Notre Dame football has one move that they need to make in order to fix two crucial problems for the Fighting Irish offense 

It was just one game, but the Notre Dame offensive line laid a massive goose egg against the talented Miami Hurricane defensive line on Sunday night. Despite returning starters Anthonie Knapp, Billy Schrauth, Ashton Craig, and Aamil Wagner, Joe Rudolph’s group underwhelmed in primetime. It was troubling to see.

The Fighting Irish received some difficult news earlier this offseason when Charles Jagusah suffered an arm injury that would cost him a part of the season. There has still not been an exact timeline for the Jagusah return, but he is expected back sometime this fall. Judging by what we saw during the team’s 27 to 24 loss to the Hurricanes down in Hard Rock Stadium, they need him back desperately. 

Whenever Jagusah does return to action, most believe he will slide back into his starting right guard position. It’s becoming very evident that it wouldn't be the best move for him. In order for Coach Rudolph, and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to get the most out of the offensive unit this season, Jagusah needs to return back to left tackle. That’s a move that would potentially upgrade two different positions, at least in theory. 

First and foremost, the Fighting Irish need to find a real answer at left tackle. Knapp should be a part of this offensive line, and an important piece. It’s just become painfully obvious that he isn’t comfortable on an island in pass protection. The Georgia native is best when he gets hands on defenders early, and utilizes his raw strength and movement skills. 

From a size, length, and athleticism perspective, Jagusah has all the tools to be a very good offensive tackle on the college level. We have even seen that upside in a couple of starts so far in his career. Yes, he’s also a dominant player inside at guard potentially, but left tackle is just a more important position. Not only is his floor higher than Knapp’s on the blindside, but so is his ceiling. 

If Jagusah were to move back to left tackle hypothetically, that also could provide a solution at right guard as well. The duo of Guerby Lambert and Sullivan Absher struggled mightily on Sunday night against Miami, and you could argue that position was even worse than left tackle. In an ideal world, you could move Knapp inside where he fits best, and would potentially excel moving forward. 

It might be slightly hyperbolic, but the return of Jagusah could be the ultimate fix for this overarching offensive line problem. At the end of the day, we have no idea if Coach Rudolph would be open to this move, but he should be. The upside of the move is so easy to see. 

We are still waiting to hear when the return of Jagusah might be on the horizon. For the sake of this Fighting Irish program, let’s hope it comes sooner rather than later. Whenever it does happen, big No. 56 better be manning the blindside. This will show whether Rudolph is open to change for the better, or if his love for Knapp at left tackle blinds him.