<body><div>In a recent dual-feature of Burning Up the Boards written by Kevin Sinclair and I, we were asked about the future of the interior offensive line.That question led me down a rabbit hole to come up with a thoughtful and informative answer, but the offshoots of that line of questioning have remained in my head since. With that, I decided to take a look at the projected <a href="https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/">Notre Dame</a> offensive line unit for 2025 and came away with the belief that the unit should be one of the deepest nationally with elite upside.Let's dive in.OVERALL OUTLOOK:Before factoring in any transfers, Notre Dame is set to lose just one offensive lineman this offseason to exhausted eligibility, that being reserve tackle <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/tosh-baker-46059194/">Tosh Baker</a>.As such, looking at Tim O'Malley's scholarship chart, the debut projected outlook at offensive line is as follows, with each player's remaining years of eligibility in 2025 listed in parentheses:<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3dCuKf_0vzUtJlj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3dCuKf_0vzUtJlj00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Matt Cashore, Irish Illustrated)</figcaption></figure>TACKLE:<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/aamil-wagner-46101325/">Aamil Wagner</a> (2)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/charles-jagusah-46117629/">Charles Jagusah</a> (4)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/anthonie-knapp-46137045/">Anthonie Knapp</a> (3)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/guerby-lambert-46130441/">Guerby Lambert</a> (4*)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/styles-prescod-46133508/">Styles Prescod</a> (4)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/will-black-46141003/">Will Black</a> (4)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/matty-augustine-46138961/">Matty Augustine</a> (4)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/owen-strebig-46136108/">Owen Strebig</a> (4)INTERIOR:<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/pat-coogan-46083976/">Pat Coogan</a> (1)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/rocco-spindler-46049869/">Rocco Spindler</a> (1)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/ashton-craig-46108883/">Ashton Craig</a> (3)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/billy-schrauth-46096599/">Billy Schrauth</a> (2*)Ty Chan (2)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/sam-pendleton-46113149/">Sam Pendleton</a> (3)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/sullivan-absher-46117876/">Sullivan Absher</a> (3)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/joe-otting-46117045/">Joe Otting</a> (3)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/christopher-terek-46129932/">Christopher Terek</a> (3)<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/peter-jones-46116619/">Peter Jones</a> (4)From that group, there are several likely departures to thin the numbers, and the veteran experience of that unit.Rocco Spindler, a 10-game starter last year before being injured in the <a href="https://247sports.com/college/clemson/">Clemson</a> game, started this season on the bench before replacing an injured Billy Schrauth at right guard in the <a href="https://247sports.com/college/purdue/">Purdue</a> game. With Schrauth expected back this season, Spindler is likely to relinquish that starting role sooner rather than later, and with only one year of eligibility remaining and a Notre Dame degree on the way this spring, Spindler is a prime candidate to follow the <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/zeke-correll-46039612/">Zeke Correll</a> path and take his talents elsewhere for a final season of college ball.Coogan is in the same boat as Spindler, the 13-game starter in 2023 replaced this offseason but elevated to the starting center following the season-ending injury to Craig. A leader on the team and an unofficial captain in the offensive line room, there seems to be slightly more uncertainty if Coogan will grad transfer like Spindler. In this era of college football, one has to assume the expected transfers will come until the window closes.Reasonably, one or two of the seven current underclassmen who have not played at Notre Dame could make a move for the exits as well, although that number includes unlikely-to-leave names like Jagusah, Absher, and Lambert.THE EXPERIENCE:<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=25p6so_0vzUtJlj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=25p6so_0vzUtJlj00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Matt Cashore, Irish Illustrated)</figcaption></figure>Assuming Spindler and Coogan are off to their next adventure, the most senior offensive linemen on the team next season will be Wagner, Knapp, and Pendleton with 12 starts plus the postseason. Schrauth started three games last year and three games this year, so he'll add six games started plus any additional starts following his return from injury. In the same camp is Craig, who will have six games started when he returns to action next