ATLANTA — Charles Jagusa's season was supposed to be over before it really began.
It was in early August that Notre Dame's scheduled starting left tackle suffered a torn right pectoral muscle, ruling him out for the rest of the year.
But he didn't see it that way. The sophomore envisioned a world in which he could return if Notre Dame advances to the expanded College Football Playoff, and approached his rehab with that in mind.
“That was my goal,” he said Saturday.
But no one could have predicted the past few months. Even Jagusa didn't start thinking seriously about it until the playoffs were announced and it became clear that the Irish would be selected. Notre Dame not only advanced to Monday night's national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but Jagusa's replacement at left tackle, Anthony Knapp, suffered a high ankle sprain in the semifinals.
Enter Jagusa.
He has been practicing at left tackle this week and is expected to start Monday against his favorite Ohio State, but coach Marcus Freeman said a final decision has not been made yet. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said Notre Dame's sports science team is confident Jagusa can play the entire game.
“It was great to see him on the sidelines and in the conference room putting in the work that needed to be done every day for when he had the opportunity, when he had the chance to contribute to the success of our football team. I was happy.’ It’s great to witness and see every day,” Denbrock said.
Jagusa played on special teams in Notre Dame's quarterfinal win over Georgia, and when Rocco Spindler went down with an injury in the next round, Jagusa performed well at right guard. In fact, he was rated the Irish's best offensive lineman in 57 statistics, according to Pro Football Focus. He did not allow any quarterback pressure in his 25 pass blocking opportunities.
“I'll do whatever it takes to win, I'll do whatever the team needs,” said the 6-foot-7, 328-pound Jagusa.
Jagusa tried his best to hide his excitement about Monday, saying he was going to treat it like just another game. But quarterback Riley Leonard can see how the offensive linemen have stepped up. After one practice this week, Jagusa came up to Leonard and said, I feel very good. I can't wait to protect you. ”
Freeman recalls that it started as a joke. When Jagusa and his parents were in Freeman's office after the surgery, the coach told Freeman he would see him again on the field in the playoffs. Jagusa took that to heart, believing that if he had even the slightest chance of getting back on the field, he needed to do everything in his power to make it happen.
“You really don't know what's going to happen. Life is uncertain,” Jagusa said. “We have to continue to give our best every day. The guys in our room are always ready to go. When the opportunity comes, we have to take advantage of it.”
