Notre Dame Football: Way-too-early projected 2-deep 2019 depth chart

Offensive Line

Starting tackles: Liam Eichenberg (LT), Robert Hainsey (RT)
Backups: Josh Lugg

Given the versatility of some along the offensive line (most notably Aaron Banks and Tommy Kraemer), there’s always the chance that one of those two starters gets shifted outside before someone such as junior Josh Lugg actually steps into a full-time role in the wake of an injury to either Eichenberg or Hainsey.

There’s no real competition at either tackle spot after seeing both Eichenberg and Hainsey lead the offensive line in snaps over the course of the 2018 season (outside of non-returner Sam Mustipher). In fact, Kelly has brought up both Eichenberg and Hainsey when touching on the subject of leadership in his most recent press conference.

Nevertheless, few coaches will outright reject the concept of competition at any position this early in the offseason. What we do know is that Eichenberg and Hainsey are all but givens to retain their spots in 2019, and it’s more likely than not that either Banks or Kraemer get bounced outside should the Irish require emergency depth at the position.

Starting guards: Aaron Banks (LG), Tommy Kraemer (RG)
Backup: Trevor Ruhland, Josh Lugg

As it stands right now, both Banks and Kraemer appear to have a degree of certainty that their jobs at guard will be waiting for them come Week 1. With that said, Kraemer had his fair share of struggles last season and isn’t necessarily a lock at right guard in 2019.

Assuming Kraemer does retain the starting job, the likely backups at both left and right guard will be greatly influenced by how the battle for starting center is resolved. With Mustipher heading to the NFL, the Irish will be tasked with finding a worthy replacement. We’ll get into the nuances of that position battle in a second, but there are a few ways in which it can affect the Irish’s depth at guard.

Trevor Ruhland, still in position to make a play at starting center, would likely share similar footing with Lugg if he ends up shifting into a backup role. Walk-on Colin Grunhard and junior Dillan Gibbons could also be in the mix depending on their camps this spring.

Starting center: Jarrett Patterson
Backup: Trevor Ruhland, Luke Jones

As you can see, the versatility along this line really allows position coach Jeff Quinn to play to the strengths of his unit. On the flip side, shifting players every which way in the wake of injury can have a significant impact on the unit’s chemistry, tempting as it may be. Therefore, it’s important to get out ahead of these hypotheticals from the get-go.

Let’s take a look at how that applies to center. We know Ruhland has the ability to play guard (he challenged Kraemer for the position at points last season), but center isn’t a position you want to tinker with during the season. It’s easy to say you could throw Luke Jones or Jarrett Patterson into the lineup should Ruhland be needed elsewhere during the season, but that’s not a realistic expectation once the season is in full swing.

With that said, Kelly has hinted that it may very well be the sophomore Patterson who suits up at starting center this fall. Ruhland may have been the favorite for the starting job, but Kelly has cited physical limitations that may prevent him from being an every down player. Due to these limitations, Ruhland will likely serve as a patchwork backup with Jones as the long-term option behind Patterson.