The Way Too Early Starting Lineups for 2025

[Dale]

Jagusah - Schrauth - Craig - Knapp - Wagner


Lambert - Jagusah - Knapp - Schrauth - Wagner

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Jagusah - Schrauth - Craig - Knapp - Wagner


Lambert - Jagusah - Knapp - Schrauth - Wagner

Flashbacks of 2017’s “run left” offense.

 

[NDpendent]

Jagusah - Schrauth - Craig - Knapp - Wagner


Lambert - Jagusah - Knapp - Schrauth - Wagner

Love Knapp under center, feels like that is where he will fit the best

 

[notredomer23]

Love Knapp under center, feels like that is where he will fit the best

Came to say this. Pretty sure it’s where Rudolph always envisioned him

 

[GowerND11]

Love Knapp under center, feels like that is where he will fit the best

New QB sneak formation?

 

[KPENN]

Lambert - Jagusah - Knapp - Schrauth - Wagner

Love and Price running behind this line

 

[Giddyup]

Pendleton couldn’t even snap the ball. Hopefully Knapp has it down if they move him to a position he’s never played before.

 

[IrishLax]

Knowing that the Miami game is now at night on the road (seriously, I don't know how/why we agreed to this shit when they noped out of a return trip after 2017) and there is a short week heading into Texas A&M... do we really think they're going to throw CJ Carr out there instead of Angeli? The night game environment in 2017 was all time "noise"

 

[KPENN]

Knowing that the Miami game is now at night on the road (seriously, I don't know how/why we agreed to this shit when they noped out of a return trip after 2017) and there is a short week heading into Texas A&M... do we really think they're going to throw CJ Carr out there instead of Angeli? The night game environment in 2017 was all time "noise"

Texas A&M is week 3

Also, I have a hard time believing the atmosphere will be anything like 2017. That was just a perfect storm.

 

[Dale]

Will Carson Beck play?

ND has no excuse really to not beat Emory Williams and their roster as a whole is less than scary

 

[Henges24]

Texas A&M is week 3

Thought it was week 2, but you are correct.

There is a bye between.

 

[RECON Daddy]

Knowing that the Miami game is now at night on the road (seriously, I don't know how/why we agreed to this shit when they noped out of a return trip after 2017) and there is a short week heading into Texas A&M... do we really think they're going to throw CJ Carr out there instead of Angeli? The night game environment in 2017 was all time "noise"

Isn't TAM on 9/13?

 

[Bane]

Knowing that the Miami game is now at night on the road (seriously, I don't know how/why we agreed to this shit when they noped out of a return trip after 2017) and there is a short week heading into Texas A&M... do we really think they're going to throw CJ Carr out there instead of Angeli? The night game environment in 2017 was all time "noise"

You have to roll with the QB that gives you the best chance to win throughout the whole season. I live in fear of another Ian Book situation. No slander to the kid at all, but he had a hard ceiling, and it was just good enough to never have his job in question, but not good enough to win in the big moments. Angeli could be that way.

Besides, losing in the first week in the age of the 12 team playoff isn't the end of the world anymore. Long ways away though, we'll see what it looks like in 8 months.

 

[ViewsFromTheDome]

Why do yall think Stroman starts? From what I could find he was in and out the starting lineup in 22 & 23. Missed all of 24. He never even made honorable mention all ACC.

Why would he be expected to start over Talich or Minich or Urlacher?

 

[NDQuebec]

I said it was a pipe dream!! 🤣

Thought it was week 2, but you are correct.

There is a bye between.

I thought that the Saturday in between was a game with opps yet to be determined.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Why do yall think Stroman starts? From what I could find he was in and out the starting lineup in 22 & 23. Missed all of 24. He never even made honorable mention all ACC.

Why would he be expected to start over Talich or Minich or Urlacher?

From all accounts talked about, Stroman had draftable grades in the NFL Scouting Community after the '23 season. One or two even mentioned as a Day 2 pick. A lot of players will get the designation during the pre-season, so in his case, even if it's a little embellished or whatnot, he's a NFL player.

I wouldn't say it's a guarantee that he starts, but his addition to the room was to bring in a seasoned veteran that has played a lot of football (36 games in his career), and would push for a starting job, and furthermore, help push the competition in the room. Very similar to Rod Heard this past off-season. Heard was the assumed starter in case a player like Shuler may not have been completely ready to handle the responsibility of a full-time starter, but Shuler was, and ND got a really solid veteran depth piece in Heard.

