The expectations are at an all-time high for Notre Dame's offensive line in the Joe Rudolph tenure. The ceiling for the group is exceptionally high, and this season they have the perfect blend of top-level talent mixed with experience. The most experienced returning lineman they have is Anthonie Knapp who has made the switch from left tackle to left guard this offseason, a position where we believe he projects the highest based on his skillset.

Knapp started as a true freshman in 2024, again in 2025 and now turns his attention to being a leader of the group in 2026. Notre Dame's offense is poised for a big year, and if No. 54 is the player we think he can be, this offensive line could be special. 

Here is out 2026 preview and profile for Knapp: 

Class/Eligibility: Junior / Junior
Height/Weight: 6-5, 304
Hometown/High School: Roswell, Ga./Roswell

2025: 688 snaps - 11 pressures allowed, 1 sack (PFF) 
2024: 843 snaps - 31 pressures allowed, 4 sacks (PFF)  

CAREER: 1,531 snaps - 42 pressures allowed, 5 sacks (PFF) 

Knapp started all 12 games of the regular season in 2025 and we saw some much-needed improvement from the Georgia native last fall. As a true freshman, Knapp allowed 31 total pressures and four sacks. Last season, he only allowed 11 total pressures and one sack, albeit they didn't play in the College Football Playoffs in 2025. The season opening performance against Miami was bad, but Knapp wasn't alone in that conversation. There was some improvement against Texas A&M when he squared off with SEC Defensive Player of the Year Cashius Howell, but there was still room to grow. 

Things started to turn around in the fourth game of the year against Arkansas. From their road matchup with the Razorbacks to the end of the season, Knapp didn't allow a single sack and only one hit on the quarterback which came against Boston College. In five of the eight remaining games, Knapp didn't even allow a single pressure. If Knapp maintains that level of improvement and carries that over into 2026, he could be in for an All-American caliber season. 

Rudolph and the offensive coaching staff made the decision to move Knapp inside to left guard, a position where he has the highest ceiling based on his skillset. His overall ceiling in college as a left tackle was that of a solid to really good offensive tackle. Knapp's ceiling as an interior player is that of an elite player, capable of being a first-round NFL draft pick and an All-American. This spring, we saw the Georgia native make a very natural transition to left guard. There were moments throughout spring and the jersey scrimmage that he'll have to improve, but he was noticeably more impactful on the interior. 

At tackle, Knapp struggled to play in space, but on the inside, things happen much quicker, something the 6-5, 304-pound junior will have to keep adjusting to throughout fall camp. Knapp will also continue building his chemistry with redshirt freshman left tackle Will Black who will be the only first-time starter in the trenches for the Irish this fall. This fall camp will be crucial for Knapp and Black to continue building their on-field chemistry. Watching it come together will be something I intend on watching very closely. 

My expectations for Knapp in 2026 are pretty high. I expect him to go from impact starter to an All-American caliber talent. To some, those expectations might not be too fair considering he's walking into his first year at left guard, but with 27 career starts under his belt, no stage will be too big for the junior. Knapp has shown throughout his two years in the starting lineup that he's their most dominant run blocker which will be highlighted this season given his move to the interior of the offensive line. 

His struggles in the pass game will be negated due to the fact that he won't be playing in space this year. Knapp's struggles in the pass game had nothing to do with his physical abilities. He's a more-than-capable player in pass protection, he just struggled playing in space, something I don't expect to see in 2026 at left guard. 

I also expect Knapp to become one of the leaders of the offensive line room. There's several candidates in the discussion with center Ashton Craig returning from injury and redshirt junior Sullivan Absher stepping back into the starting lineup at right guard. But Knapp has more career starts than Craig and Absher combined and is the only offensive lineman they have in the starting lineup that's played in the College Football Playoffs. That experience is invaluable and will give Knapp the opportunity to anchor this very talented offensive line. 

One where he's considered one of the top interior offensive lineman in the country and plays at an All-American caliber. Playing at an All-American level doesn't necessarily mean you'll be named an All-American. If Knapp doesn't earn those honors on paper, that won't take away from his impact on this unit. With the departures of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price the offensive line will have to step up their game as run blockers and with quarterback CJ Carr returning to the lineup as a preseason Heisman favorite, they can't afford to take a step back in the pass game either. Knapp will be crucial to this year's success. 

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