Notre Dame Football

Tosh Baker's Experience Proving Valuable for Notre Dame

By Matt Freeman

August 6, 2024

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Joe Rudolph was coy about his plan for left tackle, but given the circumstances, Notre Dame’s offensive line coach was also honest when push came to shove.

With Charles Jagusah out for the year with a torn pec, Rudolph appears to be turning to graduate student Tosh Baker to fill the role not only in the present but also in the long term.

Baker has played in 36 games (four starts) during his Notre Dame career and provides something no other Notre Dame tackle prospect can, which is experience. Behind Baker is true freshmen Anthonie Knapp and Styles Prescod.

And even if Rudolph flipped Aamil Wagner from the right tackle spot, Notre Dame would be looking at just seven games of reserve action from his resume.

“Tosh has started games at both right and left,” stated Rudolph. “His understanding is outstanding. His competitive level and his care level is off the charts. He's ready to go, like he’s left the field as the starting right tackle. He's started at left before. He started at right before, didn't miss a beat. He stepped right in and was himself.”

Coming to work every day sounds easy, but it was likely challenging for Baker, who was stuck behind a first-round pick in Joe Alt and second-round pick Blake Fisher over the last two seasons, which led to little playing time.

“That's the one thing I've appreciated about Tosh,” Rudolph explained. “No matter what role he's had or what title — like working into a practice or working into a game — he's attacked it with the same approach. Disappointed about Charles. It breaks your heart for him, but excited that the opportunity opens up and the next person who steps in. We're going to have him ready to be his best.”

What’s the deciding factor in keeping Wagner at right tackle as most would want the athleticism on the left side. It’s simple. Comfort.

“I think Aamil feels more comfortable at right, just his body,” said Rudolph. “I think Tosh feels more comfortable at left. That just kind of sorted out accidentally, but the whole reason to have Tosh at right for the bowl game was I thought he was a better pairing with Billy (Schrauth). I thought Charles was a better pairing with Pat (Coogan). So that was the reason. Wasn't necessarily that I thought one guy had to play one side or the other.”

It also wasn’t a complete given Baker would be on the roster after the spring. The 6-foot-8, 320-pounder had a tough conversation with Rudolph following spring practices where it was made clear Wagner would be the guy at right tackle.

“Tosh battled,” Rudolph stated. “He didn't play bad. He did a lot of good things in the spring, and it was a tough conversation. You’ve just got to be honest, and you’ve got to say, ‘Hey, this is where we're at.’

“What I love about Tosh is he was like, ‘Hey man, I want a chance to compete and take that back.’ He wasn't like, ‘Oh, I'm leaving. I'm going here. I'm doing this.’ Like, these guys got love for each other, and they understand that even though they have had disappointment.”

The Transfer Portal was open. Many players would have left. And no one would have blamed him for doing so as 2024 is his final year. Yet, Baker returned and earned respect from his position coach.

“I think it says everything about him,” Rudolph explained. “I think it not only says everything about him, I think it says everything about what he believes in this place and what he believes in his teammates.

“At a place like Notre Dame, that's got to be an edge for you. That group that you put on the field, like, they’ve got to love each other, man. They’ve got to be willing to make sacrifices for each other. They’ve got to be willing to go to places that you wouldn't go if you didn't care about the guys around you.”