I also have a sneaky suspicion, and it's somewhat unrelated, but I wouldn't be surprised if Brauntae Johnson trots out with the second-team at CB during the first days of spring practice.

 

[irishff1014]

Why do yall think Stroman starts? From what I could find he was in and out the starting lineup in 22 & 23. Missed all of 24. He never even made honorable mention all ACC.

Why would he be expected to start over Talich or Minich or Urlacher?

Looks like he was a good ball player last season got hurt early. Experience with Mickens cleaning things up. Not bad to have.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Jagusah - Schrauth - Craig - Knapp - Wagner


Lambert - Jagusah - Knapp - Schrauth - Wagner

If Lambert can play like Jag did in the chamionship game, then this looks like the highest upside OL we could piece together right now. But guys make unforeseen moves in the spring/summer so maybe Absher, Otting, Prescod, Jones or one of the freshman can make it a fight.

Knowing that the Miami game is now at night on the road (seriously, I don't know how/why we agreed to this shit when they noped out of a return trip after 2017) and there is a short week heading into Texas A&M... do we really think they're going to throw CJ Carr out there instead of Angeli? The night game environment in 2017 was all time "noise"

I really do think that. I go back to last year's sping game when it looked very obvious that CJ was dissecting the defense incredibly fast for a 'just-stepped on campus' EE freshman. Now that he's had time to learn the offense and develop, assuming no setbacks, I think he'll be the clearcut winner.

I think Angeli will make it a serious competition. Carr has 2 advantages as far as my untrained eyes can see:

• Quicker release but Angeli looked good against PSU
• Athleticism to pick up a key first down if there's nothing open on a play or extend the play by rolling out

I wanted to say Carr throws a better deep ball but Angeli hit some nice shots in the Sun Bowl and I can't forget that. This is our best possible situation. A player who has been in high-pressure moments and delivered and the heralded RS freshman QB with tons of upside.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Majority of our starters in the championship were Freshman or Sophomores the future is bright.

 

[NDFAN2008]

From all accounts talked about, Stroman had draftable grades in the NFL Scouting Community after the '23 season. One or two even mentioned as a Day 2 pick. A lot of players will get the designation during the pre-season, so in his case, even if it's a little embellished or whatnot, he's a NFL player.

I wouldn't say it's a guarantee that he starts, but his addition to the room was to bring in a seasoned veteran that has played a lot of football (36 games in his career), and would push for a starting job, and furthermore, help push the competition in the room. Very similar to Rod Heard this past off-season. Heard was the assumed starter in case a player like Shuler may not have been completely ready to handle the responsibility of a full-time starter, but Shuler was, and ND got a really solid veteran depth piece in Heard.

I also have a sneaky suspicion, and it's somewhat unrelated, but I wouldn't be surprised if Brauntae Johnson trots out with the second-team at CB during the first days of spring practice.

I think Johnson and Hobbs will play a good amount next year.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I'm expecting Cam Williams, KK Smith, and Gilbert to all be very productive next year I could see all 3 breaking out. These 3 will most likely be part of the 7 man WR unit. Williams may be the fastest WR on the team, KK Smith is a solid route runner and looked great in the spring game, Gilbert also looked great in the spring game had two long touchdowns just surprised he didn't play this year thought for sure he would.

 

[TheProspector]

I think Johnson and Hobbs will play a good amount next year.

Do we know if Johnson is officially a CB? Or is a FS who only played some CB this year for depth?

 

[NDFAN2008]

Do we know if Johnson is officially a CB? Or is a FS who only played some CB this year for depth?

No idea that will be interesting to see going forward also does any of the Freshman DB's coming in get moved to WR?

 

[Bane]

If Lambert can play like Jag did in the chamionship game, then this looks like the highest upside OL we could piece together right now. But guys make unforeseen moves in the spring/summer so maybe Absher, Otting, Prescod, Jones or one of the freshman can make it a fight.

I really do think that. I go back to last year's sping game when it looked very obvious that CJ was dissecting the defense incredibly fast for a 'just-stepped on campus' EE freshman. Now that he's had time to learn the offense and develop, assuming no setbacks, I think he'll be the clearcut winner.

