On Wednesday morning, Rock Island, Illinois native Charles Jagusah made his summer commitment to Notre Dame official, signing a National Letter of Intent. Jagusah verbally committed in late June 2022, after entertaining offers from Michigan, Iowa, Arkansas and 13 other power-five suitors. By Rivals, Jagusah ranks as the seventh-best prospect in Notre Dame’s fourth-ranked 2023 recruiting class.
Jagusah receives a 5.9 recruiting rating on Rivals, in the middle of the “All-American Candidate” section on the Rivals recruiting grade scale. Rivals reserves that grade for potential day 2 NFL Draft selections. The recruiting service also ranks Jagusah as the ninth-best tackle in the class and the highest-rated offensive lineman the Irish have in this cycle.
It is not difficult to understand why analysts consider Jagusah one of the top offensive line prospects in the class of 2023. Boasting a 6-foot-7, 312-pound frame, the tackle certainly fits the physical description of an anchor in the trenches. Rivals Notre Dame recruiting analyst Kyle Kelly raved about Jagusah’s potential in an interview with the Observer: “Charles Jagusah has five-star, first-round NFL Draft talent.”
Jagusah will have a fantastic chance to unlock that potential at Notre Dame. Harry Hiestand helped close the deal on the four-star prospect’s recruitment. Hiestand can emphasize the fact that he’s produced several early-round draft selections as Notre Dame’s offensive line coach in his first stint with the Irish. And though he’s just one year into his second tenure, Heistand oversaw impressive performances of incumbent Notre Dame sophomore tackles Joe Alt and Blake Fisher. It was certainly an added incentive for Jagusah as he approached signing day.
Unlike many of Notre Dame’s 2023 commits, it’s unlikely Jagusah will be enrolling early at the University. Affecting this in no small part is Jagusah’s status as a dominant high school wrestler. The football star enjoys perhaps even more success on the mat in high school, going unbeaten the last two seasons. That stretch included a 41-0 junior campaign, capped by a 1A state title he’ll be defending this winter.
