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Notre Dame RT Aamil Wagner named top-five returning OT in college football

IMG_7504by:Jack Soble•about 10 hours•

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Aamil Wagner
Notre Dame offensive tackle Aamil Wagner. (Mike Miller/Blue & Gold)

Notre Dame senior right tackle Aamil Wagner is the fifth-best returning offensive tackle in college football for the 2025 season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Wagner started all 16 games for the Irish in 2024, all at right tackle. It was his first full season as a full-time starter, and PFF took notice.

“The Fighting Irish continue to prove themselves as an offensive line factory,” PFF college football analyst Max Chadwick said. “Immediately after losing two offensive tackles that were top-60 picks in Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, Notre Dame has another stud tackle in Wagner.”

Wagner anchored an offensive line that endured constant turnover; he was the only Notre Dame blocker who started all 16 games. He finished with strong PFF grades across the board: 72.2 as a pass blocker, 78.1 as a run blocker and 79.5 overall. He was credited with allowing only 2 sacks and 4 quarterback hits the entire season, and he committed only 2 penalties.

“He finished his junior year as the third-most-valuable Power Four tackle according to our [wins above average] metric, trailing only [Utah’s Spencer] Fano and [Texas’ Kelvin] Banks,” Chadwick wrote. “Wagner’s 78.1 run-blocking grade was also 17th among Power Four offensive tackles. He held up well as a pass protector as well, allowing just two sacks on 496 pass-blocking snaps.”

Wagner trails Fano, Miami’s Francis Mauigoa, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor and Colorado’s Jordan Seaton in PFF’s rankings. He joins Jeremiyah Love (No. 1 running back) and Malachi Fields (honorable mention wide receiver) as Notre Dame players recognized among the best returners at their position groups by the outlet.

For PFF’s full list of the top-10 returning offensive tackles in college football for the 2025 season, click here.

Who starts alongside Wagner on the 2025 Notre Dame offensive line?

You can lock in Wagner as Notre Dame’s starting right tackle, alongside fellow senior Billy Schrauth at one of the two guard spots (he has played both at various points in his college career). Junior Charles Jagusah, who played extremely well in the College Football Playoff at both right guard in the Orange Bowl and left tackle in the national championship, is a safe bet as well.

After that, determining Notre Dame’s best five on the offensive line gets a bit hazy.

Sophomore Anthonie Knapp figures to be a strong contender for a guard, tackle or even center spot. He might have to play center in spring practice with the presumptive starter, senior Ashton Craig, still recovering from a torn ACL. Sophomore Guerby Lambert, a former five-star prospect by On3 and an extremely large (6-foot-7, 323 pounds) individual, should compete for left tackle as well.

Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph has his hands full in choosing a starting lineup this spring and potentially fall, with extremely high upside if he gets it right.

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