Joe Alt

Overview

The consensus around the league has Alt and Penn State’s Olumuyima Fashanu as the two best tackles in the draft with some preferring Alt’s length, polish,and production while others choose Fashanu’s athleticism. Alt is a 6-8, 322-pound prospect who can dominate with his length and technique. He started eight games as a freshman at Notre Dame then became All-American as a redshirt sophomore, when he surrendered pressure on only 1.1 percent of his pass-blocking downs. In 2023, Alt was a consensus All-American as he finished his college career with 33 consecutive games at left tackle. 

Strengths: Alt’s biggest strength is, well, being big. He possess an awe-inspiring frame and length that he converts to leverage. Alt's large wingspan and quick hands neutralize opposing speed rushes. His feet are controlled and smooth throughout his drop and when run blocking. Alt shows great instincts and awareness when facing stunts and twists. Has a strong base and good leg drive to push defenders out of gaps. His discipline is evidenced by committing only four penalties in his entire career. Athletics run in his family as his father John played tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs for 12 seasons, and brother Mark is a 10-year hockey veteran who played in the AHL and 20 games in the NHL.   

Weaknesses: As is the case with taller tackles, Alt can have trouble with leverage if he fails to establish immediate control. Most of Alt’s failures in pass protection are with stronger rushers who are able to get their hands inside to Alt’s frame and bull-rushing him. Alt also tends to slow down his feet in the run game, limiting his power and getting him off balance. Seems to lack the nastiness some coaches prefer. Rather that assert himself as a bully, Alt relies on his length, strength and technique. — P. D. 

Frankly: Joe Alt should be a plug-and-play left tackle as a rookie, but will have to work his ass off to reach the level some expect, which, based on his size technique, would be something like a Tony Boselli. If he doesn't reach his apparent potential, Alt might be more like Nate Solder and Eric Fisher, which certainly warranted a top-10 prospect in this draft. — PD, FC

2023 Season Review

Week 11: Notre Dame was a rude visitor on Nov. 25 against Stanford, bashing its way to 521 total yards, inlcuding a season-high 381 rushing. Alt had perhaps his best game of the season, doing his part to keep the pocket clean, albeit on a season-low 18 passes. This put his season totals after 12 games allowing two sacks and two  QB hits. Yes, he was a brute on the running plays.

Week 10: After a disappointing loss at Clemson, Notre Dame regained its composure against visiting Wake Forest, 45 -7.  The Fighting Irish gained 450 yuards, including 330 passing as Alt was once again near perfection during 66 snaps at left tackle, 36 on passing plays. He did allow one hit on the quarterback, only the second (also one sack) for the season.

Week 9: Clemson upstaged visiting Notre Dame, 31-23, through no fault of Alt who was once again perfecto at left tackle. He did not yield a sack, hit on qb or even a hurry on 37 pass plays. 

Week 8: Notre Dame trampled visiting Pittsburgh, 58-7, gathering 535 total yards. Alt was almost perfect on his 58 snaps at left tackle, including 30 in which he continued to shut out pass rushers. 

Week 7: In a 48-20 victory over visiting USC, Alt dominated as he lined up at left tackle 49 times, kept the pocket clean on 21 pass plays. -- FC

Week 6: The Golden Domers might have been pummeled by No. 14 Lousiville — and they were, 33-14 — but Alt had a terrific game. In pass protection he pitched a shutout, and he posted one of his better games this season in run blocking, though the Irish — playing from behind most of the game — rushed for only 44 yards. — JH

Week 5: It was a struggle, but Notre Dame managed to rebound from its tough loss to Ohio State, beating No. 17 Duke on the road, 21-14. Alt might have had his least effective game of 2023, responsible for allowing one sack and a pressure on QB Sam Hartman. — JH

Week 4: In Notre Dame's heartbreaking loss to Ohio State, 17-14, Alt logged 65 snaps. The big tackle was stout in pass protection, allowing just one pressure on QB Sam Hartman. He wasn't quite as dominant in his run-blocking assignments, but Alt acquitted himself quite well in the Fighting Irish's biggest game so far this season. — JH

Week 3: Alt may have had his best performance of 2023 in Notre Dame's 41-17 win over Central Michigan. He again did not relinquish a sack or QB pressure in 25 pass-blocking snaps — he played 52 snaps overall. Alt also played a central role in Notre Dame rushing for 256 yards in the Week 3 victory. — JH

Week 2: Alt kept his pass-blocking performance for 2023 unblemished as he didn't allow a sack or a pressure in the Irish's 45-24 win over North Carolina State. The left tackle played 60 total snaps, evenly divided among running plays and passing attempts. — JH

Week 1: Alt played 52 total snaps in Notre Dame's dominant 56-3 win over Tennessee State. His run-blocking dipped a bit from his Week 0 performance, but, in 28 pass-blocking snaps, he didn't give up a sack or a pressure, allowing Sam Hartman the time to pass for two more touchdowns. — JH

Week 0: In a rousing 42-3 win over Navy in Ireland, Joe Alt and his Irish linemates were dominant against the overmatched Midshipmen. Quarterback Sam Hartman, in his ND debut since transferring from Maryland, completed 19 of 23 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns. The Irish ran at will, averaging almost 6 yards a try. Alt led the way up front with 52 playes at left tackle, 25 on passes. — JH

