ATLANTA — Charles Jagusah’s season was speculated to be over earlier than it may actually start.
It was early August when Notre Dame’s projected beginning left deal with suffered a torn proper pectoral muscle and was dominated out for the remainder of the yr.
However he didn’t have a look at it that manner. The sophomore imagined a world through which he may return if Notre Dame reached the expanded School Soccer Playoff, and he attacked his rehab with that in thoughts.
“It was a aim of mine,” he mentioned Saturday.
However no one may have predicted the previous a number of months. Even Jagusah didn’t begin critically desirous about it till the playoff announcement neared and it was clear the Irish have been going to be chosen. Not solely did Notre Dame advance all the way in which to Monday night time’s nationwide championship sport at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, however Jagusah’s alternative at left deal with, Anthonie Knapp, suffered a excessive ankle sprain within the semifinals.
Enter Jagusah.
He has practiced at left deal with this week and is anticipated to begin there Monday in opposition to favored Ohio State, although coach Marcus Freeman mentioned a ultimate resolution has but to be made. Notre Dame’s sports activities science group is assured Jagusah can play a whole sport, in accordance with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock.
“To observe him daily put within the work obligatory on the sideline and within the assembly room simply in case there was a chance, simply in case there was an opportunity for him to presumably contribute to the success of the soccer group, it was fairly cool to witness and watch daily,” Denbrock mentioned.
Jagusah performed on particular groups in Notre Dame’s quarterfinal win over Georgia, and when Rocco Spindler went down with an damage within the following spherical, Jagusah carried out effectively at proper guard. In reality, he graded out because the Irish’s greatest offensive lineman throughout 57 stats, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus. He didn’t permit any quarterback pressures in 25 pass-blocking alternatives.
“I’ll do no matter it takes to win, no matter my group wants,” the 6-foot-7, 328-pound Jagusah mentioned.
Jagusah did his greatest to cover any pleasure he could have about Monday, saying he’s going to deal with it like simply one other sport. However quarterback Riley Leonard can inform how amped up the offensive lineman is. After one observe this week, Jagusah got here as much as Leonard and mentioned: “Hey, how do you want me on the market? Feeling actually good. Can’t wait to guard you.”
Initially, it began as a joke, Freeman recalled. After surgical procedure, Jagusah and his mother and father have been in Freeman’s workplace, when the coach instructed him he would see him once more on the sector within the playoffs. Jagusah took it to coronary heart, believing that if there have been even a tiny likelihood to get again on the sector, he needed to give it his all to make it occur.
“You by no means actually know what’s going to occur. Life is unsure,” Jagusah mentioned. “You simply bought to maintain doing the most effective you may daily. Everybody in our room is able to go always. When the chance arises, you bought to make the most of it.”