For Notre Dame freshman All-American Anthonie Knapp, revenge on Georgia would be sweet as sugar

NEW ORLEANS — Anthonie Knapp did not need the extra motivation this week, but the Notre Dame offensive tackle’s coach still tried to push the Georgia native’s buttons leading up to a Sugar Bowl showdown against Georgia in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.

After all, it’s Marcus Freeman’s job to get the best out of his players when practices become monotonous in the lead up to big games.

“It’s kind of funny, because Coach Freeman was like, ‘It’s personal this week,'” Knapp said. “I was like, I mean, it’s always personal, coach.”

If you don’t know Knapp’s story, consider just how much history he has made in just a few short months. Forget that he grew up just up the road from Georgia’s campus dreaming of playing for the Bulldogs, or that he weighed only 265 pounds less than one year ago.

Knapp is a starting left tackle, one of the most difficult positions to master in the sport, in his first year playing college football. So rare is that accomplishment, he’s only the third true freshman offensive lineman in Notre Dame’s storied history to start a season opener.

“Anthonie’s a unicorn,” Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph said. “That just doesn’t happen.”

Now a freshman All-American with 13 starts under his belt, he faces the biggest challenge of his budding career: his hometown Bulldogs. Is it personal? Sure, but that’s how Knapp navigates life as a football player.

“This might sound a little cliche, but as an offensive lineman, I think if you don’t take any game personally, you’re not playing the game correctly,” Knapp said. “You’re not playing the game to your full potential.”

Knapp’s story began as a 185-pound tight end in Roswell, Georgia, where football is king and practically everyone is a Bulldog….

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/for-notre-dame-freshman-all-american-anthonie-knapp-revenge-on-georgia-would-be-sweet-as-sugar/

Author : Brandon Marcello

Publish date : 2024-12-31 20:05:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.