What does Charles Jagusah’s injury mean for Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame? A look at potential options following star OT’s season-ending injury

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish received bad news on starting offensive tackle Charles Jagusah earlier this week.

On Aug. 5 it was revealed that Jagusah is out for the season after tearing his right pectoralis muscle during preseason camp. Jagusah was projected to start at left tackle, replacing Joe Alt, who was drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

However, Jagusah is opting for surgery to repair the muscle, which will end his sophomore season. The offensive tackle started the Sun Bowl in place of Alt, who opted out of the game. When Jagusah started the game, he became the first true freshman to start on the Notre Dame offensive line since Alt did it in 2021.

Following Jagusah's injury, here are potential options coach Marcus Freeman could use at left tackle to replace him.

Options to replace Charles Jagusah as Notre Dame's starting left tackle

#1, Sullivan Absher

Sullivan Absher is listed as the backup left tackle, so it makes the most sense that he would start at left tackle for Notre Dame following Jagusah's injury.

Absher is entering his second year with the Fighting Irish and saw some game action in the Sun Bowl. At 6-foot-7 and 321 pounds, Absher has the size to be a left tackle.

#2, Styles Prescod

Styles Prescod is the third-string left tackle, but if he plays well the rest of camp, he could leapfrog Absher as the starting left tackle.

Prescod was a tackle in high school but was recruited to play the inside. However, due to the injury, he could slide back out to tackle for this season with Jagusah injured.

#3, Guerby Lambert

Guerby Lambert may be forced to start as a true freshman due to the injury to Jagusah.

Lambert was a four-star recruit in the class of 2024 and was the eighth-ranked offensive tackle. He committed to Notre Dame, and it looked like he could redshirt his first year, but that may not be the case anymore.