Notre Dame's offensive line goes through another reshuffling. What will the starting lineup look like for the Fighting Irish for 2026?
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive line appeared settled heading into fall camp, with the right guard spot serving as the only real source of intrigue.
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That picture has shifted over the last couple of weeks for head coach Marcus Freeman
and offensive line coach Joe Rudolph
, and the movement traces back to an injury that reshuffled the depth chart and opened the door for a creative solution.
Redshirt freshman Matty Augustine
was expected to compete for the right guard job alongside Sullivan Absher
, a spot fully vacated by Charles Jagusah
. The redshirt junior, considered one of the more talented players in that room, is still dealing with repercussions from his offseason injury that has led to infection and nerve issues.
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When Augustine went down, most assumed this would become a straightforward camp battle with Absher sliding into the vacated right guard spot.
Absher started a good bit there last season due to injury. Beyond him, the rest of the projected lineup felt clean: redshirt freshman Will Black
at left tackle, two-year starter Anthonie Knapp
shifting from left tackle to left guard, Ashton Craig
at center once fully healthy, Joe Otting
holding that center spot in the interim (as he showed he could last season when Craig was hurt), and Guerby Lambert
moving from right guard to right tackle.
That appeared to be the natural settling point. Rudolph and the offensive staff, however, have introduced a different layer that could throw a wrench into the right guard competition.
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Craig taking reps at guard changes the equation
Throughout fall camp, Craig has taken reps at guard with Otting manning the center position. Whether Notre Dame ultimately goes that route remains uncertain, but as things continue to play out, it feels more and more likely that this is a legitimate option on the table.
The decision could come down to one simple question: Who impressed you more a season ago, Otting as the fill-in center or Absher as the starting right guard?
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If Otting is one of the five best perceived offensive linemen on this roster, that alone could justify shifting Craig out to right guard. Absher would remain in the fold as a valuable insurance policy. If Craig suffered another injury (durability has been a significant concern over the last couple of years), Absher could step right in as a player who has literally filled that role before.
Why Craig at guard feels increasingly likely
Despite Absher being a good player at 6-foot-8 and 320-plus pounds, this staff does not appear fully bought in on him as a potential starter. Craig is a player Notre Dame is very high on, and Otting's ascension last season only strengthened the case for finding a way to get both of them on the field.
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It does feel more and more likely that we could see Craig at right guard and Otting at center when the games officially start in a few weeks. The Fighting Irish head to Lambeau Field to take on the Wisconsin Badgers, and by then, Rudolph should have a firm answer on which combination gives Notre Dame its best five up front.
Only time will tell if this lineup becomes solidified or not. I don't anticipate Absher going down without a fight.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Notre Dame's latest offensive line shakeup could be foreshadowing the starting lineup heading into the 2026 season
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