I think Angeli will make it a serious competition. Carr has 2 advantages as far as my untrained eyes can see:

• Quicker release but Angeli looked good against PSU
• Athleticism to pick up a key first down if there's nothing open on a play or extend the play by rolling out

I wanted to say Carr throws a better deep ball but Angeli hit some nice shots in the Sun Bowl and I can't forget that. This is our best possible situation. A player who has been in high-pressure moments and delivered and the heralded RS freshman QB with tons of upside.

This is in no way a call out of you, I think the entire Notre Dame fanbase does this (myself included for sure), but why do we all collectively act like Minchey doesn't exist and the competition will be Angeli vs Carr? What if Minchey is a baller and wins the battle?

 

[stlnd01]

This is in no way a call out of you, I think the entire Notre Dame fanbase does this (myself included for sure), but why do we all collectively act like Minchey doesn't exist and the competition will be Angeli vs Carr? What if Minchey is a baller and wins the battle?

Because Minchey's been here two seasons and we've practically never seen him with a helmet on?

(But I agree, a lot of people are sleeping on Kenny. Would not count him out at all. Though I also don't understand why we didn't play him a little more in blowouts this season, especially after Carr's elbow thing. Would be nice to have a sense of what he can do.)

 

[peadeam]

Because Minchey's been here two seasons and we've practically never seen him with a helmet on?

(But I agree, a lot of people are sleeping on Kenny. Would not count him out at all. Though I also don't understand why we didn't play him a little more in blowouts this season, especially after Carr's elbow thing. Would be nice to have a sense of what he can do.)

Minchey has really been screwed honestly. If wants to transfer there’s no film for him to send out. He would have to compete from scratch in a new system. Angeli could probably start for a lot of schools. I’m sure a program like UNC would love to have him

 

[Dale]

Minchey has really been screwed honestly. If wants to transfer there’s no film for him to send out. He would have to compete from scratch in a new system. Angeli could probably start for a lot of schools. I’m sure a program like UNC would love to have him

How has Minchey been “screwed”

He’s a RS freshman. I doubt anyone promised he will be a starter or even the 2nd string by now. How do you know he would even expected that? It’s not NDs job to provide the roster adequate transfer out of ND film

 

[stlnd01]

How has Minchey been “screwed”

He’s a RS freshman. I doubt anyone promised he will be a starter or even the 2nd string by now. How do you know he would even expected that? It’s not NDs job to provide the roster adequate transfer out of ND film

I wouldn't say Kenny's been "screwed," but he hasn't really had the chance to show enough that any other decent program would give him assurances of a clear shot at starting (whereas I think Angeli could walk into a lot of lower/mid P4s with confidence right now). He'd be a QB2/3 somewhere else just like he is at Notre Dame right now.

Which is exactly why Kenny should stick, compete for our job and see what happens. If Angeli leaves and/or Carr doesn't work out for whatever reason, he's right there. And if he's on track to graduate after next season (he was an EE), he'd have a degree and two seasons of eligibility left to take with him if he wants to.

But it'd be nice if he could get on the field at some point.

 

[ViewsFromTheDome]

From all accounts talked about, Stroman had draftable grades in the NFL Scouting Community after the '23 season. One or two even mentioned as a Day 2 pick. A lot of players will get the designation during the pre-season, so in his case, even if it's a little embellished or whatnot, he's a NFL player.

Find it verrrrrrrry hard to believe he was considered draftable and never even sniffed an honorable mention all acc. I think that's more than a little embellished

 

[NDisme]

I wouldn't say Kenny's been "screwed," but he hasn't really had the chance to show enough that any other decent program would give him assurances of a clear shot at starting (whereas I think Angeli could walk into a lot of lower/mid P4s with confidence right now). He'd be a QB2/3 somewhere else just like he is at Notre Dame right now.

Which is exactly why Kenny should stick, compete for our job and see what happens. If Angeli leaves and/or Carr doesn't work out for whatever reason, he's right there. And if he's on track to graduate after next season (he was an EE), he'd have a degree and two seasons of eligibility left to take with him if he wants to.

But it'd be nice if he could get on the field at some point.

Case in point, if Gunner Kiel doesn’t leave after his Frosh season he most likely gets the starting job after Golson is suspended and maybe never gives it up