Shifting from tackle to center, Notre Dame's Sullivan Garvin embraces his demanding new role, rapidly honing his skills and playbook knowledge.
Notre Dame brought in an extremely talented offensive line class in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Six players will join the Fighting Irish offensive line room with four of them already being on campus for the spring. One of those standout players is Michigan native Sullivan Garvin who has recently transitioned to play center for Joe Rudolph and the Notre Dame offense. It's a new position for Garvin, but he's finding his footing at a rapid pace.
"It's been a change, but I really like it," Garvin explained when asked about his transition to center. "It's a new position and comes with a lot of responsibility, but I really like it. I think it's a position where I have the chance to be good at definitely and impact the team"
During his senior year of high school, Garvin played left tackle and dominated at the position. At 6-5, 308-pounds, he projected the highest along the interior of the offensive line and has started to turn some heads during his time on campus. He's greatly benefitted from getting into a collegiate weight training and nutrition program and has reshaped his body.
"I just want to get as strong as possible," Garvin stated. "Right now we're in the weight room; we're doing heavy singles on our power clean bench and squat. Yesterday, I power-cleaned 315. I think tomorrow we bench, and then Friday we squat. The last time I benched was 385, so I'm hoping to hit 390, 395, maybe 400. Physically for the spring, I just want to contribute any way I can to this team and help the guys whether that's on scout team or just giving the guys the best look that I can give them."
Garvin is also taking the time outside of practice and winter workouts to get in extra work at his new position. It's a major transition going from left tackle to center, a position along the offensive line that has a lot of responsibility. The Michigan native is taking the challenge head-on.
"Usually after practice, we'll get a few snaps up," Garvin said. "Right now, it's just me and Noah [Grubbs] and then Coach [Rob] Delaney were working on that stuff because right now sometimes my snap timing is off with the clap. So I've been working on that whenever I have the chance to get it."
The physical abilities to play center isn't the only transition piece Garvin has been working on since his arrival in South Bend. The playbook takes on a whole different meaning when you're the signal caller in the trenches. That's also been an adjustment for the talented true freshman.
"There's been a bit of a mental struggle because being now I'm the center, I have to identify the defense, point out who I'm going to, so there's more responsibility with it," Garvin explained when asked about the challenges of learning the playbook. "Learning the plays, there's a learning curve for sure, but I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of it and just really need to get up to speed as quick as possible."
This season, it's unlikely Garvin will get many on-field opportunities during the 12 regular season games. His impact will likely come down the road, but this 2026 offensive line class has the opportunity to be special at Notre Dame. Garvin is currently experiencing growing pains, but it's something he's prepared to take on.
"It's a new responsibility, but I'm up for it."
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