Notre Dame Offensive Line Coming Into Form

Notre Dame's injuries have been a significant story during the run to the National Title game. The Fighting Irish have lost multiple starters, while many in the two-deep probably need a game or two off, but it's all hands on deck as Notre Dame will take on Ohio State in Monday's National Championship. 

Entering the game, all eyes will be on the Notre Dame offensive line as starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp left the Orange Bowl with a high ankle sprain. Knapp will miss the Ohio State game as he's expected to have tight rop surgery in the coming days in hopes he will be more than ready to go for spring ball. 

Filling Knapp's spot will come down to two players in graduate student Tosh Baker or redshirt freshman Charles Jagusah. That said, the decision could become easier for offensive line coach Joe Rudolph if right guard Rocco Spindler can't go as he works his way back from exiting the Orange Bowl with his ankle injury. 

Head coach Marcus Freeman stated Jagusah is working at both positions this week and the staff will have a final decision sometime before Monday. 

“We’ve been working Charles Jagusah at left tackle but also playing some guard,” stated Freeman. “We have an idea of what we're going to do starting on Monday, but it's something I think we could wait until Monday to just say this is exactly what we're going to do. But he's been playing a lot of left tackle and playing some guard, too.

Spindler believes he'll be more than ready to go in 48 hours when the Irish take the field in Atlanta, which would likely give Notre Dame it’s best five on the field. 

"It's great," Spindler said of how his ankle feels. "I've been able to do everything they've asked me to do. I trust Rob Hunt, Mike Bean and the coaching staff in the training and weight room. I'm spending multiple hours a day in there before practice." 

Notre Dame started classes this week, so life got a little busier for Spindler, but he also knows the opportunity ahead of the program and himself, so it's been easy to spend more time rehabbing and doing everything necessary for him to play. 

"It's a lot of rehab and contrast therapy. There's a lot of motion exercises and stem to get me game ready." 

Spindler, who started in last year’s game against the Buckeyes, knows he’ll need to continue to rehab over the next 48 hours as Ohio State’s defensive line will present a stiff challenge. 

“They’re pretty deep in how many guys they have,” explained Spindler. “They’re great guys and they’ve been in these games before. Last year we played against them, and they’re a good defensive line.” 

Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock admitted they’ve toyed around with several lineups over the last week, but cohesiveness isn’t a concern, which might come as a surprise given how little Jagusah has played in his career. 

“We've run several different combinations there trying to figure out exactly which one's best,” Denbrock said. “We'll kind of let everybody know about that as we go down the road here.

“I love the way those guys have worked. There's been good cohesiveness between everybody that we've put into the different spots. I know they're excited and ready to show what they can do.” 

Regardless of who starts or even finishes on the offensive line, the expectation remains the same. Bully ball. 

“Our brand of football is what this team needs to have success,” stated Freeman. “The thing I've learned more than anything as a head coach is the plays you've got to fall in love with on offense and defense are the plays and calls that your players can do well.” 

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