Hinish i saw the other day he lined up with the number one Defense Also when will the captains me named im thinking Love Greathouse Shuler and Bowen will be Named the captains GO IRISH
Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan. You have been a long-time proponent of Donovan Hinish, and that has proven to show you strong football acumen. He is definitely a big part of that interior D-line rotation and will play a lot, along with Jared Dawson, Gabe Rubio and Jason Onye. He is having a very good camp. … And your captain candidates are strong too. Thanks for jumping into the chat today.
Kevin from Calgary: Eric, hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and are ready for another (hopefully successful) season for the Irish! I’m sure I’m not alone among ND fans concerned that no one has emerged yet as the number one QB. Is Carr just not standing out, or has Minchey just shone so much the staff can’t pick between the two? And Will the delay in declaring the starter mean whoever is under center when they play Miami won’t be able to utilize the full playbook and have to rely on the run game much more, giving the Hurricanes the chance to load up the box and neutralize Love and company? I’m worried the starter might play the first few games “managing” the offence, which could be a recipe for a slow start to the season.
Eric Hansen: Hi Kevin. Great and busy summer and no complaints about that. Thanks for asking. I addressed the first part of your line of questioning earlier, but there are some parts in the latter questions I wanted to get to. Whether a starter was named on April 12 or will be on Aug. 17, how Mike Denbrock approaches a season with regard to the playbook would have been the same. There are plays he and the QB are most comfortable with, and those are the players they’ll leverage to start out with. Then with each succeeding week, as they learn a little more about what’s working and what’ snot, they’ll add a little more.
Does that make the QB a game manager? Well kind of. With the defense that ND has and the desire to keep the turnovers down, the Irish don’t have to be as risky and daring in Aug/Sept as they might have to be in a playoff when the QB would theoretically be ready for that. So if Miami is loading the box, for instance, I do not expect Mike Denbrock to just run three plays into it and then punt. You’d see QB runs. You’d see some deep throws downfield or even some shorter throws. If Miami is loading the box, where on the field does that create a mismatch in ND’s favor. That’ll be what Denbrock will be looking to do. Don’t confuse lack of experience for lack of talent with either of these guys, Minchey and Carr.
John from Champaign, Ill.: I was blessed to be with my parents on their 60th wedding anniversary August 7th in Bridgman, Michigan. My Dad, Jim Baker, a 1960 Naval Academy graduate asked me a question. If a player gets hurt will that affect his NIL payout. I thought to pass that question on to you. I don’t think so unless behavior was egregious (per stipulations in contract). Thanks for your hard work and insight Eric. We love your chats!
Eric Hansen: Hi John. How cool is that? Congrats to them and glad you could be a part of the celebration. Keep in mind it’s not revenue share and NIL money going to players. I can’t see a scenario with either where that would come into play unless/until there is collective bargaining. And thank you for loving the chats. It’s my favorite part of the week leading up to the games.
Tom F from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hey Eric, between the Chats and FNS shows we appreciate the healthy dose of ND football you give us. It seems the closer we get to the 31st the more nervous I am getting. We will be playing a good team in a hot and humid environment. The fact that neither of the QBs has separated themselves is a little unsettling. I want someone to win the job not start because the other QB struggled badly. We seem to have a lot of good pieces on O and I would hate to drop the first game because we could not take advantage of those players. Please tell us what gives you confidence in this team for the first two games?? Also, have the FG kickers been more consistent lately. These first games could come down to a key FG. Go Irish!!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom, I got lost in the compliments for a second and stopped reading. Thank you. I have now recovered. Vegas says Notre Dame will be favored in every game this year, including the first two. I voted the Irish No. 4 in my preseason poll for a reason (well actually several), and so I am picking the Irish to win those two games. And if they drop one, I’m still confident this is a team no one wants to see in the playoff. But those are two very good teams with small margin for error. As far as the kickers, I’ll let you know more Friday when I get more info. Thanks for the hype.
USAF Irish: Can you please rank the offensive line from 1-7ish based on PFF and potential? I see multiple lineman highlighted in the media, and I don’t see a weak spot.
Eric Hansen: Hey USAF, I will include the PFF stats with a warning label … Skewed by small sample sizes from some, by playing through injuries with others and not being on those rankings because they were in high school. With that out of the way, the ranking went 1. Sullivan Absher, 2. Aamil Wagner, 3. Guerby Lambert, 4. Charles Jagusah, 5. Billy Schrauth, 6. Anthonie Knapp and 7. Joe Otting. Now, the Eric Hansen 1-through-7. Going to leave Jagusah out since he’s injured: 1. Schrauth (this is predictive not on past performance), 2. Wagner, 3. Ashton Craig, 4. Anthonie Knapp, 5. Absher, 6. Lambert, 7. Will Black. I don’t see a weak spot either.
johngipp from Lititz, Pa.: Hey Eric I was just listening to a podcast where Tim Hyde stated that in the last 16 champion teams, only 2 were qb’ed by guys making their 1st starts that year. (Winston and Lawrence, rarified air indeed). Since the word on the street is that the battle between Carr and Minchey is still to be decided, is that fuel for elation because they are both so good that it is difficult to determine the best, or concern that the battle is to determine who’s worse. The latter would certainly lower the season projection.
Eric Hansen: Hi Johngipp: I like Tim and didn’t hear the podcast and not sure you heard him correctly, but it’s nine of the last 16 who were first-year starters, not two. And of your two scenarios, it’s the good one, not the default one.
Ed from Sayville, N.Y.: Hi Eric. Have you heard anything regarding a potential opportunity for Guerby Lambert to open the season at right guard?
