I'm going to include this in story form later ... but here is ND's history with freshman O-Line starters:
Ten true freshman offensive linemen have started games at Notre Dame, the first coming in 1995. Freshman eligibility was permanently restored by the NCAA in 1972.
Save for Sam Young (2006) at Georgia Tech and Blake Fisher (2021) at Florida State, none among them started the season opener.
In 52 years, there have been nine combined starts by freshmen at offensive guard. None of them at left guard. Quenton Nelson -- the gold standard -- was not one of those.
Here are the 10:
Mike Rosenthal (RT) 1995: The pioneer with three starts as a true freshman (at Ohio State, USC and at Air Force).
Brad Williams (RG) 1996: Two starts (Navy and Boston College). Rosenthal had moved to guard, and Williams started in the injured Rosenthal’s place after Williams played the first half of the season at defensive tackle. He then moved back to defense for the remainder of his career.
Ryan Harris (RT) 2003: His first start came in Game 5 at Pittsburgh as part of paving the way for Julius Jones’ school-record 262-rushing yards. Harris started the final eight games that season for the 5-7 Irish.
Sam Young (RT) 2006: The five-star prospect started 13 games as a true freshman right tackle and 50 straight by the conclusion of his Irish career, then a school record.
Trevor Robinson (RG) 2008: Robinson made three starts in November after an injury to starter Chris Stewart.
Steve Elmer (RG) 2013: Elmer, who walked away from football early, started early as well with four starts over the final six games, beginning in late October, as injuries mounted up front.
Robert Hainsey (RT) 2017: It goes down in the record books as just one start (vs. LSU in the Citrus Bowl), but Hainsey tag-teamed that season with Tommy Kraemer for the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line.
Blake Fisher (LT, RT) 2021: Started the season opener at left tackle, but suffered a knee injury and underwent meniscus surgery. He returned to start the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State at RT, with Josh Lugg out with an injury and LT Joe Alt having established himself as the No. 1 option at that position.
Joe Alt (LT) 2021: Played in all 13 games, initially as an extra tight end, technically, in power packages. Started the final eight games at LT after Michael Carmody and Tosh Baker struggled to replace Fisher.
Charles Jagusah (LT) 2024: After playing five reps all season heading into bowl season, Jagusah started at left tackle for the Irish in their 40-8 Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State, that after Joe Alt opted out of the game to prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft as an early entry.
Ten true freshman offensive linemen have started games at Notre Dame, the first coming in 1995. Freshman eligibility was permanently restored by the NCAA in 1972.
Save for Sam Young (2006) at Georgia Tech and Blake Fisher (2021) at Florida State, none among them started the season opener.
In 52 years, there have been nine combined starts by freshmen at offensive guard. None of them at left guard. Quenton Nelson -- the gold standard -- was not one of those.
Here are the 10:
Mike Rosenthal (RT) 1995: The pioneer with three starts as a true freshman (at Ohio State, USC and at Air Force).
Brad Williams (RG) 1996: Two starts (Navy and Boston College). Rosenthal had moved to guard, and Williams started in the injured Rosenthal’s place after Williams played the first half of the season at defensive tackle. He then moved back to defense for the remainder of his career.
Ryan Harris (RT) 2003: His first start came in Game 5 at Pittsburgh as part of paving the way for Julius Jones’ school-record 262-rushing yards. Harris started the final eight games that season for the 5-7 Irish.
Sam Young (RT) 2006: The five-star prospect started 13 games as a true freshman right tackle and 50 straight by the conclusion of his Irish career, then a school record.
Trevor Robinson (RG) 2008: Robinson made three starts in November after an injury to starter Chris Stewart.
Steve Elmer (RG) 2013: Elmer, who walked away from football early, started early as well with four starts over the final six games, beginning in late October, as injuries mounted up front.
Robert Hainsey (RT) 2017: It goes down in the record books as just one start (vs. LSU in the Citrus Bowl), but Hainsey tag-teamed that season with Tommy Kraemer for the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line.
Blake Fisher (LT, RT) 2021: Started the season opener at left tackle, but suffered a knee injury and underwent meniscus surgery. He returned to start the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State at RT, with Josh Lugg out with an injury and LT Joe Alt having established himself as the No. 1 option at that position.
Joe Alt (LT) 2021: Played in all 13 games, initially as an extra tight end, technically, in power packages. Started the final eight games at LT after Michael Carmody and Tosh Baker struggled to replace Fisher.
Charles Jagusah (LT) 2024: After playing five reps all season heading into bowl season, Jagusah started at left tackle for the Irish in their 40-8 Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State, that after Joe Alt opted out of the game to prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft as an early entry.
