'24 GA OL Anthonie Knapp (Notre Dame Signee)

[T-Boone]

For his own sake he should be transitioned to center in the offseason. He’s obviously too small for NFL OT, and probably too small for guard as well. Doesn’t mean he can’t be a great center.

Sounds like we would have two really good center's next season.

 

[stpeteirish]

Sounds like we would have two really good center's next season.

More like three. I don’t think Craig is going anywhere and Otting looks like a keeper

 

[PutuporShutup]

For his own sake he should be transitioned to center in the offseason. He’s obviously too small for NFL OT, and probably too small for guard as well. Doesn’t mean he can’t be a great center.

IMO, ND has invested 2 years into Knapp at LT, and he is improving. With that experience and how important LT is, i doubt they move him anywhere else the next 2 years. I expect him to be like Hainsey a few years ago. Everyone knew he wasn't an NFL tackle but he was a darn good college RT. The nfl took him in the 3rd round with the intent of Guard/Center. I expect knapp to be similar. He won't be an AA LT, but he'll be plenty good enough to not risk moving him.

I would think next year or two the oline will be something like this. I'm not sure if they keep Lambert inside or kick him out. I know they really like the 3 true frosh Tackles. Wagner right now is by far the weakest link on the oline. He just can't move this year. Maybe one of the true frosh this year get moved to guard and beat out absher if lambert kicks out to RT.

Knapp
Jagusah/Lambert/Absher
Craig
Jagusah/Lambert/Absher
Lambert/Black/Augustine/Strebig

 

[2013Irish]

IMO, ND has invested 2 years into Knapp at LT, and he is improving. With that experience and how important LT is, i doubt they move him anywhere else the next 2 years. I expect him to be like Hainsey a few years ago. Everyone knew he wasn't an NFL tackle but he was a darn good college RT. The nfl took him in the 3rd round with the intent of Guard/Center. I expect knapp to be similar. He won't be an AA LT, but he'll be plenty good enough to not risk moving him.

I would think next year or two the oline will be something like this. I'm not sure if they keep Lambert inside or kick him out. I know they really like the 3 true frosh Tackles. Wagner right now is by far the weakest link on the oline. He just can't move this year. Maybe one of the true frosh this year get moved to guard and beat out absher if lambert kicks out to RT.

Knapp
Jagusah/Lambert/Absher
Craig
Jagusah/Lambert/Absher
Lambert/Black/Augustine/Strebig

Couldn't Wagner come back next year?

 

[PutuporShutup]

Couldn't Wagner come back next year?

He could but I think and hope the coaches let him move on with his degree. He's always ran a little funny, but he really is moving this year like he has a pole shoved up his you know what.

Not to pile on, but wagner has probably had by all accounts a bad year. At least, he's our worst starting Olinemen when he was expected to be the best after Jagusah got injured.

 

[Dale]

I would be surprised if the team captain and multi year starter is shown the door. Said it over the summer he wouldn’t go to the NFL when that thought built up, think the same in the opposite direction. IMO Wagner’s return is something you can pencil in.

 

[Dale]

The most likely sucks but could happen movement I would think is Craig, if Otting finishes the season strong. Best ability is availability

 

[PutuporShutup]

I would be surprised if the team captain and multi year starter is shown the door. Said it over the summer he wouldn’t go to the NFL when that thought built up, think the same in the opposite direction. IMO Wagner’s return is something you can pencil in.

Of course he's not going to the NFL because his film this year is terrible. I would hope he follows path with spindler and coogan. Coogan was the heart of the oline last year and moved on.

If wagner comes back, fine, but it better not be with a guaranteed starting spot at RT. I don't see how one of the 3 super talented frosh (this year) or lambert aren't better options at RT next year.

 

[Dale]

Of course he's not going to the NFL because his film this year is terrible. I would hope he follows path with spindler and coogan. Coogan was the heart of the oline last year and moved on.

If wagner comes back, fine, but it better not be with a guaranteed starting spot at RT. I don't see how one of the 3 super talented frosh (this year) or lambert aren't better options at RT next year.

The difference is I believe Coogan and Spindler had backchanneled their departures before they knew they would play basically a full season as starters. Heck Spindler had been considering it for years. Wagner has no reason to seek out a departure.

 

[PutuporShutup]

The difference is I believe Coogan and Spindler had backchanneled their departures before they knew they would play basically a full season as starters. Heck Spindler had been considering it for years. Wagner has no reason to seek out a departure.

Unless he see's his starting spot is clearly in jeopardy, as it should be after his play this year. Everyone remembers Miami, but his run blocking has been poor too, he's just not moving people. He's not playing physical football.

 

[2013Irish]

Of course he's not going to the NFL because his film this year is terrible. I would hope he follows path with spindler and coogan. Coogan was the heart of the oline last year and moved on.

