The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a history of developing Pro Bowl-caliber offensive linemen, including Ronnie Stanley, Quenton Nelson, and Joe Alt. Anthonie Knapp appears poised to be the next standout up front for the program. Knapp started at left tackle for two straight seasons, then shifted to left guard for the 2026 campaign. This profile examines his strengths, weaknesses, and where he may best fit in the NFL.
Measurables
– Height: 6-foot-5
– Weight: 305 pounds
Background
Knapp joined Notre Dame as a three-star recruit from Roswell, Georgia, and was the 62nd-ranked offensive tackle in the 2024 class. Despite not being a blue-chip prospect, he earned a day-one starting role at left tackle as a true freshman. He stepped into big shoes, replacing Joe Alt, who was a top-five NFL draft pick. In 2024, Knapp started 15 games at left tackle and faced the typical growing pains of a freshman starter at a major program. He allowed 31 pressures and four sacks on 451 pass-blocking snaps. His season ended with a high ankle sprain against Penn State, ruling him out of Notre Dame’s national championship game against Ohio State.
In 2025, Knapp returned to left tackle and started all 12 games, showing noticeable improvement. He allowed only one pressure and one sack across 308 pass-blocking snaps. With a personnel change on the interior, he moved inside to guard for 2026. Through the first two games of his junior season, he had given up just one pressure and no sacks.
Strengths
– Run blocking: Knapp is a powerful run blocker who consistently drives defenders off the ball to open rushing lanes.
– Run-game awareness: He demonstrates the ability to work with second-level blocks, moving off initial assignments to pick up second blocks.
– Pass protection anchor: His anchor is solid, allowing him to withstand bull rush attempts.
– Pad level and technique: Knapp maintains good pad level and refined hand technique as a pass blocker.
– Football IQ: He quickly understands stunts and adjusts accordingly.
Weaknesses
– Arm length: Knapp lacks length, which pushes him toward interior roles at the NFL level.
– Athleticism and speed: He isn’t an elite athlete for the position and can struggle with speed rushes.
– Inside techniques: He can be beaten inside by edge rushers at times, particularly when playing outside his preferred position.
– Sample size at guard: While he has played guard, his extensive time at guard is relatively new, and more game tape is needed to fully establish his interior projection.
Draft outlook
The 2027 interior offensive line class isn’t expected to be top-heavy with elite interior prospects, and teams don’t typically invest premium first-round picks on guards or centers. Knapp showed strong performance on the left tackle edge in 2025 and projectively fits better as a guard in the NFL due to his length limitations. He is viewed as a solid run blocker with a strong, reliable anchor in pass protection, and his effectiveness tends to be more evident when inside.
Projection and potential
Knapp is anticipated to become a long-time starting guard at the next level. He started strong in 2026, but continued proof on the interior will determine his exact draft position. The expectation is a middle-to-late second or early third-round selection. As the season progresses, Knapp will have opportunities to compile quality tape against ranked opponents, including matchups against BYU, Miami, and SMU, as well as potential College Football Playoff appearances.
Additional draft context
For readers tracking the 2027 NFL Draft, other early interior-line scouting reports exist that provide deeper looks at players who could influence mid-round selections. These profiles help frame where Knapp might slot relative to his peers and how his tape against various competition shapes his career trajectory.
Notes
– The discussion above references Knapp’s on-field performance and playing positions through 2026, including shifts from tackle to guard and the corresponding impact on his draft outlook.
– No external promotional content or attribution notes are included in this version. All information is presented to maintain accuracy and context without external references.
