Notre Dame Offensive Line Ranked As One Of The Nation's Top Units

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has been consistent with his belief that his program will be built around the lines. That should come as no surprise on offense, where the Irish are expected to have a dominant offensive line every season. The last two seasons have been up-and-down, but Notre Dame is expected to get back to its dominant ways this season.

Phil Steele certainly sees it that way, and that is why he ranked the Notre Dame offensive line as the third best unit heading into the 2025 season. Steele is very high on the Irish blockers.

"This group could eclipse '24, when ND was 7th in FBS ypc (5.7) and was a Joe Moore semifinalist. C Ashton Craig and RG Charles Jagusah are healthy again. Frosh phenom Anthonie Knapp has matured. RT Aamil Wagner is generating NFL buzz." - Phil Steele

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Notre Dame went into the 2024 season opener against Texas A&M with just six combined starts up front. Four of the starters from that game returns, and barring any further injuries the Irish will enter the Miami (Fla.) game with 53 career starts. Left tackle Anthonie Knapp and right tackle Aamil Wagner combined for 31 starts last season and the duo is expected to take a big leap in 2025.

Getting Billy Schrauth back to full speed is a must. Over the last two seasons Notre Dame has averaged 212.3 rushing yards per game and 5.8 yards per carry in Schrauth's 15 starts, while averaging just 174.6 yards per game and 5.1 yards per game in the 14 games without him in the lineup. That's not a coincidence.

Notre Dame has averaged 239.5 rushing yards per game and 6.2 yards per carry in the six starts that center Ashton Craig has made. Keeping both him and Schrauth healthy is a key for Notre Dame this season.

Obviously Notre Dame's line suffered a blow when Charles Jagusah was lost with a broken arm. Jagusah is expected to return at some point this season, but when that occurs remains a question mark. That certainly dampens things a tad up front but the line returns a lot of talent, including the blockers behind the expected starters.

With Jagusah out it is expected that massive rising junior Sullivan Absher will step into the starting lineup. There will certainly be a competition in fall camp, but Absher has a strong shot to win the job.

Four Notre Dame opponents also made Steele's Top 25 offensive line rankings. Texas A&M ranked No. 4, Miami (Fla.) ranked No. 6, Boise State ranked No. 11 and Arkansas ranked No. 24.