Notre Dame right tackle Aamil Wagner declares for 2026 NFL Draft

The lynchpin of Notre Dame’s offensive line for two seasons, redshirt junior Aamil Wagner will forego his final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft. He announced the news Saturday on Instagram.

Wagner started 28 games at right tackle over the past two seasons, leading the Irish in offensive snaps in both years. He was one of two offensive players to start every game in 2024 and 2025, the other being running back Jeremiyah Love.

Wagner had one year of eligibility remaining, but he will not use it. His accomplishments at Notre Dame include being voted a team captain this past season.

“I want to start off by thanking God for giving me the opportunity to play the sport I love at a place like Notre Dame, surrounded by the people I love the most,” Wagner said. “The past four years spent at Notre Dame have been a remarkable experience and I wouldn’t change a single thing. The memories I’ve made with teammates, staff and friends on campus will last me a lifetime.

“Notre Dame has given so much to me and I was honored to be able to serve as a captain for the 2025 team.”

The No. 80 overall player in the 2022 On3 Industry Ranking, Wagner sat for two seasons behind Blake Fisher but became a starter in 2024. Wagner anchored a Notre Dame offensive line that endured significant injuries on the interior, leading it to the national championship game.

On the field, Wagner will be remembered for both his steady presence as a run-blocker and pass-blocker, as well as a fumble he recovered on Notre Dame’s final drive of the first half in the Orange Bowl.

After Irish quarterback Steve Angeli fumbled, both Wagner and star Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter had a shot at it. Wagner came up with the football, and Notre Dame scored a massive three points on that drive. The Irish would wind up defeating the Nittany Lions 27-24.

“I stripped it,” Wagner said. “I stripped it. He had it. I saw a bunch of hands at the bottom of the pile. I was like ‘I’m going to get the ball.’”

Off the field, Wagner was Notre Dame’s community and classroom MVP. He was a finalist for the Jason Witten Man of the Year Award, a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (the “academic Heisman”), a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy and a member of the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

According to Notre Dame:

“Wagner leads initiatives to improve the lives of athletes off the field, from youth athletics to collegiate student-athletes. He is heavily involved in the leadership of player development initiatives at Notre Dame which support in the areas of goal-setting, relationship-building, networking, leadership, financial planning and performance. 

“He also serves as the president of the Notre Dame chapter of Uplifting Athletes, an organization which supports the rare disease community and their families through local outreach, events and fundraising. Through the organization, Wagnerhas planned events and stayed in direct contact with families. 

“In addition, he is a regular volunteer at his local senior center, homeless shelter and church. He has also worked with Just a Pair of Shoes, which provides community youth a new pair of shoes, near his hometown. On campus, Wagner is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and Notre Dame Christian Athletes.”

Wagner was such a presence off the field that it caught the full attention of Notre Dame athletics director Pete Bevacqua, who had glowing words for the right tackle on the Dan Patrick Show.

“Aamil Wagner, who’s one of the most impressive people I’ve met in my life,” Bevacqua said. “Hopefully, after he’s done playing football, I hope he runs for president one day.”

Notre Dame has several candidates to replace Wagner at right tackle, which could require shifting some moving parts around. Freshmen Will Black and Matty Augustine are waiting in the wings. Kicking redshirt freshman right guard Guerby Lambert out to tackle could be an option as well.