Pod of Gold: Notre Dame Football

Tyler James and Eric Hansen discuss Notre Dame suspending in-person classes for two weeks due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, the Irish football program pausing practice with five new positives cases for players, if Notre Dame can pursue football without other students on campus and USF reportedly being added to the 2020 schedule.

Tyler and Eric also weigh in on Notre Dame's freshman skill players, the pass rush depth and what questions they have for the Irish moving forward.

Tyler James and Eric Hansen discuss a crazy week in college football, the Big Ten and Pac-12 canceling their fall seasons, Notre Dame's start of preseason practice, highlights of Brian Kelly's press conference, Notre Dame's All-2000s team and more.

Then Tyler and Eric answer questions from Twitter (31:28).

Tyler James, Eric Hansen and Carter Karels reunite to discuss Notre Dame's 11-game schedule, its ACC affiliation and how it all came together. The trio also examines wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr.'s injury and the latest Irish recruiting developments.

Then Tyler, Eric and Carter answer questions from Twitter (41:15).

David Lacey, father of Notre Dame sophomore NG Jacob Lacey,  joins the podcast to share his story of contracting COVID-19, recovering from it and the lingering effects. Lacey also discusses how Notre Dame is handling COVID-19 precautions while bringing football players back to campus, how the program has amplified its message against racism and social injustices and more (1:45).

Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen answer questions from Twitter (26:03).

Ian Williams, a former standout nose tackle for Notre Dame, joined the podcast to discuss a wide array of topics, including George Floyd's death, racial inequality, going to protests, being teammates with Colin Kaepernick on the San Francisco 49ers, Drew Brees' comments, instances of racism he has endured, Notre Dame's response this past week and more (3:59). Later, Eric Hansen and Carter Karels detailed Notre Dame's plans to bring its football players back to campus (57:24).

Incoming freshman Michael Mayer, one of the top tight ends in the 2020 recruiting class, joins the podcast to discuss his last semester of high school, how he's preparing for Notre Dame amidst the coronavirus pandemic, why he thinks he can make an impact as a freshman, what he's already learned about ND's offense, how he almost didn't play football in high school and more (23:52).

But first, Tyler James and Carter Karels touch on some of the biggest ND football and recruiting over the last few weeks.

Later, Tyler and Carter answers questions from Twitter (41:35).

Dane Brugler, draft analyst for The Athletic, joins the podcast to discuss this week's NFL Draft, if Cole Kmet is the top tight end prospect, the upside of Chase Claypool, how teams value Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem, how high Troy Pride Jr. could rise, the differences between Alohi Gilman and Jalen Elliott, how Notre Dame's talent stacks up among the best in college football and more (1:38).

Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen make NFL Draft predictions in the Place Your Bets segment (26:05) and answer questions from Twitter (37:20).

Matthews (N.C.) Weddington High's Will Shipley, a four-star running back who is considered Notre Dame's top uncommitted target in the 2021 class, joins the podcast to discuss his recruiting process, the differences and similarities between Notre Dame and Clemson, his relationships with run game coordinator Lance Taylor and Christian McCaffrey, what virtual visits look like and more (1:15). 

Then Eric Hansen and Carter Karels discuss Shipley's interview, talk about current college football topics and answer your Twitter questions (25:55). 

Former Tribune sports writer Mike Vorel, who currently covers Washington football for The Seattle Times, joins the podcast to discuss life in Seattle during the coronavirus pandemic, how Washington's program has handled the changes, what Notre Dame's 2015 season could have been, if the 2015 ND team was more talented than the 2018 team and his favorite college football stadium venues (1:25).

Then Tyler James and Eric Hansen answer questions from Twitter (37:07).