These words will sound familiar…
Sometimes I think fans kind of glaze over the departure of offensive linemen. Regardless if the player is transferring or leaving for the NFL — it never really is met with
as much concern as other positions. Maybe it’s because we look at the offensive line as more of a unit than a “room” when we go down the depth chart — and you wouldn’t be wrong.
Still, any puzzle piece missing is a puzzle that’s much harder to put together. Notre Dame’s puzzle along the offensive line for 2026 took a hit this weekend when starting left guard, Billy Schrauth, decided to leave a year of eligibility behind and enter the NFL Draft.
After Aamil Wagner announced his decision to leave for the NFL, all eyes turned toward Billy Schrauth. It had long been rumored that Schrauth was likely to leave, but until it happens — it didn’t happen. And now it did.
As with Wagner’s decision, I’m not thrilled about Billy Schrauth’s either. For sure these guys can do what they want and I wish them nothing but the best of luck, but this absolutely hurts Notre Dame. Like Wagner, Schrauth was a captain last year as a second year starter, but unlike Wagner, Schrauth has had to battle through injuries to get here.
If you’re keeping tack, Notre Dame lost its best two running backs, starting tight end, two starting wide receivers, and two starters along the offensive line.
I know there’s a tendency to want to believe “everything witll be fine” and in some regards it might even be true, but losing two captains on the offensive line doesn’t make Notre Dame better in 2026. Offensive line is also the least likely position where you can expect a true freshman to come in and contribute at a high level right away. While young guys have certainly done it in the past, those are the exceptions and not the rule.
Spring is definitley going to be interesting as we see how the starting five start to take shape.
