Confidence Has Been Key For Notre Dame OL Aamil Wagner

There was only really one question regarding Aamil Wagner’s potential when he signed with Notre Dame as an offensive lineman out of Ohio’s Wayne High School back in December of 2021.

Would he be able to add the weight necessary - without losing the athleticism - to hold up against the top defensive linemen in the country?

The Irish certainly felt the answer to that question was yes, as did ISD expert Jamie Uyeyama, who included Wagner in his ISD Fab 50 as one of the top 50 prospects in the country.

Notre Dame listed Wagner at 6-6 and 260 pounds when he signed out of high school. Wagner didn’t appear in any games as a freshman and played in seven as a reserve last season.

Now listed at 6-6, 291 pounds, Wagner has started all 13 games for the Irish this season. 

“I think it’s just a testimony to our nutrition staff and our weight room staff,” Wagner said in the leadup to Wednesday’s College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchup with Georgia in the AllState Sugar Bowl.

“They did a great job of preparing me for the season. Obviously adding weight has been an emphasis the last couple of years. Getting the opportunity to step on the field, it was important that I had the correct weight and the correct strength to be out there. 

“They’ve gotten me to the point where I feel confident and strong out there. I feel like I can take on anyone. We’ve played some of the best defenses in the country so to be able to hold out and for my body to hold out and feel powerful throughout was a big confidence booster.”

Wagner said that confidence is a major reason for his success this season, especially without any extended playing time behind guys like Joe Alt and Blake Fisher. 

“A lot of it was just visual learning, asking questions and getting the technique right and just being able to pick (up information) from the guys in front of me,” he said. “So, throughout the season, it’s been a confidence-builder. 

“Every single game, whether it’s locking down, being able to find fits over and over again, and pass rush attempts over and over again, just going into the game feeling a lot better.”

Still, it didn’t take long for Wagner to cement that confidence in himself.

“I think it was really after the first drive of the Texas A&M game,” Wagner said. “Obviously, you do a lot of preparation throughout the season, throughout fall camp. You get your body right, you get your sets right. You don’t know how good you are until you go against the best. 

“Texas A&M being the first d-line we saw with Shemar (Turner) and the guys they have, it was a big test to start out with. So being able to get that first drive, it was pretty successful being able to hold my own there. It was kind of, ‘I can do this.’ It’s confidence and just kept rolling from there.”

Wagner will be hoping for a similar performance on Wednesday night against the Bulldogs’ defensive front.  

“I think they do remind us of Texas A&M,” he said. “All season, we’ve gone against some very talented defensive units and front sevens. It’s no different with Georgia. 

“They have talented players and a deep rotation, especially the defensive line and a great linebacker corps. It’s going to be a great opportunity for us to go out there and play football. We’re excited about it. We welcome the challenge as an offensive line so we’re ready to go.”

Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams and linebacker Chaz Chambliss are two of those key defenders.

“I’ve known Mykel since high school,” Wagner said. “I played with him in the All-American Bowl. He’s a great athlete. 

“Two tremendous athletes, two tremendous players, it’s going to be very key to play with length and trust myself, getting hands on…Guys like that can beat you at any time. Tremendous athletes, tremendous ball players. Just trust what we know, trusting our knowledge and just playing with aggressiveness but also with my length.”

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