Marcus Freeman says this group benefitted the most from ND’s CFP run

“Everybody loves each other. Everybody competes in like a healthy way. There’s no animosity in the room.”

Jeremiyah Love discusses the brotherhood within the Notre Dame football team ✊ pic.twitter.com/Sji9evPNxQ

— First Take (@FirstTake) July 17, 2025

Notre Dame’s magical run to the College Football Playoff national championship game last season is paying dividends in a variety of ways, including on the recruiting trail.

Marcus Freeman’s squad is well-positioned to make another run at the CFP, and ND’s national brand has been even more elevated because of last year’s success.

Freeman and six Fighting Irish players are in New York City this week for the program’s version of media day, and he appeared on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday. Freeman was asked which position group benefitted the most following last season’s run to the national title game, and he mentioned offensive line coach Joe Rudolph’s unit.

“I think as you look at our offensive line, we probably ended up starting nine to 10 guys throughout the year,” Freeman said. “Just through injuries, through different situations. As we go to 2025, you’ve got a group that all have game experience—starting big-game experience.”

Entering the new season, ND has several offensive linemen who have started games, including redshirt junior Ashton Craig, redshirt sophomore Charles Jagusah, sophomore Anthonie Knapp, redshirt junior Billy Schrauth and redshirt junior Aamil Wagner.

While Jagusah is expected to miss the start of the season, Freeman knows he can rely on his depth until Jagusah is 100 percent healthy again.

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Publish date : 2025-07-18 19:48:00

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