Notre Dame Football: A look at the Offensive Line in 2020

First, the starter, Aaron Banks.

After a great 2019 season, Banks returns as the starter at left guard. Banks suffered multiple injuries last season, most having to do with a nagging foot injury he can’t seem to shake. Regardless, ND will be sure to get Banks heavy for the fall as he will be a huge piece to the puzzle if Notre Dame will be successful.

The California product has another year of eligibility in 2021, but he is a player that is difficult to project because of how disruptive his injuries have been. His choice will largely depend on how the 2020 season goes, but no one would be shocked either way whether he chooses to return for a fifth season or not.

Next is the human Swiss army knife, Josh Lugg.

Lugg has proven he can play just about anywhere on the offensive line, though left guard seems to be his best spot. He will not start this season because all five starters from 2019 are returning, however, he will absolutely be the No.1 guy off the bench if any of the starting linemen suffer an injury, which is bound to happen.

Lugg will be starting in 2021, but it’s hard to tell exactly where. Notre Dame loses both of its starting tackles and its right guard next season, so there is plenty of room for Lugg to slot in.

Sophomore John Olmstead fills in third. The New Jersey product redshirted in 2019 and will likely not see the field too much in 2020 unless it is absolutely necessary.

Olmstead was a highly-rated, 4-star recruit coming out of Saint Joseph HS in Metuchen, NJ. He is another guy that projects for a couple years down the road, but he has a good-looking future at Notre Dame.