ESPN report: Charles Jagusah expected to start at left tackle for Notre Dame vs. Ohio State

ESPN reporter Molly McGrath was spotted inside the Irish Athletics Center having a one-on-one chat with Notre Dame offensive lineman Charles Jagusah on Wednesday evening. Turns out, that chat was about more than just how excited Jagusah is to be a part of the national championship game. It was about just how involved Jagusah will be in that national championship game.

He’s going to start at left tackle, per a report from McGrath’s coworker, Pete Thamel, on social media Saturday afternoon. Thamel said in his post his source is Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman himself.

“Freeman added that it’s ‘going in a direction’ for him starting there, although final plans will come together on Monday,” Thamel wrote. “Jagusah had what was believed to be a season-ending pec injury in camp, but the season kept going and he’ll start in national title game.”

Jagusah has not started a game this season. He tore his pectoral muscle in early August. At that time, he was slated to start in the season opener at Texas A&M at left tackle. In the wake of his injury, he was replaced briefly by graduate senior Tosh Baker. Shortly thereafter, freshman Anthonie Knapp assumed the left tackle spot and held starter status all the way into last week’s Orange Bowl.

Knapp injured his ankle against Penn State in that Orange Bowl, and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman announced Sunday Knapp will not be able to play against Ohio State on Jan. 20. Baker replaced Knapp mid-game in Miami. Jagusah, meanwhile, played most of that game at right guard as a replacement for senior Rocco Spindler, who also injured his ankle in the middle of the game.

Spindler does not carry an injury designation into the national title game. He’s expected to start at right guard as he has since September. That left Notre Dame to decide between Baker and Jagusah at left tackle, and, according to McGrath, it’s going to be the latter.

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