After the Notre Dame loss to the Miami Hurricanes over the weekend, there are a lot of Fighting Irish fans down on the state of the offensive line. Both offensive tackles Anthonie Knapp and Aamil Wagner struggled in a big way, and the interior wasn’t a ton better. Aside from starting center Ashton Craig, all left a bit to be desired. Joe Rudolph’s group needs to get a lot better moving forward, and quickly.

Notre Dame is in the middle of a bye week, and is preparing for the Texas A&M Aggies two Saturdays from now. While you aren’t going to make a ton of changes in such a short time, it is still a great opportunity to do some soul-searching. There are four potential moves up front offensively that could prove to be very advantageous for this team heading toward the future.

1. Move Will Black to left tackle

With the poor play of Anthonie Knapp at left tackle, you are going to have to at least prepare for the worst-case scenario. I wouldn’t necessarily move on from the sophomore left tackle, but there have to be some options put into place in case things go bad. Will Black is a five-star true freshman who is incredibly talented at 6-7 and 305 pounds. As of today, Black is practicing at left guard, but that isn’t Black’s future. Who knows if Black would take a rep at left tackle in an important moment in 2025, but right now, you only have Styles Prescod behind Knapp. You need to create quality depth, and let Black begin to develop.

2. The Charles Jagusah plan when he returns

If Knapp does falter, a long-term decision may need to be made at left tackle. The easiest answer will be Charles Jagusah when he returns from his humerus injury. There hasn’t been a timeline for a return from that injury, but sometime in October feels like a realistic time frame. The 6-7, 333-pound behemoth was projected to play right guard for Coach Rudolph, but he has actually spent more practice and game time at left tackle in his career. Not only does Jagusah have a higher floor than Knapp as a blindside protector, but he also has a higher ceiling as well. There is little reason why Jagusah shouldn’t get a shot at left tackle if the struggles continue for Knapp.

3. Anthonie Knapp moves inside

You may have figured this out by now, but this strategy is in a particular order. In the hypothetical world where Knapp falters at left tackle, and Jagusah takes over, the former is too talented to try not to find a spot for. At 6-4 and 300 pounds with good movement skills and power, I believe that Knapp would excel inside at guard. He is good enough of a player to immediately contend to start, especially since Knapp did practice inside a ton when he first arrived in South Bend. I do not want to put Knapp on the bench. I want to put Knapp in a position that best accentuates his strengths as a football player.

4. Guerby Lambert gets opportunity at right tackle

I love that Guerby Lambert is getting an opportunity to play, but he did struggle mightily inside at guard against the Miami Hurricanes. If you believe he could excel on the inside long-term, then stick with Lambert right now. However, many believe his future could still be at offensive tackle. Before the injury to Jagusah, Lambert had spent a ton of time practicing at right tackle. Aamil Wagner also just had his worst game in the blue and gold, so adding quality depth behind him could be very advantageous. It is also possible that Lambert eventually wins the spot from Wagner. Whether he does or not, Notre Dame severely needs to strengthen the offensive tackle positions.

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Changes head coach Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish should consider during the bye week heading into Texas A&M 

Changes Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman should consider

Ryan Roberts