Notre Dame offensive lineman Billy Schrauth isn’t a man of many words when he’s at the podium.
The Wisconsin native’s words carry weight and that’s why Schrauth has a goal of becoming a Notre Dame captain in 2025.
“When you realize you can impact culture, it’s big,” stated Schrauth. “Secondly, the quality people in that room, being able to lead a group of men like that would be a huge honor, and I would take it with a lot of new responsibility. I love those guys. Being able to represent them in any fashion would be a dream of mine.”
A year ago, Marcus Freeman asked players to step forward if they wanted to be captains. Schrauth was one of them, and he’ll do it again if the opportunity comes.
“You never want to shy away from that,” explained Schrauth. ‘You want to lean into guys like that and you feel that everybody should have opportunities to lead. That’s important and that’s a big piece of this team. Guys feel part of it.”
On paper, Schrauth is part of one of the nation’s best offensive lines. Notre Dame returns multiple starters, and while outside expectations are high, the goals inside Joe Rudolph’s meeting room are even higher.
“I think we should be the best offensive line in the nation,” Schrauth said. “Something you’re always chasing. Going after that Joe Moore Award and the national championship every year. That’s what we’re trying to make our identity. The best group out there. You know when you’re the best group.”
How do you know? Schrauth says it’s simple.
“A lot of people like to talk and there’s always this and that, but when you’re the best group, you know you’re the best group,” Schrauth explained. “When you’re the best player, you know you’re the best player. That’s how it is. Knowing we’ve got a special group this year, reaching our full potential, if we can do that, we’ll be in that conversation.”
Notre Dame’s offensive line also has the perk of facing one of the better defensive lines in the country every day in practice. It’s a situation that’s not lost on Schrauth or the other offensive linemen.
‘We compete against the best guys day-in and day-out,” Schrauth stated. “We know we can compete. We’ve got a bunch of competitive, hard-nosed guys and that’s what it takes.”
When it comes to his own development, Schrauth is focused on building on his trademark physicality.
“Strength is the name of the game,” Schrauth said of his offseason focus. “Always getting stronger. Consistency is a huge part of offensive line (play). Feet, hands, eyes, you can always clean that up. Being great for the guy next to me. That’s a huge piece. That’s what I’m always kind of wired into.”
Speaking of the guy next to him, Schrauth will have his good friend, Ashton Craig, to his right at center. Craig missed all about three games a year ago, but now he’s back at center and all feels normal on the interior of the line.
“It’s the best,” stated Schrauth. “He’s my best friend. I love playing next to him. Being on the same page is a huge piece of what we do and he’s a great player, great dude, love playing next to him, love going through this process with him, on and off the field.”
In addition to Craig’s return, the Irish will return starters at every position but right guard. Returning starters with experience give the Irish an advantage in fall camp, but Schrauth knows they also have to play at a high level when it matters the most.
“Anytime you start a new year with a new ball club, you lean into that fresh start,” said Schrauth. “But you also know that with tradition comes responsibility. Leaning into that, leaning into what we had and what is new. Leaning into both of those is important for this team and I know we will lean into that.”
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