If wagner comes back, fine, but it better not be with a guaranteed starting spot at RT. I don't see how one of the 3 super talented frosh (this year) or lambert aren't better options at RT next year.

Wagner has started in 23 straight games. Coogan and Spindler were in and out of the line-up and were riding pine at the start of last year. Feels like apples to oranges.

He hasn't taken a big step forward, but calling his season "terrible" seems a little over the top. He also seems like an awesome kid and leader. There is zero chance he is processed.

 

[Dale]

PFF (don’t use grades) has him down for 2 pressures, 0 hits, 0 sacks since the Miami game.

 

[gregm83]

Im gonna laugh so hard if he is a 4 year starter that has posts to be replaced nearly each week.

 

[brewdog_14527]

Wonder if being held out almost all of spring practice slowed his development this year.

 

[PutuporShutup]

PFF (don’t use grades) has him down for 2 pressures, 0 hits, 0 sacks since the Miami game.

What is his grade through the first 7 games? On3 put out grades through the first 7 games for every player

Wagner has started in 23 straight games. Coogan and Spindler were in and out of the line-up and were riding pine at the start of last year. Feels like apples to oranges.

He hasn't taken a big step forward, but calling his season "terrible" seems a little over the top. He also seems like an awesome kid and leader. There is zero chance he is processed.

I'd recommend if you re watch the A&M, USC, Boise, to focus on him. There's a reason a reporter specifically asked Freeman about his play this year and why it's not on the same level as last year. Freeman just said he has confidence in him and he's not comparing him to last year.

 

[Old Man Mike]

This team has an extremely young OLine room. Of the players who are actually considered OLine scholarship players, I do not believe that there is a single senior, and about half of the 14 quality scholarships are Freshmen. Some of the "unknown" Freshmen will surely turn out to be Studs. (This includes Lambert, who's for sure high potential development// Black, who lots of IE likes despite little but "stars" and high school but let's assume rises to expectations// and people like 6'8" Strebig, and 6'7" Jones, and the "runt", 6'2" Herron who has received praise for scout team center work. Hell, we don't know, maybe they're ALL great prospects.)

The point is that we're still Uber-loaded with EVERYBODY possible to come back. (We must find ways to keep the vast majority of these guys, as we know people will get hurt. Hell, we can randomly hurt one another, we're so powerful.)

If Jagusah's back and himself, he's All-American potential. I've seen plenty enough for that --- he THROWS people at times. I wish Billy would go one more time. Probably not, but NIL high enough? I wish Ashton would go one more time. Same deal. He needs it more. Players like Abshur are the ones for whom other teams will come poaching. If staff gives out the impression that Jagusah is LT, is it poaching season on Knapp? If enough are back, and someone like Black or Otting or one other of the hot commodity frosh-->sophs are hot transfer possibles, how do we keep them home? One could imagine anything, but what if the impression is given that we're going with Jagusah// , Schrauth if here, or Black (just to pick one)// Craig// Lambert// Wagner? What's Knapp think? Or Black, if it's the other way around? Or BOTH if Billy comes for one more go? What's Otting think? Abshur? High potential guys like Terek, Strebig, Jones, Herron, Augustine --- maybe even Prescod will get it going ... etc etc.?

We're going to lose some people. I'm going to make a sad guess that it's going to be too many for our security, unless the staff figures out how to retain in a circumstance which I could not blame any of them for searching a starting job. We're "OLine U" baby. Sadly it's both for us and several other teams.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Wonder if being held out almost all of spring practice slowed his development this year.

Knapp has improved significantly this season. He is not a concern. He's not dominant, but he was a big part of why we constantly ran left vs USC. Knapp did a great job kicking end out and Billy just bull dozed USC linemen. We didn't run right anywhere near as successfully even with Lambert moving bodies. IMO, teams are pushing wagner back on run plays too easily, especially short yardage.

 

[PutuporShutup]

This team has an extremely young OLine room. Of the players who are actually considered OLine scholarship players, I do not believe that there is a single senior, and about half of the 14 quality scholarships are Freshmen. Some of the "unknown" Freshmen will surely turn out to be Studs. (This includes Lambert, who's for sure high potential development// Black, who lots of IE likes despite little but "stars" and high school but let's assume rises to expectations// and people like 6'8" Strebig, and 6'7" Jones, and the "runt", 6'2" Herron who has received praise for scout team center work. Hell, we don't know, maybe they're ALL great prospects.)

The point is that we're still Uber-loaded with EVERYBODY possible to come back. (We must find ways to keep the vast majority of these guys, as we know people will get hurt. Hell, we can randomly hurt one another, we're so powerful.)

