Joe Rudolph Sees Growth, Toughness in Notre Dame’s Veteran Offensive Line
Notre Dame returns a wealth of experience on both sides of the football, including the offensive line.
Barring injury, offensive line coach Joe Rudolph expects to roll out a starting five featuring four returning starters in Anthonie Knapp, Sullivan Absher and Guerby Lambert, along with either Joe Otting or Ashton Craig at center.
The lone projected starter without true game experience is redshirt freshman Will Black, but early returns this spring have been encouraging as he battles one of the top defensive lines in the country on a daily basis.
“I think what we get out of coach [Charlie] Partridge and the defensive line — Bryce Young and Boubacar (Traore) being prime examples,” said Rudolph. “What Coach Ash presents and the different difficulties and the fits, like we embrace the hard. We know that the hard will allow us to find solutions to problems and it will help us to grow.
“Those two guys in particular, I think what's really helped them the most and what gives you confidence is when you know that you've been in really tough situations in the moment, the heat of it, and you've got it right, and that you can trust your technique to do it again, and you can trust the guy next to you.”
Black’s spring hasn’t been without its struggles, but that’s by design. Rudolph wants his new left tackle tested now so the transition into fall camp and eventually the season goes smoother.
“I think the more you get through that and the more situations we put them in for that, the more they'll grow,” explained Rudolph. “In the heat of the moment, when you're in Lambeau, are you going to be there for me at that moment? I don't even have to think about it. I know it, so that's the challenge.”
Rudolph has also reshuffled pieces along the line, moving Lambert from guard to right tackle and Knapp from left tackle to left guard. The changes aren’t experimental as much as they are about putting players in the best position to succeed.
“I know Anthonie can play left tackle,” stated Rudolph. “I don't have a problem with that. Really finding the opportunity to let these guys settle in. I've been able to do that with most of the guys. There's a couple that are holding down multiple hats, but not many.”
Redshirt freshman Matty Augustine is one of those exceptions, seeing time at both guard and tackle this spring. Rudolph has largely avoided constant shuffling in favor of building continuity.
“Matty Augustine is one who’s been playing both tackle and guard,” Rudolph said. “Honestly, he's been doing an incredible job of doing both, which is rare. It's really a chance to see if this group can mesh, mold and come together. They've been doing well.”
Could Augustin push his way into the starting lineup? It doesn’t appear to be the plan right now, but competition remains a core principle within the room.
“I think everything is very active competitively,” Rudolph explained. “We talk long and hard about being like a band of brothers in there. You're helping your brother get better by how you perform. You're coaching him and you're pushing him.
“Together they know that they want to raise the bar, be better than we were last year and better than the year before. That's the goal and they know there's going to be a group of brothers out there doing it. It's going to take all of them to get them there.”
When it comes to leadership and carrying on Rudolph’s message, Notre Dame has found a leader in Anthonie Knapp.
The two-year starter has been through the fire and enters his third season ready to become a vocal presence within Notre Dame’s locker room.
“I think the most genuine leadership is when you see a guy and you say, ‘I want to be like that guy,’” said Rudolph. “I think he does that for everyone. I don't think he does it just for the guys in the O-line room. I think he does it for the guys on the team.
“He's a guy when you watch him and you're like, ‘Yeah, I want to be like that. I want to bring that mentality. I want to have that physicality. I want to have that detail. I want to have the resiliency to bounce back.’ He's been great, but I think that is what he brings every play.”
One clear area of emphasis this spring has been short-yardage situations. Despite boasting two potential first-round running backs, Notre Dame’s offensive line struggled at times to consistently move the pile in key moments last season.
Rudolph understands that those issues are rarely isolated to one position group, but that his group needs to set the tone.
“It would be great if you were great at something and you'd be like, ‘Yeah, if you're great at getting pass protection, we aren’t giving up any sacks,’” stated Rudolph. “It's like, ‘Man, that line can really protect.’ You know darn well it takes 11 guys to protect. It takes a quarterback with communication and detail, a back being able to pick up the pressures, the line, being able to communicate, make the switches and finish. Quarterback with pocket awareness and detail, right? And receivers creating separation, getting the ball out. It all goes together.”
Still, Rudolph believes this group has what it takes to improve in those critical situations.
“It's the same way with every situational ball,” Rudolph explained. “You go from being really good in 2024 in short yardage and goal line and then it starts to show its head like, ‘Man, we need to be better here.’ But I think it's all of it. That's got to be something that we as a whole group and as a line, nobody's harder on my group or maybe on any group of O-linemen. I'm all over them.
“But every play we have an opportunity to win and we have an opportunity to win at five spots. Same thing, tight end. You've got a sixth spot or maybe a seventh. You've got to understand that and you've got to fight for that. I think we will. I think we've got a really good group from the top down that will understand that just a hair better.”
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