Notre Dame 2022 Recruiting Class Is All Over The Offensive Depth Chart

The rising senior's on offense have the chance to have a special season for Notre Dame. The 2022 offensive recruiting class is littering with players that will be either in the starting lineup or will have the opportunity to play starter level snaps. There are four presumed starters on offense in this class along with one of the most explosive running back in the country. This class reaching their full potential will give this Notre Dame offense a strong foundation for this upcoming season. 

Starting up front, the 2022 offensive recruiting class brought in some talented offensive lineman. Right tackle Aamil Wagner was the lone offensive lineman who started all 16 games for the Irish last fall. He accumulated a team leading 973 snaps over the course of the season and only allowed two sacks. Presumed left guard Billy Schrauth was also a member of this class. The former four-star recruit from Wisconsin was one of the higher rated players in the 2022 class, but unfortunately has yet to put a together a season long resume. 

Schrauth started 12 games last season, missing four due to an injury suffered against Purdue in week three. He made his return against Navy replacing Sam Pendleton who has since transferred to Tennessee. Schrauth now has 15 starts under his belt in total between 2023 and 2024 and is looking to put together a full season. Center and fellow 2022 recruiting classmate Ashton Craig was also injured in the Purdue game in week three. Craig was lost for the season with an ACL injury and has not returned to the field. He has since been cleared as a full participant in summer workouts. Craig will look to build on his six career starts and make his way back into the starting lineup. 

Tight end Eli Raridon has yet to have the breakout season many predicted he would have earlier in his career. Raridon entered the 2022 class as a top 100 recruit by most major recruiting services and the No. 2 tight end in the country per 247Sports. At 6-7 251 pounds, Raridon possesses size and a downfield skillset that makes him a matchup nightmare. Unfortunately, injuries derailed the early part of his Irish career. Now, heading into his fourth and final year in South Bend, Raridon is slotted to be the next No. 1 tight end in South Bend, hoping to add his name to the illustrious list of players that played the position in recent history. 

Running backs Jadarian Price and Gi'Bran Payne round of this 2022 offensive class. Both players have been hampered by injuries at some point during their careers. For Price, it came earlier in his time with the Irish. In 2023, he showed flashes of his big play making ability capping it off with a 106 yard and one touchdown performance in the Sun Bowl. This past season, Price was the team's third leading rusher with 746 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He had touchdown runs of 36, 47, 65 and 70 yards last year making him one of the more explosive backs in the country. He returns this fall as part of one of, if not the best, running back duos in the country. 

Payne was lost for the 2024 season before they reached fall camp. He tore his ACL in May of 2024, but returned to the team for the start of spring practice this year. Thankfully, it hasn't looked like he has lost a step. New running back coach Ja'Juan Seider noted that you couldn't even tell he was injured prior to his arrival. Payne had a solid spring and picked up where he left off as a runner and pass blocker. He was their primary third down running back in 2023, but is now in a room with a lot of proven talent and high ceilings. His role is yet to be defined, but his decision to forego the spring portal is a strong sign that he will have some sort of role on the offense or on special teams this season for the Irish. 

Notre Dame's 2022 offensive recruiting class will play a major role in this team's success this season. The majority of their perceived starting offensive line will be made up of members of this class. Schrauth, Wagner and Craig will have to anchor this offensive line allowing left tackle Anthonie Knapp and right guard Charles Jagusah to learn and grow in their positions. Price and Payne are valuable assets to a loaded running back room and Raridon has the opportunity to be a star. This class's success will help dictate the outcome of the 2025 season for the Irish.