Injuries are an unfortunate given in football and Notre Dame suffered its first significant one of the season when offensive lineman Matty Augustine went down with a broken fifth metatarsal.
Yet, there’s a calmness in the offensive line room under Joe Rudolph’s guidance. This group has been there and done that.
Augustine will have the full support of the room, but Rudolph is making sure Notre Dame’s offensive line is ready to hit the ground running when the Irish kick off against Wisconsin on September 6.
It starts with competition, a word that has been driven home by coaches and players throughout fall camp.
“Matty going down was a real disappointment,” stated Rudolph. “I think he's one of the better players in our room, one of the better players on this offense. We've had to step up every year. Guys have stepped up to do that.
“Joe Otting is having a great camp. Sully (Sullivan Absher) really put together the last two days. They've been really good. I've been proud of him. Cam Herron's been playing really well. Styles Precod has been playing really well. So we've got great competition across the board.”
Absher and Augustine had been competing for the starting right guard spot. With Augustine sidelined, Absher is now the favorite to start at right guard against Wisconsin.
The 6-foot-7, 320-pounder has played in 29 games for the Irish, including all 12 games last season while making five starts at left guard.
For Rudolph, the next step is building communication and trust between Absher and right tackle Guerby Lambert.
“I think Guerby and Sully are starting to get that,” Rudolph said of the communication between the two. “They're starting to feel that. I think Sully's healthier. I see improvement from the spring. I think the more they work together and do it in a way where it's their best, I think they can then get consistent with one another. I think we still have a little ways to go there on that side.”
Absher and Lambert need to have a sense of urgency, but there is also plenty of time to get the finer points down.
There’s no question the duo provides plenty of size on the right side. Lambert measures in at 6-foot-7, 325 pounds.
“Big men,” stated Rudolph. “Big guys. We still got to execute. We still got to do the shit. They are awesome dudes, man. They're great. They got great personalities. Their level of care is tremendous. These guys keep pulling the best out of each other. Each one of them has characteristics that you’re like, ‘This is the best I've ever been around.’”
Rudolph still has decisions to make when it comes to finding his best five.
Center Ashton Craig is coming off a second ACL injury and has officially been cleared for anything and everything. Rudolph isn’t overworking him as Craig has yet to participate in full 11-on-11 work. Still, there’s a strong sense that he’ll be ready for Week 1.
One possibility is playing Joe Otting at center and moving Craig to guard, a position he’s more than familiar with.
“When I first got here, he was guard,” explained Rudolph. “We kind of had a few guys go down in a game on the road at Clemson. We lost two centers in maybe four or five plays. He went in and he did a heck of a job and kind of held that position down from that point on.
“I think he easily could play guard, center. He's one of those cogs that we need to be able to be flexible enough to help us for whatever our group is.”
Craig is more than open to playing wherever he’s needed. At this point, the fifth-year senior simply wants to get back on the field and help Notre Dame.
“Listen, I'll play wherever,” said Craig. “Whatever's best for the group, whatever's best for this team. I'll do whatever it takes for us to take that next step.”
Craig’s leadership has also been embraced by the room despite missing spring practice.
Rudolph has noticed that veteran presence, and it gives him confidence that the group will be ready when the season arrives.
“Ashton's the guy that's kind of the vet,” said Rudolph. “Ashton's got a really good command of the room. He's got a real calmness to him that you want a center to have. The guys listen to him. He kind of sets the tone.
“Knapper's (Anthonie) kind of like all grit and toughness. I think those guys love that part of him and embrace it. Guerby's the heart and soul, organizer, great communicator. They're all taking on roles to lead that group, which is what you want.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Under Armour Golf Tech Stretch Long Sleeve Hoodie
