Notre Dame football: Irish could start two first-round offensive tackles in 2022
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team is loaded with talent in 2022, and their bookend offensive tackles both could be destined to be first-round draft picks.
Notre Dame football has long been considered “Offensive Line U,” as they continue to produce incredibly talented NFL offensive linemen. In the 2021 NFL Draft, Liam Eichenberg went in the second round to the Miami Dolphins and is fresh off a successful first season at the next level.
When looking at the 2022 roster for the Irish, they do not only have one possible first-round talent, but two, and both are starting offensive tackles. Blake Fisher and Joe Alt will be true sophomores this upcoming season, and after what they were able to accomplish last season, the sky is the limit for this tandem.
Fisher got off to a hot start in South Bend, earning the starting left tackle job heading into the Week 1 opener against Florida State. Unfortunately, he was injured during that game, and missed the rest of the regular season, eventually being replaced by a fellow true freshman, Joe Alt.
Notre Dame football tried numerous left tackles before landing on Alt, and in the end, he played so well that he was named a freshman All-American. Now both are healthy, this combination should keep the quarterback clean in 2022, and they both could be first-round picks when all is said and done.
Notre Dame football offensive line in 2022 will be elite
With the return of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, and the entire starting offensive line returning, this Notre Dame football team is going to be elite upfront on that side of the ball. Jarrett Patterson is widely regarded as the best center in college football heading into next season, and Andrew Kristofic and Josh Lugg are an outstanding combination at guard.
Also, the Irish have talent in terms of depth, with Rocco Spindler expected to fight for a starting offensive guard spot, and Josh Baker, Zeke Correll, and Pat Coogan returning as well. Within the 2022 recruiting class, four-star players like Ty Chan, Aamil Wager, and Billy Schrauth all join the fold this season.
Overall, the depth is there, as is the top-level talent, and in Alt and Fisher, the Irish could have the best tandem at offensive tackle in the country next season. Both men have another year of eligibility next season before being able to head off to the NFL, and there is a real possibility neither of them makes it out of Day 1.