The biggest question mark for Notre Dame entering the 2024 season was, to many, its offensive line. Now, after starting left tackle Charles Jagusah was lost for the season due to a torn pectoral, Irish o-line coach Joe Rudolph will be tasked with reimagining ND's front five. And he'll have to do it quickly.
Photo by The Irish Tribune
There is absolutely no way to spin out of the devastation that follows this news. There will be no cope that is offered by the following article. Additionally, there are no words that can express the unfortunate nature of this injury. From Charles Jagusah's prospects for this season, to his needed development throughout it, this is an unfortunate setback for a rather promising talent. The answer as to whether or not the 6'7, 330-lb. redshirt freshman is able to bounce back will have to wait until next season.
However, Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph is now tasked with providing answers in the immediate, as Jagusah officially begins his recovery process. Entering his second year at Notre Dame, it was already a must that Rudolph delivered an improved product from 2023. Without his unit stepping up in a meaningful way, the offense would have a clear ceiling placed above it. Now, he is in a position where he'll have to accelerate the development timeline significantly for his already young room.
Rudolph is not without options he can tap into. Notre Dame has recruited the front well, with players that can admirably step up at the left tackle position. The Irish also retained Tosh Baker, a now-suddenly massive development.
If we were to take the depth chart at face value, next in line would be Anthonie Knapp. That's not happening. The true freshman is simply not physically ready to step in and play at the level needed at that position. As such, Rudolph will have to look elsewhere.
Amil Wagner is a much more likely option. There are some that hold the opinion that Wagner should've been the left tackle to begin with, with Jagusah playing at his more "natural" position -- left guard. Wagner had a strong spring at right tackle, and looked to have secured the starting job only a handful of practices into fall camp. The questions now will center around his comfort level with playing on the left side.
That would then open the battle at right tackle, yet again. More specifically, Tosh Baker versus incoming five-star freshman, Guerby Lambert. Weighing in at 318 pounds, and towering at 6'7, Lambert is a special talent. At the beginning of camp, it wasn't necessary that Lambert arrive to campus game-ready. But circumstances have changed. If Notre Dame elects to move Wagner to left tackle, it will be necessary that Lambert is at least battle-ready to be able to take on the most veteran member of the offensive line in Tosh Baker.
Speaking of Baker, he could also be an option to transition to left tackle. It makes sense to put the perceived safe and steady veteran on the left side. The potential problem is that when Baker gets beat, he gets beat in horrific fashion. He will certainly have his opportunity to prove that he can limit those moments, and if he is going to win this battle, it is an undeniable must that he does just that. Bad beats on the right side of the line were inexcusable enough, but protecting Riley Leonard's blind side is of utmost importance -- as it is on any team. Baker has a tough hill to climb to instill confidence he's capable of doing so.
Another intriguing option is redshirt freshman Sullivan Absher. Similar to Lambert, Absher is 321 pounds and an imposing 6'7. He looks the part. While at left guard right now, it's not out of the realm of possibility to slide him out wide. Early reports out of fall camp indicated that Absher is becoming hard to ignore. If he continues to step into himself, Notre Dame not only has an option that reveals itself as a stabilizing force, but one that can project dominance. Absher was slated as someone who was expected to be really good down the road. He should be granted the chance to cut that timeline down.
The scenario Notre Dame is now dealt with can play out in a variety of ways. The key for Rudolph is to avoid "robbing Peter to pay Paul." How do you save one position while not taking away from another? Do you go with experience or high upside, yet unproven talent? The good news is that Rudolph won't have to wait until Week 1 to find out if his options can perform against a quality defensive line.
Because come Wednesday's open practice, they'll be lining up against the Notre Dame defense.
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