When Charles Jagusah’s hopes of opening the season as Notre Dame’s beginning left deal with ended when he tore his proper pectoral muscle in coaching camp, others might have given up hope that the second-year lineman would return at any level through the season.
Jagusah by no means gave up.
To have an opportunity to contribute within the 2024 season, Jagusah wanted the Fighting Irish to make the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame complied, and now Jagusah’s first begin of the season might are available in Monday night time’s nationwide championship recreation in opposition to Ohio State.
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The return of Jagusah was an inspiring story for the Irish. He may be a key to Notre Dame’s hopes of discovering a beginning line that may preserve the sport transferring in opposition to the Buckeyes’ robust protection.
“I believe one of many first questions all of us requested ourselves was, ‘How unhealthy is it? How lengthy is that this going to final? Is there an opportunity we are able to get him again sooner or later?'” offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock stated Saturday.
“And then to see him daily put within the work that is wanted on the sidelines and within the assembly room simply in case there was the chance, simply in case there was an opportunity for him to contribute to the success of the soccer staff, it was actually nice to witness and watch that on a regular basis.”
Jagusah (6-7, 330 kilos) credited the assist of his teammates and the offensive line’s efficiency for giving Notre Dame (14-1) an opportunity at its first nationwide championship since 1988.
“Everyone saved pushing me to maintain getting ready like I used to be going to play,” Jagusah stated. “I had the chance… I imply, it is a blessing when you will have teammates that work so exhausting, like they did all of the work to get us right here.”
Jagusah performed a reserve position within the 27-24 Orange Bowl semifinal playoff win over Penn State after proper guard Rocco Spindler suffered a sprained proper ankle. Left deal with Anthonie Knapp additionally left the sport with a sprained ankle, and coach Marcus Freeman dominated Knapp out for the nationwide championship recreation.
If Jagusah will get the decision, it could be solely his second profession begin. His first got here within the 40-8 Sun Bowl win over Oregon State final season.
Notre Dame has not revealed its beginning offensive line. On Saturday, Jagusah indicated he wasn’t positive whether or not he would play guard or deal with.
“I’ve practiced each positions since I bought right here two years in the past,” Jagusah stated. “So for me it is like I can do one or the opposite and I’ll proceed to arrange for no matter our staff wants me to do.”
Jagusah’s 2024 debut got here on particular groups in a 23-10 Sugar Bowl win over Georgia. Denbrock stated Jagusah confirmed in his substitution position in opposition to Penn State that he was able to play.
“You know, coming into the Orange Bowl and enjoying the way in which he did, I believed it was a testomony to his preparation,” Denbrock stated. “We’ll see how issues go for (Monday), however he (has) had a extremely good week of apply and actually that entire offensive line did an excellent job this week.”
Spindler is anticipated to play in opposition to Ohio State. Jagusah and Tosh Baker are the possible choices to start out at left deal with, whereas Jagusah can also be listed on the depth chart at proper guard if Spindler would not play. Freeman stated Spindler is on monitor to play.
Associated Press reporting.
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