We’re just a week away from the 2024 NFL Draft, where the football world will meet a new set of stars, some of whom will make an immediate impact at the next level. One of those players is Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt, who is considered a lock to be selected in the top 10 and might not make it out of the top five.
The 2023 Unanimous All-American is a mountain of a man, standing at 6-foot-9 and 321 pounds. He recorded the highest PFF overall grade (90.7) by an FBS offensive lineman last season and allowed just one sack in 740 pass blocks over the past two years, according to Next Gen Stats.
Alt is also a legitimate athlete, as he achieved 14.14 miles per hour in the first five yards of his eventual 5.05 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, which is the fastest speed recorded by any offensive lineman in the first five yards of the 40 during the last two combines.
“Starting with the combine was a great experience,” Alt told CBS Sports. “I feel like I’ve done my best, been able to have meetings and talk with teams and then go out there and be able to race and do my best out there and show what I have trained for.”
Alt told CBS Sports that he only took three official meetings and didn’t have to travel much throughout the preliminary process. Which was ideal for him since he could stay in his training regiment. Next up is the big event itself.
If it’s not Caleb Williams going No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears, Alt to the Tennessee Titans at No. 7 overall is probably the most popular “mock selection.” What does Alt think of his potential fit with the Titans?
“I don’t have much interest in mock drafts. I got to meet the Titans and had a great experience there. I had the opportunity to speak with coach Brian Callahan and coach Bill Callahan and hearing them and hearing what they have in store for the team,” Alt said. “It was a great visit for me. (I’m) looking forward to seeing what happens here next Thursday.”
There aren’t many weaknesses in Alt’s scouting report. His father, John, was a first-round draft pick who made two Pro Bowls as an offensive tackle and is a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame, and his brother, Mark, was a draft pick of the NHL Carolina Hurricanes. Alt was captain of the Fighting Irish team that shut down one of the best offenses in Notre Dame history. Still, there are things he knows he can improve on as a player.
“There’s two things, I always like to talk about the run and the pass (blocking),” Alt said. “In the run, I always try to play a little bit lower. I think being able to use my height when I’m going down and getting up under a guy’s pads, I can use that leverage against him with my size, and just being able to move guys off the ball better And then the passing, I’m always trying to work on my shot, that’s something that’s always important, I think it really takes away from it. defenders their game and their running plan, so being able to kind of throw them a shot up there, give them a boost and make them think and fight against them instead of letting them stay. in the routine.
Comparisons for Alt range from Mike McGlinchey to former No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher. But who better than the prospect himself to evaluate a prospect?
“Nate Solder from the Patriots a few years ago, it’s more of a size comparison,” Alt said. “For me, when I look at the way I play and the way I think, I always look to two guys: Joe Thomas and the way he sets. I think I have the ability to shorten sets and skip the sets like he did, but also being able to set up vertically on third down and play smart with my guard and see what the defense brings on third down. The mental side of things, a guy I watch. really is Lane Johnson and his approach to the snap count There’s a fine line between being ahead and jumping offside, but also being ahead in the snap count and being able to win that first set and being able to. lead this fight against the defender.
One thing Alt wants NFL teams to know is that he is not that reserved individual. He is a “locker room guy” who wants to have an impact on his teammates.
“One of my great qualities is that I’m very calm, cool and collected on the pitch. That’s exactly how I feel I play my best, and I think people think that I’m maybe a quiet type, or not a very social guy,” Alt said. “I love being in the dressing room, I’m more of an outgoing person than people think. I think it’s one of those things that you kind of forget when they see me play on the pitch.”
This offensive line class is deep. In fact, sportsbooks believe as many as 10 “trench talents” could be selected on opening night. We asked Alt why he deserves to be recognized as the best offensive lineman in this class.
“Beginning in pass (protection), I have a unique size and length to be able to play, and I think my feet are athletic enough to stay in front of guys while playing with length, and I think that’s something really special to me,” Alt said. “In the run, I think my ability to use my length to my advantage at the second level, staying in front of the linebackers and the safeties. Also in the run game, the strength there, which I think I have, to be able to getting guys off the ball and working on it is something that I think makes me who I am.”
Although Alt is not in Detroit for the draft, he took a trip to Michigan last week with former Oregon quarterback and fellow draft prospect Bo Nix to visit the Air National Guard base from Selfridge, where they teamed up with USAA, Official NFL Salute to Service. Partner, to meet members of our military and even hopped in a UH-60 Black Hawk to fly over Detroit and the draft site.
“I was able to partner with USAA here before the draft and I was able to go to Detroit and visit Selfridge Air Force Base,” Alt said. “And the most important thing for me was meeting people, military people and hearing their stories. Where they came from, why they chose the military and what it means to them. It was something really special to me just because I have two grandfathers who were in the military, and I was able to learn from them.
“Plus, being able to tour the base and end my trip by flying in a Black Hawk helicopter over Detroit and the recruiting site was something that will remain one of my main memories for the rest of my life. was one of the coolest things I’ve done. I always want to show my gratitude and respect to those who serve. I couldn’t play and do what I love without them and their service. I really enjoyed it and it was a great experience for me.”