Via the South Bend Tribune’s Mike Berardino, FootballScoop’s John Brice and Zach Barnett and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s Mike Craven reported on James Blanchard being offered the general manager position at Notre Dame. DCTF reports that Blanchard is expected to take the position and it may be a done deal. Via FootballScoop:
Some two years ago, Freeman made an extended run to snag Blanchard away from Texas Tech before the Red Raiders at the time awarded Blanchard with one of college football’s top deals in the personnel space. Freeman then pivoted to hire Butler Benton, now at UCLA.
Numerous sources beginning Tuesday afternoon told FootballScoop that Freeman and Blanchard once again had ratcheted up their communications and discussions about Blanchard as the top target to replace Bowden. Patrick Suddes, who’s been North Carolina’s general manager, also had been a name vetted by the Irish.
Matt Fortuna on Wednesday afternoon first posted that Blanchard was a name to watch in conjunction with the Irish’s opening.
But this focus has dialed in on Blanchard, whom sources told FootballScoop on Wednesday had met with Freeman in Mobile, Ala., in conjunction with both individuals being in South Alabama in advance of this weekend’s Reese’s Senior Bowl.
How advanced are the discussions? At this point, “it’s more like negotiations. They’ve talked numbers, potential other elements of the job.”
The DCTF article notes that Brian Nance would be the in-house replacement and that was my initial thought, as Nance has worked alongside Blanchard for 3 years and this would be a natural step-up for Nance. I also know that Blanchard was the one guy that flew in on the airplane arriving with head coach Joey McGuire on the airplane to Lubbock so there’s obviously a relationship there. Two years ago, I would have been pretty concerned about this move, but I’m okay and it seems as if that Nance’s rise through the system, they knew that this was just a matter of time.
The Mercury News’ Jon Wilner has very early preseason 2025 projections and he’s picking Texas Tech to finish 2nd behind BYU:
2. Texas Tech
We won’t compare Texas Tech 2025 to Arizona State 2024 because expectations are higher for the former than the latter. But if you’re looking for a contender from just off the pace, consider Texas Tech, which was 6-3 in conference play and not part of the end-of-season tiebreaker process. Coach Joey McGuire’s program has loaded up in the transfer portal — at last check, his incoming class was No. 3 nationally in the 247Sports rankings — but will lean into veteran quarterback Behren Morton. A better comparison might be found in the ACC: The Red Raiders could be the Big 12’s equivalent of SMU in ’24, only without the first-year membership situation.
ESPN’s Craig Haubert ranks the top-75 2025 recruiting classes and has Texas Tech at No. 51:
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: WR Bryson Jones
Top defensive prospect: LB Brock Golwas
Previous ranking: 53
To further bolster one of the top passing attacks in the Big 12, Texas Tech has landed several promising receivers, including four-star Bryson Jones and Tristian Gentry. Jones is a lengthy target and an excellent route runner at this stage. Gentry has excellent burst and good quickness, and he makes plays after the catch. Sean Robinson is an intriguing prospect. Nicknamed “Rambo,” Robinson has a nice frame at 6-foot-3 and more than 200 pounds and offers great position versatility, having played multiple spots in high school, though we wouldn’t be surprised if he lands on defense. Preztynn Harrison is listed at tight end, but the multisport athlete is a hybrid-type target with outstanding length and good ball skills.
Texas Tech has done a good job with early evaluations and might have landed a defensive steal in linebacker Brock Golwas. He’s a thickly built player with versatility, having played multiple positions in high school, including wildcat quarterback. He has good body control and excellent range and has been recorded running over 21 mph in game play.