Notre Dame football suffers a big loss to the offense – how Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish soften the blow
How does Notre Dame soften the blow of Billy Schrauth entering the 2026 NFL Draft?
Notre Dame football suffered a big loss on the offensive side of the football on Friday when starting left guard Billy Schrauth opted to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
The AFCA All-American had one year of eligibility remaining, and many believed he would return for one final season. Instead, the Wisconsin native is ready to chase his NFL dreams.
The 6-4, 310-pound offensive lineman started 23 games for the Fighting Irish over the last three seasons. Before suffering a left knee injury earlier this past season, Schrauth was playing the best football of his career in the blue and gold. He was offensive line coach Joe Rudolph’s most consistent performer this season.
Notre Dame also said goodbye to starting right tackle Aamil Wagner this offseason when he opted for the 2026 NFL Draft. That was not a loss viewed through a negative lens. While Wagner was a solid performer during his two years as a starter, he also didn’t make the progress many had hoped for in 2025. Both sides needed a reset.
Schrauth, however, was a player that the Irish staff wanted back. That is a tough loss for the talented Notre Dame front. While it stinks, the team does have more than enough talent to soften the blow. With the injury background, it is also a bit of a questionable decision to declare. In today’s NIL era, there is a strong argument that he could have made more money in 2026 by staying in college than by being a mid- to late-round selection.
That decision is ultimately Schruath’s, and every Notre Dame fan will be hoping it works out.
Where does that Notre Dame offensive line go from here?
With Anthonie Knapp and Guerby Lambert returning, they will be penciled in as starters going into next season. Ashton Craig will also be holding down the center position once again if healthy. If he has any setback, then you would think that redshirt junior Joe Otting would get the next look at center, a position that he started six games at this past season while filling in for Craig.
The biggest wildcard of the group is Charles Jagusah. While the 6-7, 330-pound behemoth is arguably Notre Dame’s most talented offensive lineman, he has been available for just two games during the last two seasons due to injury. Jagusah is too talented to give up on, so I expect him to start somewhere in 2026 if healthy. The bigger question is whether he will settle back inside at guard or be given a chance to play right tackle with Wagner off to the NFL.
As of today, I would predict a starting five of Knapp, Jagusah, Craig, Lambert, and redshirt freshman Will Black. There is also a chance that Jagusah or Lambert ends up right tackle, giving Sullivan Absher a chance to start inside at guard for the Irish. Whatever the combination ends up being, this makes a strong case for Rudolph’s most talented offensive line since coming to South Bend.
Recent History of Notre Dame Offensive Linemen in the NFL Draft
- Joe Alt was selected fifth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers
- Blake Fisher was selected 59th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans
- Jarrett Patterson was selected 206th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans
- Robert Hainsey was selected 95th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Aaron Banks was selected 48th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News
Notre Dame football and HC Marcus Freeman continue a new trend after unfortunate offseason roster news
The 2026 recruiting class is now finally complete for Notre Dame football.