HISTORY — from college profile

2022 Awards and recognition

*Associated Press All-American – First Team

*Pro Football Focus All-American – First Team

*CBS Sports/247 Sports All-American – First Team

*Action Network All-American – First Team

*ESPN.com All-American – First Team

*The Sporting News All-American – Second Team

*FWAA All-American – Second Team

*Walter Camp All-American – Second Team

*AFCA All-American – Second Team

*The Athletic All-American – Second Team

*USA Today All-American – Second Team

*Pro Football Focus Midseason All-American – Second Team

*Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll

2022: Started all 13 games in 2022. Helped the Irish average 4.6 yards per carry during the 2022 season, racking up 2,457 total rushing yards which is the sixth-best total at Notre Dame since 1996. Finished the season with 25 total rushing touchdowns as the Irish offense averaged 31.77 points per game … Helped clear the way for seven games of 220+ yards rushing, with four games of 260+ … Was honored, along with entire Notre Dame offensive line, as part of the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll. Ohio State (9/3): Opened the year at Ohio State, as the team rushed for 76 yards on 30 attempts and scored a touchdown. Helped the Irish throw for 177 yards through the air … Marshall (9/10): Paved the way for 130 yards rushing and two scores against the Thundering Herd … California (9/17): Team ran for 147 yards on 41 attempts and a score in the first win of the season. Helped protect the quarterback who finished 17-for-23 for 150 yards and two touchdowns … North Carolina (9/24): Ran for a season-best 287 yards on 51 carries, averaging 5.63 yards per carry … BYU (10/8): Team did not allow a sack in the victory. Team ran for 5.2 yards per carry on 45 attempts. Protected the passing game that went for 262 yards, going 22-for-28 … Stanford (10/15): UNLV (10/22): Team did not allow a sack as the Irish threw for 205 yards on 14 completions. Ran for 223 yards on 47 carries and three scores in the victory … Syracuse (10/29): Irish piled up 246 rushing yards on 56 attempts and three scores in the victor …. Clemson (11/5): Helped the Irish take down a top-10 opponent with 263 yards on the ground on 47 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Navy (11/12): Ran for 66 yards and a score. Protected for 17 completions for 269 yards and a season-best four touchdowns through the air in the rivalry victory. Boston College (11/19): Racked up 281 yards on 38 attempts rushing, averaging 10.03 yards per carry and scoring four times. OL did not allow a sack … USC (11/26): Protected for Notre Dame’s first 300+ yard passing game of the year as the Irish went 23-for-26 for 318 yards and three scores … South Carolina – TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (12/30): Notre Dame had three runners go for more than 60 yards in the bowl game victory, led by a 95-yard performance from Estimé. Helped clear lanes for 89 rushing yards and a score from Diggs and added two scores and 61 yards from quarterback Tyler Buchner. Protected for Buchner’s career day passing, as the sophomore finished with 274 yards and three scores on 18 completions.

2021 (fr): 2021 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Watch List … 2022 Pro Football Focus Freshman All-American … Saw time this year as a tight end and on the offensive line … Played in all 13 games, starting in the final eight including the 2022 Playstation Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State … VIRGINIA TECH (10/9): Paved the way for 180 team rushing yards and 32 points in an Irish road victory in Blacksburg … SOUTHERN CAL (10/23): Controlled the line of scrimmage which resulted in 170 yards rushing and three rushing TDs in a win over the Trojans; Helped an offense which converted on eight-of-12 third downs and dominated 31:23 minutes in time of possession … NORTH CAROLINA (10/30): Led an Irish offensive line that guided Notre Dame running backs to a season-high 293 yards rushing, the highest game total since Week 3 of 2020 (353 yds. vs. Florida State, 10/10) … VIRGINIA (11/13): Paved the way for a 249 team rushing performance in the 28-3 victory over the Cavaliers … GEORGIA TECH (11/20): Led an Irish offense team which scored 55 points and gained 514 total yards of offense … STANFORD (11/27): Helped the Irish offense in a 45-14 regular season finale win over the Cardinal; guided the Irish offense to 510 total yards, including 169 yards rushing – the team’s nine 100+ yard rushing game of the season … OKLAHOMA STATE – Fiesta Bowl (1/1): Paved the way for an Irish offense that set a season high 551 yards of total offense and converted on 11-of-20 third-down attempts.

High school: Played for coach Jay Anderson at Totino-Grace...4-star recruit by 247Sports … 3-star recruit by Rivals and ESPN … No. 179 player nationally, No. 21 offensive tackle nationally and No. 2 player from Minnesota by 247Sports.com … No. 60 player regionally, No. 15 offensive tackle nationally and No. 5 player from Minnesota by ESPN.com (78 Scout Grade) … 5.6 Rivals rank … Earned All-Metro, All-District, Minnesota Vikings All-State, Academic All-State and a Mr. Football Finalist … As a junior, played tight end and defensive end. He hauled in 17 receptions for 143 yards … Also played basketball at Totino-Grace

PERSONAL

Son of Carolyn and John Alt … Father, John, played on the offensive line at Iowa, and was a first round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984 … John was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2002 … Has four siblings; Lauren, Mark, Julia and Jordyn … Brother, Mark, played hockey at Minnesota, and is currently playing in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings … Intends to major in mechanical engineering

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2021

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0