Eric Hansen: Hi Ed, remember, O-Line coach Joe Rudolph puts the best five on the field, not a battle between right tackles. So if Guerby Lambert is No. 6, as I have assessed, he’s knocking on the door somewhere. I ADAMANTLY don’t think he’d replace Aamil Wagner, though, if he did move into the top five.
Shane from White Deer Texas: Hey Eric, other than the QB, what other position would you put a question mark on? I guess I should not assume you have a question about the QB come to think of it. Or do you? Thanks for the chat. Go Irish.
Eric Hansen: Hi Shane, I feel good about who and what ND’s starting QB will eventually be, just as I did last year with Riley Leonard. To me, the concern would be a first-world concern and the two position groups with the most to prove now would be TE and interior defensive line. But both have quite a few potentially strong answers.
Bill from St Joe, Mich.: Hi Eric! When ND last played Miami at Hard Rock, I believe in 2017, Miami rolled over the Irish. I remember that when the ND team buses arrived at the stadium, more than a couple Miami fans threw bottles at the buses. Hopefully the security in and around the stadium will be much better. This was not a one time occurrence as I attended several games in the past when Miami hosted games at the Orange Bowl, where both inside and outside the stadium, security was much to be desired. If this occurs again, if I were the administration and the AD, I would refuse to play them again in or around Miami.
Eric Hansen: I’m sure Notre Dame officials will be monitoring the situation as will the ACC, because Notre Dame and Miami want to play each other.
Dave from Toms River, N.J.: How happy will you guys be after a starting QB is named?
Eric Hansen: I’m happy both ways, It’s been a fun storyline.
Dave from Toms River, N.J.: Do we beat Miami?
Eric Hansen: Yes, 24-17.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric! I think this will be my first QB question. Assume all are true. KM is ahead of CJ at this time. The gap is clear, but close. CJ has the higher ceiling. The potential gap is clear and not as close as the current gap. Even as coaches who are closest to the competition you are not sure when CJ will pass KM. The beginning part of the schedule on paper is the toughest part of the schedule. Whoever starts the first game will need the lion share of the reps to be ready and give the team the best chance to win. Whoever has the higher potential will need reps to develop, potentially taking reps from the game one starter. Planning for a change in starters, although it worked when Book replaced Wimbush, is not always desirable. KM is a better passer but not quite the runner as BW. CJ is a much better passer than IB, not as good a runner, but better pocket presence. Who does this staff start game 1 if these are all true? Is this staff okay with a change of QB after that? How are reps split?
Eric Hansen: Hi Len!!!?? That’s a lot to unpack. And what if all but one of those is true or all but two? My head hurts, and it’s me not you. That exceeds my bandwidth. Let me try to bring this down to a level that I can understand. Who starts is not just who was best in August, but who you think will be best in November/December and beyond. That decision would not preclude a change at some point, but that would not be something you’d want to have happen. The No. 2 QB always gets a decent amount of reps. And that’s true no matter who the No. 1 and 2 are. So that doesn’t change in this season. I hope I came close to answering that sufficiently. That was a calculus problem for me.
Jeremy From Goshen, Ind.: You made a good point that MF tuck with Riley Leonard ven after the Northern Illinois game due to his high ceiling. Who do you believe has the higher ceiling overall? Minchey or Carr?
Eric Hansen: I’ve always thought it was CJ Carr and still do, but I admit I underestimated what I thought Minchey’s could be, and I think it’s pretty high too.
Marc from Perrysburg, Ohio: I am a worrier. What about this upcoming season gives you the most hope that Notre Dame can finally win a championship again?
Eric Hansen: Hi Mark. I’ve written about this a lot. To oversimplify the answers. Marcus Freeman. His staff. The administration’s commitment to football. Mike Martinas the GM. ND’s ability to compete in the new economic structure. Facilities. Recruiting.
Dave (Dnett) from Battle Creek, Mich.: Fair warning – I am violating rule #5. Anywho, with most people focused on who will be the starting QB, what other position battles are taking place and are those battles a byproduct of a player “A” surging or player “B” regressing? BTW, thanks for the great insight over the QB battle this morning!!!!!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hah. Dave, I did not know you were from Battle Creek. I have friends up there. And I am OK with your violating rule No. 5. Thanks for the compliments. Now to your question. Most of the battles are for rotational spots, not starting with the exception of the safety spot opposite Adon Shuler. And this is one reason why I am bullish on the Irish. It is because of surging players … at WR, at D-line, etc. The exception would be tight end, where an injury diluted the competition.
Bill from St Joe, Mich.: Hi Eric! I read online over the weekend that last year the OSU roster received $20 million in NIL money according to Athlon Sports. The article did not distinguish between transfers and the high school recruited roster. I’m not being critical of OSU, instead they should be applauded for raising that amount of money. Just wondering how that compares with how much NIL funds the ND roster attracted.
Eric Hansen: Bill, we have people with those resources at On3. I don’t have time to use a lifeline to do that this week, but I’ll try to get the info for you if you can email me.
Tom from Warsaw: Hey Eric! Any predictions on how many yards that our top receiver (Whoever it may be) will have this year?
Eric Hansen: Oh, Tom, I bet you’re a math teacher, aren’t you?
Eric Hansen: Ok. I am out of time and on to my next assignment. Thanks for all the great questions. We’ll be back to do it all again next Wednesday at noon ET.
Recent Chat Transcripts
Chat Transcript: Are offseason player restrictions ahead for college football and Notre Dame? | July 10, 2025
Category: General Sports
