ESPN Pinpoints Offensive Line As Notre Dame’s Most Pressing Concern Entering 2025 Season Despite Playoff-Caliber Roster Strength Elsewhere
Notre Dame enters the 2025 college football season with a combination of sky-high expectations and a roster loaded with potential. With Marcus Freeman now firmly at the helm in his third full year, the Fighting Irish have made major strides in recruiting, player development, and overall program culture. The team boasts an experienced defense, explosive playmakers on offense, and a new-look scheme under returning offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock that aims to bring more versatility and creativity to South Bend.
But for all the strengths Notre Dame has going into the fall, ESPN’s recent deep-dive into the program raised a sobering point of concern—one that, if not resolved, could be the defining limitation on the Irish’s pursuit of a College Football Playoff berth: the offensive line.
In its offseason evaluation of top contenders, ESPN noted that while Notre Dame has enough talent across the board to compete with any team in the country, the offensive line remains “an area of concern” heading into Week 1. The analysis pointed to a combination of youth, unproven starters, and instability as factors that could hinder offensive execution—particularly against elite defensive fronts.
This assessment has caused a stir among fans, particularly given the rich tradition of offensive line excellence at Notre Dame. For decades, the Irish have been considered one of the nation’s premier programs when it comes to producing NFL-caliber offensive linemen. Names like Quenton Nelson, Zack Martin, Ronnie Stanley, Mike McGlinchey, and Liam Eichenberg have all gone from South Bend to Sunday stardom. But 2025 might present a different reality—one that highlights the transitional nature of the position group and the challenges of replacing long-tenured starters.
The core of the issue lies in the departure of key veterans from last year’s team. Most notably, Joe Alt—an All-American left tackle and first-round NFL Draft pick—has moved on, leaving a massive hole both on the edge and in leadership. Alongside him, veteran center Zeke Correll graduated, taking with him years of experience in making protection calls and setting the tone for the unit.
In their place, Notre Dame is turning to a younger, less-proven group of linemen to protect Duke transfer quarterback Riley Leonard and create lanes for a deep backfield. And while there is optimism about the talent in the room, talent alone won’t cut it—cohesion, consistency, and confidence will be necessary, especially with the kind of schedule Notre Dame is about to face.
Leading the charge is sophomore left tackle Charles Jagusah, who many in the program believe has the makings of a future star. At 6-foot-6 and over 320 pounds, Jagusah has the physical traits to follow in the footsteps of Joe Alt. He’s powerful in the run game and moves well laterally in pass protection, but he’s still raw. With only limited game reps under his belt, Jagusah will face a trial by fire as he protects Leonard’s blindside against some of the nation’s best edge rushers.
On the interior, junior Billy Schrauth and senior Rocco Spindler are currently projected to start at the guard positions. Both have experience and a strong understanding of Notre Dame’s system, but consistency has been an issue. Schrauth, in particular, has flashed moments of dominance but has yet to string together a full season of top-level performance. Spindler, a former high-profile recruit, has struggled to stay healthy and carve out a definitive role.
At center, the battle remains one of the most closely watched in camp. With Correll gone, redshirt sophomore Ashton Craig and sophomore Pat Coogan have emerged as the leading candidates to take over snapping duties. Neither has significant starting experience, and both are still developing the communication skills needed to quarterback the offensive line. Whoever wins the job will need to develop quick chemistry with Leonard, especially in identifying blitzes and handling complex defensive fronts.
Rounding out the expected starting five is junior Tosh Baker at right tackle. Baker has been in the mix for years but has yet to fully seize a starting role. This season presents his best opportunity, but he’ll need to prove he can consistently anchor the edge and minimize penalties—two areas that have plagued him in the past.
The lack of proven experience is only part of the issue. ESPN also pointed out that, during spring ball and in recent practices, the offensive line has struggled at times to generate push in the run game and hold up against simulated blitz packages. This has raised alarms not only from analysts but also from within the program, where the coaching staff is well aware of the pressure this group will face from day one.
To counter these concerns, Freeman and offensive line coach Joe Rudolph have placed an added emphasis on developing chemistry and physicality during summer workouts. The offensive line has undergone extra sessions focused on double teams, blitz pickup, and game-like scenarios. Leadership has been another point of focus, with Rudolph encouraging returning players to take ownership of the room in the absence of last year’s veterans.
Another layer of complexity is the scheme transition under Mike Denbrock. The offensive system Notre Dame will run in 2025 differs in tempo, formation, and philosophy from last year’s setup. That means the offensive linemen must not only master new protections and blocking rules but also do so at a faster pace. Denbrock’s offense is designed to stress defenses with motion and spacing, which puts added pressure on linemen to execute quickly and cleanly.
One advantage Notre Dame does have is depth. The Irish boast a number of high-upside freshmen and redshirt players waiting in the wings. Freshmen like Guerby Lambert and Peter Jones have impressed early in workouts, and sophomore Aamil Wagner continues to develop behind the scenes. If injuries occur—or if the starting group struggles—the staff has options. But depending on young, inexperienced linemen in high-stakes games is rarely ideal.
The concern also affects the quarterback situation. Riley Leonard is coming off an ankle injury that limited his mobility during his final season at Duke. While he’s expected to be fully healthy, an unsettled offensive line increases the risk of pressure, hits, and potential reinjury. Leonard’s mobility is a strength, but it shouldn’t become a necessity on every dropback.
In the run game, the offensive line’s ability to create lanes will be pivotal for a deep and talented backfield that includes Jadarian Price, Jeremiyah Love, and Gi’Bran Payne. All three backs possess home-run ability, but they’ll need space to operate—something that wasn’t consistently provided in 2024, especially in key matchups.
Freeman has remained publicly confident in the group. “It’s a process,” he said during a recent media session. “We have the right pieces—we just need time and reps. These guys care. They’re tough. We’ll get there.”
Still, with a Week 1 matchup against a top-25 opponent looming, time is running short. The first month of the season includes multiple contests that could make or break Notre Dame’s playoff hopes, and any early struggles up front could prove costly.
ESPN’s identification of the offensive line as a concern is not meant to diminish Notre Dame’s overall profile. The Irish remain a top-10 team in most preseason projections and have enough firepower to beat any opponent. But it does highlight how fragile the margins can be in college football. One weak link—especially in the trenches—can impact every facet of a game, from play calling to time of possession to red-zone efficiency.
If Notre Dame can solidify the offensive line, the sky truly is the limit. The defense is elite, the quarterback room is deep, and the coaching staff is battle-tested. But if the line falters, it could be another season of near-misses and unfulfilled potential.
As camp continues, all eyes will remain on the front five. How they respond to the challenge could ultimately decide whether Notre Dame returns to the College Football Playoff—or once again falls just short.