If Jagusah's back and himself, he's All-American potential. I've seen plenty enough for that --- he THROWS people at times. I wish Billy would go one more time. Probably not, but NIL high enough? I wish Ashton would go one more time. Same deal. He needs it more. Players like Abshur are the ones for whom other teams will come poaching. If staff gives out the impression that Jagusah is LT, is it poaching season on Knapp? If enough are back, and someone like Black or Otting or one other of the hot commodity frosh-->sophs are hot transfer possibles, how do we keep them home? One could imagine anything, but what if the impression is given that we're going with Jagusah// , Schrauth if here, or Black (just to pick one)// Craig// Lambert// Wagner? What's Knapp think? Or Black, if it's the other way around? Or BOTH if Billy comes for one more go? What's Otting think? Abshur? High potential guys like Terek, Strebig, Jones, Herron, Augustine --- maybe even Prescod will get it going ... etc etc.?

We're going to lose some people. I'm going to make a sad guess that it's going to be too many for our security, unless the staff figures out how to retain in a circumstance which I could not blame any of them for searching a starting job. We're "OLine U" baby. Sadly it's both for us and several other teams.

Craig, Billy and Wagner are seniors this year with a 5th year possible.

Jagusah, Otting, and absher would be a senior next year.

The plan was for jagusah to play guard and Knapp LT before jagusah got injured so I doubt they change that with Knapp starting to play much better.

Billy coming back would be a welcomed suprise. That would be a huge win having back next year.

Best case IMO is

Knapp
Billy
Craig
Jagusah
Lambert

If billy goes pro

Knapp
Jagusah
Craig
Lambert
Strebig/Augustine/Black

 

[2013Irish]

What is his grade through the first 7 games? On3 put out grades through the first 7 games for every player

I'd recommend if you re watch the A&M, USC, Boise, to focus on him. There's a reason a reporter specifically asked Freeman about his play this year and why it's not on the same level as last year. Freeman just said he has confidence in him and he's not comparing him to last year.

That's alright. I have a life.

 

[PutuporShutup]

That's alright. I have a life.

You posting on this message board says otherwise.

Something must be missing or lacking for you to have joined this year. lol

 

[ulukinatme]

You posting on this message board says otherwise.

Something must be missing or lacking for you to have joined this year. lol

128 posts for him in 7 months ain't super time consuming really. He's averaging ~18 posts a month, that's like one post every other day basically. He's got way more life than some of us

 

[ColinKSU]

Im gonna laugh so hard if he is a 4 year starter that has posts to be replaced nearly each week.

It’s the funniest bit in Notre Dame fandom.

 

[ulukinatme]

It’s the funniest bit in Notre Dame fandom.

I love going through some old recruiting threads, like Rees and Book. One of my favorites was someone posting "This guy will sit for 4 years and maybe gets to hand the ball off a few times on Senior Day."

 

[Old Man Mike]

Yep. Don't you love the humility?
I wonder if "humility" was ever the word in that word thread IE has?

 

[#1rish]

If he shifts to guard and takes a step forward in 2026, he'll be a day 2 pick. NFL teams covet OL and as as a result overdraft at that position.

I mean Blake Fisher (albeit he's a tackle) went in the 2nd round with a lesser resume than Knapp. No slight to Blake though.

 

[ulukinatme]

If he shifts to guard and takes a step forward in 2026, he'll be a day 2 pick. NFL teams covet OL and as as a result overdraft at that position.

I mean Blake Fisher (albeit he's a tackle) went in the 2nd round with a lesser resume than Knapp. No slight to Blake though.

I dunno...Big Fish was set to start at LT as a true freshman because he was an absolute beast (Although there were a few holes that helped facilitate that start). Then he got injured first game, Alt took over, and the rest is history. Fish was pretty good in his own right, and he did struggle with Clemson's elite rushers a couple times, but because Alt was such a freak it kind of downplayed that Fish was pretty damn good typically. He started 5 games last year for Houston getting in 15 games total, started 2 this year so far and has been in 5 of their 7 games.

 

[irishff1014]

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

PFF gave him a 73.3 grade as a run blocker. He allowed 9 pressures all season, including 5 in the last nine games. Allowed one sack all season vs Purdue. He has started 27 out of 28 possible games in his career. If he's not one of the ten best players on the team, he's inside the top 15 easily.

He was bad against Miami but apart from that he was as solid as it gets last year.

 

[Penick44@]

PFF gave him a 73.3 grade as a run blocker. He allowed 9 pressures all season, including 5 in the last nine games. Allowed one sack all season vs Purdue. He has started 27 out of 28 possible games in his career. If he's not one of the ten best players on the team, he's inside the top 15 easily.

He was bad against Miami but apart from that he was as solid as it gets last year.

I have heard he was sick during the Miami game...think it was heat/dehydration issues.

 

[rtrn2glory]

One thing MF mentioned at the presser is the staff planning to dive into how they can better perform early on in the year. I think after this year he knows that the margin for error is even smaller than we originally envisioned. hopefully whatever the issues are they can get it figured out sooner rather than later. I'd be curious to know what they find out after their research.