Spring football often serves as a reset button across college football, and for Notre Dame offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp, it’s delivering a new start with a new challenge.
The Georgia native could easily be Notre Dame’s starting left tackle for the third season in a row, but offensive line coach Joe Rudolph has moved Knapp inside to left guard.
“It's like coming in as a freshman again, learning new positions and everything,” stated Knapp. “There are new things to work on. Not like I didn't have anything to work on at left tackle, but like you figure out new things.
“The positions are different and so it's just been fun. Every day I can go watch film, write something on my notes on one thing I can do in pass pro or run and then just focus on that and it's a lot different from tackle. It’s refreshing.”
That mindset says a lot.
Plenty of veteran players might resist a position change, especially one that could impact their NFL outlook. Knapp isn’t wired that way.
“I don't care,” said Knapp. “I'm a football player. I love football. I'm here to play football. I was a fourth-string center when I first got here, so it's whatever Coach needs. He knows best. Whatever the team needs, whatever Coach needs. If they think I can be pretty good at guard, then I trust them. I'll do whatever it takes to be the best I can be and do what the coach says.”
The transition from tackle to guard hasn’t just been about learning new assignments. It has required a shift in play style, but one that favors Knapp's love for physicality.
“I think the only difference at tackle is you're probably able to use a little bit more finesse because you have a little bit more time and things happen just a little slower,” explained Knapp. “But if you're at a tackle, you go against an odd front, it's like the same thing as a guard when you go against a four-down. You're going to be one-on-one most of the time.
“I like those blocks, backside of tight zone, or play side of the counter, whatever it is. Things happen quicker at guard and it just feels good working with Will (Black) and Otter (Joe Otting).”
Entering his third season as a starter in 2026, Knapp is now one of the anchors of Notre Dame’s offensive line. While he may not be the most vocal leader, his approach carries weight inside the room.
“I feel like people get the respect not from what people say, but what people do,” Knapp explained. “I take it upon myself every day to try to set the example and not only set the example for the guys behind me, but set the example for me where I can get better.
“I think that's where you can have a voice. I think you can't just walk in and just say you played games and have a voice. I think you have to show people.”
That example-setting mentality is especially important as he helps guide younger players like Black through the inevitable ups and downs of stepping into a starting role.
Knapp has been there before and he’s using that experience to provide steady support, whether it’s sharing pre-snap tips, helping with communication, or simply being a reliable presence alongside him.
“Will's been doing a great job,” stated Knapp. “Great feet. Good hands, dude. He's quick. He's fast. Just kind of little tips and tricks that I learned from playing two years at left tackle, like certain fronts or certain play calls, what to say to the tight end, how to reline your snap or your stance before the snap. Put yourself in the best position possible to win that cutoff or win that play. I just need you in my hip pocket, whether we're on the man's side of pro, so that he knows that I'm there and he can trust me.”
Rudolph has been thrilled with what he’s seen this spring from his left side.
“I've been first pleased with the way that Anthonie has embraced the intricacies of guard,” Rudolph stated. “It's different. At first, you kind of want to do everything the way that you've done it when playing tackle. You can get away with some things, but eventually it shows up. I've been really excited about the way he's been like, ‘I want to learn this, and I want to understand it, and I want to know it better.’
“His working relationship with Will has been really good. The way they communicate before and after each play, the way they continue to grow. It's been a real positive. Probably a little bit better than I anticipated.”
As for the entire group, the goal this spring is simple. Develop.
“With the offensive line, it's just kind of like building that chemistry, building that instinct together,” Knapp said, “That’s all we're doing. We know if we mess up on a play, we know immediately, like, ‘Hey, we're good, and we'll get it right the next time.’ As long as we can build that chemistry and keep being good for the guys next to each other, I think that's the most important thing.”
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