In an unexpected twist, Notre Dame's Carson Towt is making headlines, not for his basketball prowess, but for his leap into the NFL. The 6-foot-7 power forward has signed on as a tight end with the Indianapolis Colts, turning heads with his transition from the hardwood to the gridiron.
Towt, who averaged 5.9 points and 9.0 rebounds last season, had been contemplating this switch for a while. "It's been quite the journey," he shared, hinting that the idea was brewing since the start of his basketball season.
His path to the NFL began with thorough research, seeking representation from those experienced in dual-sport transitions. Towt eventually teamed up with agents Jack Bechta and Jack Tabb from JB Sports, setting the stage for his football career just before the NFL Combine.
Despite not participating in the Combine due to his basketball commitments, Towt was busy meeting with teams, leveraging his proximity to Indianapolis from South Bend. His unique situation as a non-football college athlete means he's entering the league as a free agent, bypassing the draft process.
Towt's confidence in his new career path stems from his physicality on the basketball court, where his strength and hustle were his calling cards. His 6-foot-7 frame is now an asset in the NFL, where the average tight end stands around 6 feet 4 inches.
"I pride myself on the dirty work and being physical," Towt said, believing these traits align better with football. His journey echoes those of other basketball-to-football converts like Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham, who found success as NFL tight ends.
Towt's collegiate basketball career began at Northern Arizona, where he led the nation in rebounds and earned All-Big Sky honors. Though he couldn't play college football, his aspirations never wavered.
Interestingly, Towt's story parallels that of his new Colts teammate, Mo Alie-Cox, who also transitioned from college basketball to the NFL. Alie-Cox's journey from VCU to the Colts, overcoming early challenges to secure a long-term contract, serves as an inspiration for Towt.
In fact, Towt reached out to Alie-Cox for advice, gaining valuable insights from someone who had navigated a similar path. "We talked for probably half an hour," Towt recalled, appreciating the guidance from a player he views as a success story.
The Colts, with Tom Manning as their tight ends coach, have a proven track record of developing talent like Towt. Manning, who previously coached Alie-Cox, is set to guide Towt through his transition, armed with a blueprint for turning basketball skills into football success.
For Towt, this new chapter is about embracing the challenge and seizing the opportunity to redefine his athletic career. As he steps onto the football field, the journey from power forward to tight end begins, with the Colts ready to harness his potential.