season. Meanwhile, Charles Jagusah has one start to his name after taking over in the bowl game last season. Subject to change this season, Sullivan Absher has appeared in six games, Christopher Terek in three, Guerby Lambert and Joe Otting in two, and Peter Jones has made one appearance. That is 49 starts worth of experience available to the staff before any post-season or additional starting action from Schrauth this year. ONLY FIVE CAN PLAY (HEALTH PERMITTING):<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2t1yhf_0vzUtJlj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2t1yhf_0vzUtJlj00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Matt Cashore, Irish Illustrated)</figcaption></figure>Next offseason is going to be an exercise in finding the best five for Notre Dame, because they will have an abundance of former blue-chip options.Craig and Schruath's spots at center and right guard, respectively, feel assured if both are healthy for fall camp and into the season. That leaves three spots that could be subject to movement, left tackle, left guard, and right tackle.Jagusah is the true wild card here. Entering 2025, Knapp will be the most experienced left tackle option on the roster. During the recruitment of both Jagusah and Knapp, the flexibility to move to guard was discussed. If Knapp retains the left tackle spot, Jagusah could compete at right tackle or left guard.The competition for right tackle will be steep, as Wagner has played well so far this year, and his experience and time spent in the program will give him a leg-up on younger options next offseason. Pendleton's performance as a first-time starter has been more up and down, but the Irish staff are bullish on his long-term ability. Guerby Lambert, an ascending player with the most on-profile build and tools for a tackle, could also factor in here. While he lacks the experience of Knapp, Wagner, and even Jagusah, his mobility relative to his size and his natural length are the highest end of the group. That does not even make mention of the trio of giants coming to South Bend as freshmen in 2025, with all three players ideal-type size for modern offensive tackles. Nor does this group mention Sullivan Absher, who the staff has said openly has NFL potential on the interior.A SELECTED SAMPLE OF TWO-DEEP COMBINATIONS:<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=17YZd9_0vzUtJlj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=17YZd9_0vzUtJlj00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Matt Cashore, Irish Illustrated)</figcaption></figure>The Hold Serve:LT: Charles JagusahLG: Sam PendletonC: Ashton CraigRG: Billy SchrauthRT: Aamil WagnerNext men up in this scenario:LT: Anthonie KnappLG: Sullivan AbsherC: Joe OttingRG: Chris TerekRT: Guerby LambertThe Familiar Switch-Up:LT: Anthonie KnappLG: Charles JagusahC: Ashton CraigRG: Billy SchrauthRT: Aamil WagnerNext men up in this scenario:LT: Guerby LambertLG: Sam PendletonC: Joe OttingRG: Sullivan AbsherRT: Will BlackThe A Little Old, A Little New:LT: Charles JagusahLG: Anthonie KnappC: Ashton CraigRG: Billy SchrauthRT: Aamil WagnerNext men up in this scenario:LT: Guerby LambertLG: Sam PendletonC: Joe OttingRG: Sullivan AbsherRT: Will BlackThe A Bit Chaotic:LT: Anthonie KnappLG: Sam PendletonC: Ashton CraigRG: Billy SchrauthRT: Charles JagusahNext men up in this scenario:LT: Guerby LambertLG: Sullivan AbsherC: Joe OttingRG: Chris TerekRT: Aamil WagnerThese are just a selected few variations to show the flexible options available to Notre Dame next fall. With a platform like this to build off of, the Notre Dame offensive line in 2025 promises to be a deep unit more functionally prepared for attrition like that experienced this fall. That floor is combined with the potential to be one of the best offensive lines in the sport if the best five can stay healthy and get extended run together. Offensive line depth is a glaring issue for most teams in this sport, especially so in the internet recruiting era where a 6-foot-7 Canadian offensive tackle in <a href="https://247sports.com/college/uconn/">Connecticut</a>, like Will Black, is on the national radar as opposed to a closely guarded state secret for <a href="https://247sports.com/college/boston-college/">Boston College</a> or another regional school. The 2025 version of Notre Dame has built the privilege of not being included in that list of 100-something teams.Now, they just need to figure out the best way to deploy that talent. Once that's settled, the sky is the limit. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Notre Dame Recruiting: The O-Line, Tested in 2024, Elite and Deep in 2025?

In a recent dual-feature of Burning Up the Boards written by Kevin Sinclair and I, we were asked about the future of the interior offensive line. That question led me down a rabbit hole to come up with a thoughtful and informative answer, but the offshoots of that line of questioning have remained in my head since. With that, I decided to take a look at the projected Notre Dame offensive line unit for 2025 and came away with the belief that the unit should be one of the deepest nationally with elite upside.

Notre Dame Recruiting: The O-Line, Tested in 2024, Elite and Deep in 2025?

Comments / 0