Notre Dame Faces Intriguing Offensive Line Dilemma as Charles Jagusah Development Sparks Questions About His Role in 2025 Season

Notre Dame Faces Intriguing Offensive Line Dilemma as Charles Jagusah Development Sparks Questions About His Role in 2025 Season

Notre Dame football is no stranger to producing elite offensive linemen, with a long and proud tradition of sending maulers to the NFL and dominating the trenches at the collegiate level. But as the 2025 season approaches, the Fighting Irish coaching staff finds itself in the middle of a complex and potentially high-stakes puzzle — what to do with Charles Jagusah.

Jagusah, the former five-star recruit and one of the most heralded offensive line prospects in recent Notre Dame history, has been the subject of intense discussion in South Bend this offseason. Highly touted out of high school and viewed by many as a potential future All-American, Jagusah’s physical tools are undeniable. He possesses ideal size at 6-foot-6 and over 300 pounds, has natural power, impressive footwork, and the kind of athleticism that offensive line coaches dream of developing.

Yet, despite those natural gifts, Jagusah has yet to firmly lock down a starting spot on Notre Dame’s offensive line. His development has not followed the straight, upward trajectory many expected when he committed to the Irish. Instead, his journey has been riddled with flashes of brilliance, moments of inconsistency, and, most importantly, a lingering uncertainty about where exactly he fits best on the line — tackle or guard.

The staff, led by offensive line coach Joe Rudolph and head coach Marcus Freeman, is now tasked with solving this Jagusah puzzle at a time when stability on the offensive front is paramount. Notre Dame is expected to compete for a College Football Playoff berth in 2025, and their offense is built around a power run game and play-action attack that absolutely requires cohesion and dominance up front. If Jagusah can emerge as a star, it could transform the unit into one of the best in the country. If not, the Irish will be forced to make difficult choices, potentially sidelining one of their most talented linemen in favor of more consistent performers.

The issue isn’t a lack of effort or attitude. By all accounts, Jagusah has embraced the grind, worked closely with strength coaches to refine his body, and committed to film study and technique. He’s been a fixture in the weight room and has impressed in bursts during practices and scrimmages. But for reasons that remain somewhat elusive, he hasn’t yet put it all together in a way that commands a full-time starting role.

Part of the issue may stem from his unique skill set and how it fits within Notre Dame’s scheme. While Jagusah came to campus viewed as a prototype left tackle, there’s growing belief within the program that his best long-term position might be at guard. He has the power to anchor inside, the quickness to pull and trap, and the nasty edge needed to win the physical battles between the tackles. But moving a player of his stature inside comes with trade-offs — it affects overall line balance, matchups, and could even influence future recruiting.

Then there’s the tackle dilemma. Notre Dame already has several highly capable options at tackle, including potential early-round NFL draft picks. Players like Tosh Baker and Blake Fisher have made strides, and true freshman phenom Will Black may be impossible to keep off the field. If Jagusah wants to stick at tackle, he’ll have to beat out experienced, game-tested veterans — something he hasn’t consistently done yet.

At the same time, Notre Dame’s interior line isn’t exactly locked in. There’s a belief that inserting Jagusah at right guard could instantly raise the floor of the offense, giving the Irish a dominant run blocker who can create movement at the point of attack. Yet, there are also experienced veterans and younger players in the mix at guard, and the staff may be hesitant to make a permanent position change this late in Jagusah’s development.

Complicating the situation is the pressure of expectation. Jagusah wasn’t just another top-100 recruit — he was seen as a foundational piece of the class, a player who could anchor the line for years and carry on the legacy of past Irish greats like Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey, and Ronnie Stanley. When players with that level of hype don’t start right away or take time to develop, fans and media inevitably start asking questions. But the truth is, not every five-star lineman is ready to dominate in Year 1 or 2. Offensive line is a developmental position, and sometimes even the most talented players need time to find their rhythm and build the confidence needed to thrive at the collegiate level.

Coach Marcus Freeman has been careful in his public comments about Jagusah, offering praise for his work ethic and commitment while stopping short of declaring him a locked-in starter. Privately, sources close to the program say the staff is excited about his potential but wants to see more consistency. In particular, they’re looking for Jagusah to finish blocks with more authority, reduce mental mistakes, and improve his pass protection footwork — especially against speed rushers.

The upcoming fall camp will be pivotal. Notre Dame’s staff will use every rep, every 1-on-1 drill, and every scrimmage to evaluate not only who the best five linemen are, but how they best fit together as a unit. It’s possible that Jagusah could emerge as a starter at right guard, with the staff opting for his power and athleticism on the inside. It’s also possible he could be used as a “sixth man” — the first lineman off the bench who can play multiple spots and rotate as needed. But that kind of role, while valuable, may fall short of expectations for a player of his pedigree.

There’s also the long-term angle to consider. Jagusah still has eligibility left and may be better suited to a breakout campaign in 2026, after another year of technical refinement. The coaching staff must weigh whether it’s better to thrust him into the spotlight now or continue to develop him gradually with an eye toward the future.

One thing is clear — Notre Dame isn’t giving up on Charles Jagusah. They remain confident in his ceiling and believe he will be a difference-maker for the program, whether that happens this year or next. The puzzle, for now, lies in how to unlock that potential and put him in the best position to succeed.

Fans should also remember the history of offensive linemen at Notre Dame who took time to develop. Quenton Nelson redshirted his freshman year. Mike McGlinchey wasn’t a full-time starter until his third year in the program. Even Ronnie Stanley needed time to adjust before becoming a top-10 NFL Draft pick. Development isn’t linear, and for linemen especially, patience can pay off.

If Jagusah can make the leap this season, he could elevate Notre Dame’s line to elite status. With a powerful backfield and an emerging passing game, the Irish need stability and dominance up front. Having a player of Jagusah’s talent fulfilling his potential could make the difference in a season that may come down to a few critical plays against top-tier competition.

Notre Dame’s coaching staff continues to evaluate all options, but make no mistake — they view Jagusah as a potential star. The pieces are all there: the physicality, the intelligence, the toughness. Now, it’s about putting the puzzle together and finding the role that allows Charles Jagusah to shine brightest.

Time will tell how the Irish solve the Jagusah dilemma, but one thing is certain — the answer could have massive implications for Notre Dame’s 2025 success and the long-term legacy of one of its most hyped linemen in recent memory.