Irish Breakdown

Projecting Notre Dame's Offensive Line vs. Ohio State After Latest Injury Setback

If Notre Dame has done one thing better than anyone this season it's been overcoming
Nick Shepkowski|
Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli (18) knocks helmets with offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp (54) before a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.
Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli (18) knocks helmets with offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp (54) before a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Notre Dame Fighting IrishOhio State Buckeyes

As well as things have gone for Notre Dame football during the 2024 season, the injury luck of the Fighting Irish has been about as bad as any team nationally.

Standouts across the roster have been lost for the season left and right, and during the dramatic Orange Bowl win over Penn State, that was the case yet again.

True freshman Anthonie Knapp took over the starting left tackle position in fall camp due to an injury to projected starter Charles Jagusah. Now in a sick turn of events, Jagusah could be the one starting the national championship game for Notre Dame.

Anthonie Knapp Out for Notre Dame in National Championship Game

Knapp suffered a high ankle sprain against Penn State and was replaced by veteran Tosh Baker in the Orange Bowl. Baker is who Knapp beat out for the starting spot after the Jagusah injury back in August.

Who Starts for Notre Dame in National Championship Game?

Notre Dame football enters the field during the Orange Bowl against Penn Stat
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take the field before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

So how exactly will Notre Dame's offensive line look when it lines up for the first snap against Ohio State on the evening of January 20? Here's my projection based on the latest injury updates and how those have faired in recent games.

Left Tackle: Charles Jagusah 6-7, 328-pounds, RS-Freshman

I think when Jaguash came in for an injured Rocco Spindler at right guard last week, that was a glimpse into Jagusah's longterm future. With Spindler working to be ready to go, my guess is Jagusah moves back to where he was projected to start the season.

Left Guard: Billy Schrauth, 6-5, 310-pounds, Sophomore

Schrauth began the year in the starting lineup and stayed there until suffering an ankle injury in the 66-7 victory over Purdue. Since he returning to action in late-October against Navy, Schrauth has remained in Notre Dame's starting lineup.

Center: Pat Coogan, 6-5, 310-pounds, Senior

For one more time in the blue and gold he dreamed of wearing while growing up on Chicago's South Side, four quarters of *blank blank* football for the middleman of this offensive line.

Right Guard: Rocco Spindler, 6-5, 331 pounds, Senior

Spindler has moved around Notre Dame's offensive line during his time in South Bend and had his ankle roughed up against Penn State. Based on what Marcus Freeman said on Sunday, my guess is that Spindler starts at right guard against Ohio State.

If Spindler is unable to go then the logical fallout would be:
Jagusah moves back to right guard for Spindler and senior Tosh Baker steps back into the left tackle position that he filled in for during the Orange Bowl.

Right Tackle: Aamil Wagner, 6-6, 290 lbs., Junior

Wagner has started all 15 games for Notre Dame this season and man who went to the same high school as Marcus Freeman will again do that with a national championship against the powerhouse from his home state on the line. Good news for Wagner is that Abdul Carter won't be lining up for Ohio State.

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Nick Shepkowski
NICK SHEPKOWSKI

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.

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