Notre Dame Must Win in the Trenches in 2026!
- godcountryirish
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive line enters the 2026 season at a pivotal crossroads. After losing key starters Aamil Wagner (right tackle) and Billy Schrauth (left guard) to the NFL Draft following a strong 2025 campaign—including a run to the national championship game in 2024—the unit faces significant turnover but boasts a solid foundation of returning experience, positional versatility, and an elite infusion of freshman talent.
The Irish offensive line in recent years has been good but not great. At times, they are completely dominant, but they looked worse than a high school offensive line against Miami in 2025. However, with departures creating vacancies, the group projects as one with a high floor thanks to battle-tested returners and a ceiling that could approach elite status (potentially rivaling Notre Dame's Joe Moore Award-winning lines of the past) if health holds and young players develop quickly under coach Joe Rudolph.
Projected Starters
Left Tackle: Anthonie Knapp, Styles Prescod
Left Guard: Will Black, Sullivan Absher, Peter Jones
Center: Ashton Craig, Joe Otting, Cam Herron
Right Guard: Charles Jagusah, Chris Terek, Owen Strebig
Right Tackle: Guerby Lambert, Matty Augustine
Preferred Starters
Left Tackle: Will Black
(It made no sense why Rudolph had Black practicing at Guard this past season. It’s time to let him live up to his potential and become a dominant LT)
Left Guard: Ashton Craig
(When Craig is healthy, he has NFL potential, but it’s hard to rely on a center who got hurt the last two seasons)
Center: Anthonie Knapp
(Knapp will not play tackle in the NFL and still struggles with elite pass rushers. His combination of strength and run blocking could make him a very high draft pick at center)
Right Guard: Charles Jagusah
(There may not be a player with more potential than Jagusah, but he has to prove he can stay healthy. If he can, this could be one of the most dominant lines in recent memory)
Right Tackle: Guerby Lambert
(Lambert looks like a future first-round pick, but he needs to be more consistent. His combination of size and strength make him the ideal pick to play RT)
Incoming Freshman Class: Depth and Immediate Impact Potential
Notre Dame's 2026 recruiting class was bolstered by a six-man offensive line haul (part of the nation's top-ranked class overall), with four early enrollees adding talent:
Grayson McKeough (OT, 6-8, 300 lbs) — Highest-rated OL in the class, a towering tackle with massive upside.
Tyler Merrill (IOL, 6-5, 330 lbs) — Powerful interior prospect likely to push for early playing time.
Ben Nichols (OT, 6-5, 320 lbs) — Strong Michigan native with potential to crack the two-deep.
Others like Gregory Patrick, Sullivan Garvin, and Charlie Thom add size and versatility (some converted from tight end).
This group injects fresh athleticism and depth, helping offset the losses and positioning the line for long-term dominance.
Outlook and Expectations
The 2026 offensive line has the potential to be one of, if not the best in the country in 2026. With Anthonie Knapp providing a stable foundation, experienced pieces like Jagusah, Lambert, and Craig in the mix, and talented freshmen ready to contribute, the Irish have the ingredients for a strong group. Early-season adjustments and potential growing pains are possible as combinations gel—something Notre Dame has navigated before—but the trajectory points upward. If health cooperates and the young talent accelerates, this could become one of Notre Dame's best lines in recent memory, paving the way for CJ Carr and the offense to thrive in what many expect to be a championship-contending 2026 season. The pieces are there; now it's about execution in spring ball and fall camp.
Go Irish!
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