When Aamil Wagner signed with Notre Dame football Wayne High School back in 2021, the only real question surrounding the offensive lineman was whether or not he could bulk up and add some pounds to his massive frame.
Standing at 6-foot-6, he weighed 260 pounds out of high school. Now he’s weighing in at 290 pounds and showing what he can do with that extra weight. Part of “what he can do” is start. All 13 games in 2024.
“I think it’s just a testimony to our nutrition staff and our weight room staff,” Wagner said to gathered Notre Dame football media in the leadup to Wednesday’s College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchup with Georgia in the AllState Sugar Bowl.
Notre Dame football lineman has confidence in his talents
“They did a great job of preparing me for the season. Obviously adding weight has been an emphasis the last couple of years. Getting the opportunity to step on the field, it was important that I had the correct weight and the correct strength to be out there.”
“They’ve gotten me to the point where I feel confident and strong out there. I feel like I can take on anyone. We’ve played some of the best defenses in the country so to be able to hold out and for my body to hold out and feel powerful throughout was a big confidence booster.”
One of the reasons that Wagner has so much confidence heading into the game against Georgia is because he feels like he showed his team can handle SEC teams in the season opener.
“Texas A&M being the first d-line we saw with Shemar (Turner) and the guys they have, it was a big test to start out with. So being able to get that first drive, it was pretty successful being able to hold my own there. It was kind of, ‘I can do this.’ It’s confidence and just kept rolling from there.”
Now Wagner and the rest of the Notre Dame football team will need to show that confidence on the field. If they do, they’ll win their second round matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs.