ESPN Raises Eyebrows With Warning About Notre Dame’s Biggest Weakness Heading Into Pivotal Week 1 Clash This Fall
As the college football season rapidly approaches, every team is under the microscope, and few programs face more scrutiny than Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish enter the 2025 campaign with high expectations, bolstered by strong returning talent, a revamped offensive scheme under coordinator Mike Denbrock, and one of the most complete rosters Marcus Freeman has had during his tenure in South Bend. But despite the optimism, ESPN recently flagged what it considers an “area of concern” for Notre Dame heading into their season opener—a warning that has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike.
That concern? The offensive line.
In its preseason outlook and positional confidence rankings, ESPN pointed to the uncertainty and potential volatility along the offensive front as a key vulnerability for Notre Dame. While not a glaring weakness by national standards, the line’s current composition, youth at key positions, and questions about physical dominance against elite opponents make it a unit that could either propel Notre Dame to a playoff run—or hold it back.
To understand why this projection has created so much buzz, it’s important to look at both the context and the expectations surrounding this group. Traditionally, Notre Dame has been an offensive line powerhouse, producing All-Americans and NFL draft picks at a remarkable clip. The legacy of players like Quenton Nelson, Zack Martin, Mike McGlinchey, and Ronnie Stanley casts a long shadow, and with that comes high standards.
But in 2025, things are different.
Gone are several multi-year starters who anchored the line in 2023 and 2024, including standout tackle Joe Alt and veteran center Zeke Correll. Their departures left a significant leadership void and forced the Irish to lean more heavily on young, unproven talent. The spring gave fans a preview of what this new unit might look like, but inconsistency in protection, penalties, and lack of run-game dominance were recurring issues in both practice reports and the annual Blue-Gold Game.
Currently, the offensive line is being rebuilt around a few key returners and a handful of promising underclassmen. Sophomore left tackle Charles Jagusah is expected to step into the spotlight after flashing high-level potential in limited snaps last season. With ideal size and athleticism, Jagusah has all the physical tools but still needs seasoning when it comes to technique and handling elite pass rushers.
At guard, junior Billy Schrauth and senior Rocco Spindler are penciled in as starters. Both have been in the program long enough to know the system, but neither has fully lived up to the immense recruiting hype they brought to South Bend. Their ability to generate push in the run game and stay assignment-sound in pass protection will be critical, especially against aggressive defensive fronts like the one Notre Dame will face in Week 1.
The biggest question mark remains at center. With Correll gone, redshirt freshman Ashton Craig and sophomore Pat Coogan have battled for the job throughout spring and summer, but neither has separated himself decisively. Center is one of the most cerebral positions on the field, requiring pre-snap recognition, communication, and clean exchanges—any lapses here could cause a ripple effect across the offense.
Right tackle is expected to be held down by junior Tosh Baker, a veteran presence with the length and experience to hold his own. But like the rest of the line, Baker has struggled with consistency in past seasons. His ability to anchor the edge and limit pressures against top-tier pass rushers will be a key early test.
While Notre Dame does have the benefit of depth, including high-upside freshmen and swing linemen who could step in if needed, the biggest concern ESPN highlighted is cohesion. Offensive lines function best with chemistry and repetition—something this group hasn’t had the luxury of building due to injury, rotation, and turnover. With a new quarterback under center in Riley Leonard, who brings mobility but is still learning the system, pass protection miscues could be magnified even further.
Speaking of Leonard, his health and rhythm will be directly impacted by how well the offensive line performs. Leonard, a transfer from Duke, brings dual-threat ability and poise to the Irish offense, but he’s also coming off an ankle injury that limited him last season. Early pressure or repeated hits in Week 1 could set the wrong tone not just for him, but for the entire offense.
ESPN’s concern also ties into the quality of competition Notre Dame will face early. Their opener is no cupcake—it’s against a top-25 opponent with one of the most disruptive front sevens in the country. That defensive line is known for generating pressure with just four rushers, which could put immediate stress on a young Notre Dame interior. If Leonard is forced to escape the pocket too often or the run game struggles to get traction, it could snowball quickly.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has downplayed the concern publicly, expressing confidence in offensive line coach Joe Rudolph and the group’s progress throughout the offseason. “We’re young in spots, yes, but we’ve got the right guys in the room,” Freeman said. “It’s about trust, communication, and execution. We’ll be ready.”
Still, behind closed doors, it’s clear that this is a point of emphasis in fall camp. Reports suggest the Irish are dedicating more time to blitz pickup, situational pressure drills, and film study designed to help the unit communicate better under pressure. Coaches are also using different rotations in practice to simulate game-like fatigue and adversity, trying to accelerate the group’s development before Week 1.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has also adjusted his play-calling emphasis to account for the line’s development curve. Expect to see more quick-hitting passes, screen concepts, and quarterback-designed runs early in the season to minimize pressure and keep defenses honest. Denbrock is known for tailoring his schemes to personnel, and his experience working with mobile quarterbacks at LSU (including Jayden Daniels) gives him a framework for protecting Leonard while maximizing his strengths.
Recruiting-wise, Notre Dame continues to stockpile talent in the trenches. The 2025 and 2026 classes already feature several blue-chip offensive line commitments, signaling a long-term return to dominance up front. But for this season, those players won’t be ready to contribute meaningfully, placing added importance on development and health among current starters.
What makes ESPN’s observation so eye-opening isn’t that Notre Dame’s offensive line is bad—it’s that it might be the one thing holding back a championship-caliber roster. With one of the nation’s top defenses, a veteran-laden secondary, elite linebacker play, and a promising offensive skill group, the Irish have the tools to contend in an expanded College Football Playoff. But if the offensive line doesn’t gel quickly, it could be the Achilles’ heel.
Fans are understandably divided. Some see ESPN’s critique as an overreaction, arguing that Notre Dame always finds a way to produce solid line play by midseason. Others acknowledge the concern and point to recent big-game losses where the offensive line faltered under pressure.
Ultimately, the truth will reveal itself quickly. With a loaded early schedule and national eyes on their opener, Notre Dame’s offensive line will be thrust into the spotlight from the first snap. Whether they rise to the occasion or show cracks under pressure could define the season’s trajectory.
Until then, Freeman and his staff are embracing the challenge. The Irish may not be perfect in the trenches just yet—but if they can overcome this one area of concern, they’ll be positioned to make a serious run at postseason glory. For now, ESPN’s warning serves as a reminder: talent alone doesn’t win games—execution does, especially where it all begins, up front.
