Marcus Freeman announces Notre Dame center to miss remainder of 2025 season
By Derek Hryn
Published:
Notre Dame will have to navigate the rest of the 2025 season without starting center Ashton Craig, who suffered a knee injury against N.C. State and is out for the year, per a report from The Athletic’s Pete Sampson.
Coach Marcus Freeman confirmed the news Monday, expressing both sympathy for the junior and confidence in the roster’s depth. Craig had been a key piece of the offensive line, starting the first six games and logging 352 snaps, but now the Fighting Irish will turn to Joe Otting, a third-year sophomore who saw limited action before Saturday.
Otting stepped in for Craig in the game against the Wolfpack and handled the duties admirably, showing the kind of mobility and power that fits Notre Dame’s offense. Other options on the interior include Sullivan Absher, who has limited experience at center, and freshman Cam Herron, who has impressed the coaches in the team’s scout-team work.
With Notre Dame riding momentum after four straight wins following an 0-2 start, the team will need its backups to step up, particularly with a big home game against USC on the horizon. For now, Otting will get the call to anchor the line and help the Irish keep rolling.
