Sam Young doesn't look like a freshman at 6-foot-8, 305 pounds. He doesn't play like one either.

He is expected to start at right tackle Saturday night for second-ranked Notre Dame against Georgia Tech. He'll be the first rookie offensive lineman to start a season opener for the team since freshmen became eligible to play in 1972.

It's not a total surprise. Young, of Coral Springs, Fla., was the highest-ranked recruit in a heralded Irish freshman class. Coach Charlie Weis said his signing "put a smile on my face."

Weis hinted during spring practice that an incoming player might crack the starting lineup, but never used Young's name. Weis had measured praise for Young at training camp, wary not to put too much pressure on him.

Left tackle Ryan Harris, who became only the third Irish offensive lineman to start as a freshman in his fifth game in 2003, said Young is more advanced.

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"He's bigger, stronger and I think he's handling a lot more than was thrown at me when I came in here," Harris said.

Young hasn't been allowed to talk to the media since becoming the starter. Weis said Young hasn't done anything yet to merit discussion.

"You have to remember, this is a kid that just came from high school and is now getting ready to go start on national TV for his first game," Weis said. "I think part of your job as the head coach is to help protect him some."

Weis made all the freshmen available to the media for a half hour last week, though. Young was aware that only three Irish freshmen had started for the Irish on the line and his goal was to become the fourth.

"It's crossed my mind. I'd be lying to you if I say it hasn't. But it's a progression," Young said. "If they put me in that position, I'd embrace it."

The biggest challenge for Young coming from St. Thomas Aquinas High School to college was adjusting to the speed. There also have been challenges in practice against an experienced defensive line.

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"I'd say there have been some bumps in the road. I feel that I've done half-decent," he said. "I'm always looking for perfection, so I feel like I can always do more."

Offensive line coach John Latina said like all freshmen, Young was lost at first learning the offense and the terminology but quickly adjusted.

He had assistance from Harris, who watched from the sidelines in the preseason while he recovered from an undisclosed injury.

"He's been helping me learn the offense, learn more idiosyncrasies about playing football. He's really been a big brother to me in a sense," Young said.

Harris said Young is a quick study.

"He specifically aims to work on whatever he's coached on, so he's not coached on it again," Harris said.

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With Harris out early in camp, Young practiced at starting left tackle as well. He said the challenge helped him progress faster.

"No matter where you start off playing, coming in as a freshman you're going to get thrown into the fire from day one. I think that's one of the things coach Weis likes to do, see where you're at," he said.

Weis isn't too concerned about having a rookie start his first college game because the other four linemen have a combined 91 starts.

"I have four guys who have been starting forever that he's playing with. So if I only have one guy I have to worry about, that's not a bad problem," he said.