The lack of spring practice availability for Notre Dame has stunted the excitement for Fighting Irish football just a tad. A lot of projection is typically needed this time of the year, but it has reached a ridiculous level with the abbreviated practices, and even less insight into the 2025 version of this team. Still, there is always a lot to talk about concerning Notre Dame football.

On this week's mailbag, some of the top questions involved the quarterback and offensive line battles. There is always going to be a question about CJ Carr, and Steve Angeli as well. Here are the best questions submitted this week both on X and YouTube. 

Portaling for a running back? 

Any chance nd goes after Georgia tech running back , anthony carrie

— Antoine Rideaux (@AntPor43) March 31, 2025

Nope, zero chance. The last position Notre Dame needs to hit the portal for is running back. Deland McCullough put this running back room in a tremendous place, for now and for the fortune. 

Another Anthonie Knapp conversation 

To what degree should we trust Joe Rudolph's judgement re Knapp? To what degree should we trust that were he making a serious mistake, that he'd be overruled by OC or HC?

— Micah Russell (@MicahRu73957559) March 31, 2025

I think Joe Rudolph gets a little too much hate from Notre Dame fans. Nobody is perfect. I’m not overly happy about the decision that seems to be being made. I would much rather have Charles Jagusah at left tackle in comparison, but there are some people who act like Knapp was horrible last season. It just isn’t true. I’m also willing to wait and see how Knapp does. We often forget how difficult it is to come in as a true freshman and start on the offensive line, especially with the circumstances involved. 

At the end of the day, these decisions are being made as a staff. Coach Rudolph has many conversations with Mike Denbrock and Marcus Freeman about the offensive line, how everyone is progressing, and who is going to start. Those things get signed off on. 

Comparing Notre Dame to the SEC

So you think ND will ever have lines comprobable to the top tier SEC schools in size and speed?

— Patrick Hoolahan (@Irish_1980) March 31, 2025

Their offensive line already is comparable to SEC offensive lines. Notre Dame is one of the best producers of talent in that regard, and that will continue to remain true. There should be issues surrounding offensive line recruiting and development. 

The short answer is no for the defensive line, at least not in the immediate future. You will have some comparison on the edge. Al Washington has done a nice job of finding some legitimate talent at defensive end. Defensive tackle recruiting, however, just isn’t good enough right now. The Irish defensive tackle group is going to be bigger than we have seen in several years, but the talent isn’t comparable to a school like Georgia or Alabama right now at that spot. 

Offensive line talk

It appears Jagusah has already made that move inside, and I expect it to stay that way, unfortunately. I’m fascinated to see what happens with Lambert this season. From all I’ve seen and heard, they are keeping him at right tackle to play behind Aamil Wagner. It feels like 2026 is going to be the Lambert breakout season, hopefully. 

If healthy, it’s going to be Ashton Craig. He was playing good football last season when he got injured. I expect him to be the starter against Miami if he’s fully cleared. 

PWO impact 

This is a great question, but one I don’t have a tremendous answer to right now. If I can count Luke Talich since he was a former preferred walk-on, then he will certainly get a chance to compete at safety. Jordan Faison would be the easy answer if I could use former walk-ons as well. Rino Monteforte is also your starting short snapper, and is a walk-on currently. 

Projecting the starting offensive line

The offensive line I would have preferred was Charles Jagusah at left tackle, Billy Schrauth at left guard, Ashton Craig at center, Anthonie Knapp or Guerby Lamber at right guard, and Aamil Wagner at right tackle. We have already gained some insight that Jagusah is set to play guard, so my prediction is from left to right that it will be Knapp, Schrauth, Craig, Jagusah, and Wagner. 

Who is QB1?

I think Steve Angeli is going to end up being the starter for the first game of the season. If I had a preference, my pick would actually be Kenny Minchey. I just believe that Minchey gives the team the most upside. He is the best athlete, and the strongest arm as well. If CJ Carr is the starter, I wouldn't be mad at it. I honestly wouldn't be upset if it was Angeli either, although I do think his ceiling is lower than the other two. All three bring very different strengths to the table. 

CJ Carr transfer hypothetical

I know that a lot of people consider CJ Carr the golden boy, but I am not worried about whether he chooses to transfer or not. My only priority is seeing who the best quarterback is to try and win a National Championship, and I think the Notre Dame coaches will believe the same. In the Transfer Portal era, you are going to drive yourself crazy worrying about who could transfer. Play the best player, no matter what. 

Notre Dame football predicted to land one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the 2026 recruiting class

Notre Dame could land a big one soon.