This Guy Plays Notre Dame Football: #75 Josh Lugg, Offensive Line

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a roster full of players, and we want to talk about them all. One Foot Down’s player profile series will, once again, take a look at every single one of them, and hopefully, we all learn a little bit more about these guys, and Notre Dame’s chances for the upcoming 2021 season.

#75 Josh Lugg, OL

This Wexford, Pennsylvania native has kept his head down and is now the projected starting right tackle for the 2021 season. Lugg came to South Bend from North Allegheny Senior High School, which he represented in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He chose Notre Dame after receiving offers from Alabama, Ohio State, and other powerhouses. 247Sports.com ranked 4-star Lugg as the no. 121 player in the nation and the no. 15 offensive tackle.

Lugg saw no action as a Notre Dame freshman, but was able to get his feet wet on the kicking game as a sophomore, and had field time in all 13 games of the 2018 season.

As a junior, he proved a reliable resource as he stepped in for injured teammates, this was especially evident in the Virginia Tech and Michigan games. Lugg started in five games that season but got a false start penalty in four of those games.

Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After his showing as a tackle in 2019, Lugg spent time as both guard and center last season. He finished the season with three starts, including the ACC championship game, but he failed to cement things on that stage.

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2021 Outlook

The timing of a five-year waiting game and a new focus on health shaped Lugg’s path to the season ahead. As four Irish players head to the NFL, Lugg has had more room and more time to distinguish himself in the tackle position.

While there was definite shakiness to Lugg’s 2019 season, he found a comfort level as a tackle. This performance shaped head coach Brian Kelly’s confidence in Lugg’s execution of that role, as well.

At 6’ 6⅞”, 310 lb. Lugg is heading into this season with the size advantage, fans should also expect to see more agility out of him following recent weight loss and the resulting improvement of his back problems. With the current situation along the offensive line still very fluid, and the exact lineup is still to be determined in fall camp — it’s hard to say with 100% certainty, “this is where Lugg plays.” Still, given his history, and skill set it’s difficult to see him playing anywhere but right tackle.

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