Quick hitters: Notre Dame DC Al Golden on Marcus Freeman, young corners, Antonio Carter II, Javtontae Jean-Baptiste

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden spoke to the media after Friday’s Fighting Irish football practice, the third of fall camp. He seemed in good spirits, eager for his unit to get back on the field Saturday for practice No. 4 before an off day Sunday.

This is what Golden had to say about Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman‘s maturation process, Rhode Island safety transfer Antonio Carter II fitting in after arriving in the summer, the young Notre Dame cornerbacks talking smack on the first day of camp and Ohio State defensive end transfer Javontae Jean-Baptiste‘s projected role.

On what he sees in Freeman as a second-year head coach

“Questions about how Marcus feels about it, that’s for Marcus. But there’s no doubt the clarity that he has, the vision that he has for the program, the way he looks at each component of the season, each stage, whether it’s the winter program, spring ball, summer and now preseason camp, there’s a definitive plan. And it’s clear for us to see as coaches, which obviously makes it easier to execute. I think he’s made it real clear for us.

“In his mind, I hope he feels like, ‘OK, it’s slowing down for me. I have a schedule. I know they’re going to pull me away for media here, I know they’re going to pull me for this, but I have to get these things done.’ I feel like he’s done a great job of that. I know as a staff we’re excited about that.”

On if he felt more comfortable as a second-year head coach at Temple and Miami

“No doubt. Everything slows down. Everything starts to slow down. You know where the potholes are, and you know how to look around bends. You know when there’s time crunches. You use the down time to prepare for those, so that’s a little bit smoother. He’s awesome to work with and he’s a pleasure to work for.”

On Notre Dame safety Antonio Carter II

“He’s doing great. For those guys that didn’t participate in the spring, there’s a little bit of a learning curve. We’ll settle in here. By the time we scrimmage, it will be, ‘All right, I have to learn this and we can evaluate that.’ I’m pleased with those guys in general and I’m glad he’s here. I love his attitude, too.”

On young Notre Dame cornerbacks talking smack on the first day of fall camp

“I don’t really manage whether they talk or not. If they’re talking or they’re being confident, it’s because of demonstrated performance. There’s nothing worse than talking and then giving up a 60-yarder. If they’re talking it’s because of demonstrated performance, and that goes across the board. That’s where confidence comes from; I’m doing it.

“But there are some battles, now. I promise you, there are battles. You look at some of the wideouts like [Chris] Tyree and Tobias [Merriweather], you can see it. There are going to be great battles all summer and that’s going to make us better. But I’m glad that they’re confident, that they’re playing faster and hopefully that will spill over to the entire defense.”

On Notre Dame defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste

“He’s taken a good number of reps in his career. I didn’t realize it was that many. With experience comes poise and problem solving, so I think from that standpoint he can help us there. We’re hoping he’s a one on third down. We’re hoping he’s a legitimate one, which we believe he is. And that should help. You can’t pressure all the time. That’s not the way football is anymore. So you’ve got to have different packages and the ability to get home with four. I think he gives us that opportunity. I love the kid.”

On defensive lineman Tyson Ford

“He’s kind a flex guy. He can play the 3 or he can play the 9. He’s doing both for us. He’s doing great. I’m excited about his attitude. His MEs are down, which means he’s executing better. I was excited about his practice today.”

On the depth Notre Dame has at defensive line

“Love to get all those young guys going. That would be awesome. We’re going to challenge them all. They’re all learning. They’re working hard. [Al Washington] does an awesome job with them. Those young guys, they’re all hungry and they’re all competing and we’ll see where it goes. It’s too early to settle into anything. … I’m excited about them. There’s probably at least nine right now, so that’s great.”