ATLANTA — Charles Jagusah’s season was supposed to be over before it could really begin.
It was early August when Notre Dame’s projected starting left tackle suffered a torn right pectoral muscle and was ruled out for the rest of the year.
But he didn’t look at it that way. The sophomore imagined a world in which he could return if Notre Dame reached the expanded College Football Playoff, and he attacked his rehab with that in mind.
“It was a goal of mine,” he said Saturday.
But nobody could have predicted the past several months. Even Jagusah didn’t start seriously thinking about it until the playoff announcement neared and it was clear the Irish were going to be selected. Not only did Notre Dame advance all the way to Monday night’s national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but Jagusah’s replacement at left tackle, Anthonie Knapp, suffered a high ankle sprain in the semifinals.
Enter Jagusah.
He has practiced at left tackle this week and is expected to start there Monday against favored Ohio State, though coach Marcus Freeman said a final decision has yet to be made. Notre Dame’s sports science team is confident Jagusah can play an entire game, according to offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock.
“To watch him every day put in the work necessary on the sideline and in the meeting room just in case there was an opportunity, just in case there was a chance for him to possibly contribute to the success of the football team, it was pretty cool to witness and watch every day,” Denbrock said.
Jagusah played on special teams in Notre Dame’s quarterfinal win over Georgia, and when Rocco Spindler went down with an injury in the following round, Jagusah performed well at right guard. In fact, he graded out as the Irish’s best offensive lineman across 57 stats, according to Pro Football Focus. He didn’t allow any quarterback pressures in 25 pass-blocking opportunities.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win, whatever my team needs,” the 6-foot-7, 328-pound Jagusah said.
Jagusah did his best to hide any excitement he may have about Monday, saying he is going to treat it like just another game. But quarterback Riley Leonard can tell how amped up the offensive lineman is. After one practice this week, Jagusah came up to Leonard and said: “Hey, how do you like me out there? Feeling really good. Can’t wait to protect you.”
Initially, it started as a joke, Freeman recalled. After surgery, Jagusah and his parents were in Freeman’s office, when the coach told him he would see him again on the field in the playoffs. Jagusah took it to heart, believing that if there were even a tiny chance to get back on the field, he had to give it his all to make it happen.
“You never really know what’s going to happen. Life is uncertain,” Jagusah said. “You just got to keep doing the best you can every day. Everyone in our room is ready to go at all times. When the opportunity arises, you got to take advantage of it.”
