Notre Dame reps true freshman at left tackle in wake of Charles Jagusah injury, per report
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Notre Dame appears to be turning toward its 2024 recruiting class as it looks for an immediate answer at left tackle, according to multiple reports.
Per The Athletic’s Pete Sampson, true freshman Anthonie Knapp was with the starters on Thursday during the portion of practice that was open to the media. It’s the second consecutive open practice that has featured Knapp with the starting unit at left tackle.
Notre Dame had its last open periods of practice on Thursday. Take this for what it’s worth.
Freshman Anthonie Knapp worked as the No. 1 left tackle over Tosh Baker.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) August 15, 2024
That’s notable as the Fighting Irish search for a solution at left tackle. Charles Jagusah entered fall camp as the undisputed starter at that position, but he will miss the 2024 campaign after suffering a pectoral injury earlier this month.
Tosh Baker, a redshirt senior, was thought to be the leading candidate to earn that role. However, it seems Knapp may be a serious contender for the left tackle position with just a couple of weeks to go before Notre Dame’s season-opener.
Knapp was a 4-star prospect in the class of 2024. A Georgia native, he was the No. 26 offensive tackle in the country for that cycle, per 247Sports Composite rankings. Knapp is listed at 6-foot-4, 291 pounds on Notre Dame’s roster.
Left tackle isn’t the only area on Notre Dame’s offensive line that appears to be up in the air. Per BlueAndGold’s Jack Soble, Sam Pendleton has been running with the first team as well at left guard. That’s a surprise, as that job was expected to be won by either Pat Coogan or Rocco Spindler during fall camp.
Notre Dame’s starting offensive line in the last two practices reporters have seen:
LT Anthonie Knapp (Fr.)
LG Sam Pendleton (So.)
C Ashton Craig (Jr.)
RG Billy Schrauth (Jr.)
RT Aamil Wagner (Jr.)The youth movement is real, particularly on the left side.
— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) August 15, 2024
It’s also worth noting that Notre Dame’s Aamil Wagner is somewhat of a question mark at right tackle. Wagner, who is set to replace Blake Fisher in that role, has not started a game at the collegiate level.
There is some urgency for Notre Dame to sort out its offensive line issues. Its first game of the season will be played against Texas A&M on the road. The Aggies have perhaps the best defensive line Notre Dame will face all season, with players like Nic Scourton and Shemar Turner posing serious threats.
Still, Notre Dame-Texas A&M is expected to be a close game according to the betting markets. DraftKings has Texas A&M favored by 1.5 points in the contest as of this writing.
SPORTSBOOK
Kickoff from College Station is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 31.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
