Tosh Baker (79) Looks on as offensive line coach Joe Rudolph instructs during practice August 10, 2024. Sam Pedleton (72) is on the left, Freshman Max Anderson (60)in on the right. Photo: Joseph Weiser
With the season ending injury to Joe Alt’s “heir apparent” at left tackle Charles Jaguaush, Tosh Baker,a fifth year season has ascended from second on the Irish depth chart to the starting left tackle slot. There were other options ND could have looked at, but with three weeks to go until the opener at Texas A&M, offensive line coach Joe Rudolph went with the path of least resistance, and the move most likely to result in chemistry between the five starters for the season opener. “Tosh has started games at both right and left. His understanding is outstanding. His competitive level and his care level is off the charts,” said Rudolph, this week.
The fact that Baker is even on the ND roster this season is actually a bit of a surprise. Experienced 6-8, 321 pound tackles entering their graduate season are in demand, and Baker undoubtedly could have gone elsewhere and all but guaranteed himself a prime role, not to mention an NIL bonus in some other program. But Baker, who contended for but lost out to Aamil Wagner for the right tackle spot in the spring, looks to be all in with the Irish. Rudolph touted Baker for his competitive attitude and decision to stay at ND after losing the battle at right tackle, “What I love about Tosh is he was like, ‘hey man, I want a chance to compete and take that back.’ He wasn’t like, ‘oh I’m leaving.'”
Baker came to Notre Dame in 2020 as the a four star recruit out of Phoenix, and was rated the no. 43 player nationally (247Sports.com). As a freshman he saw spot duty for the Irish. He then landed in the left tackle starting spot as a sophomore but remained for only two games when freshman Joe Alt took over the starting role. Since that time Baker has been a contributor at tackle and on special teams. In his four year ND career, and has appeared in 37 games and made four starts. With the opt outs of Joe Alt and Blake Fisher last December, Baker earned the start at right tackle in the Sun Bowl, and helped lead the Irish to a 40-8 victory over Oregon State. The Irish offense piled up 468 yards of total offense in the game.
The choice of Baker makes sense, particularly from a chemistry standpoint. Time spent playing together as a unit is critical in offensive line play. Other players, including highly regarded freshman Guerby Lambert or Antonie Knapp could have been plugged in, or the Irish might have moved Aamil Wagner over from right tackle and then looked to fill that spot. Another option would have been to try out red-shirt freshman Sullivan Absher, who has practiced at left tackle but is now at left guard. But the Irish coaching staff decided, that so close to the important season opener in what will be to a difficult environment at A&M’s Kyle Field, to go with the least disruptive to chemistry, most experienced option.
Rudolph summed up the decision, “the guys see him as a leader, I’ve got no doubt about his ability to step in there and do a great job.”
Next man up.