In a stunning twist, Carson Towt, once a Notre Dame basketball player, has decided to swap the hardwood for the gridiron. On March 7, he was still fighting for the Fighting Irish on the court.
Just ten days later, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent, hoping to become a tight end. It’s a wild career pivot, honestly, and says a lot about Towt’s confidence and physical ability.
He’s never played football at the high school or college level, which makes his leap even more intriguing. Towt just feels like his style and skills might actually fit the NFL better than basketball.
His story is full of unexpected turns and a fierce drive to chase his athletic dreams. It’s not every day you see someone bet on themselves like this.
The Journey from Basketball to Football
Carson Towt’s path to the NFL is, well, pretty unusual. The 6-foot-7 forward wrapped up his college basketball career and is now aiming for pro football.
His decision to switch sports follows a bunch of events that stretched out his college eligibility, giving him more time to show off his physical talents on the court.
Extended College Career
Towt’s longer-than-usual college run played a big role in setting him up for this NFL shot. He redshirted his first year at Northern Arizona in 2019-2020, and thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and an injury that wiped out his 2023-24 season, he picked up extra years of eligibility.
NFL rules say you can only be drafted the year after your college football eligibility ends, so Towt spent that draft-eligible season at Notre Dame. He thought about playing both sports in 2025, but eligibility rules meant he only had one more year of basketball after his time at Northern Arizona.
That’s what nudged him to seriously consider the NFL. Sometimes life’s weird timing just opens a door you never expected.
Physical Attributes and Skills
Towt’s move is really about his physical strengths. He thinks the way he plays—tough, scrappy, willing to do the dirty work—fits football more than basketball.
He takes pride in rebounding and being physical, and he feels like football rewards that style. It’s a fair point, honestly.
Late Bloomer
He was a late bloomer, physically. Towt says he didn’t really hit his growth spurt until late in high school and didn’t start putting on muscle until his freshman year of college.
Maybe that’s why he stuck with basketball at first. It’s funny how timing shapes everything.
Meeting with the Colts
Towt went to the NFL Scouting Combine a few weeks ago—not to work out, but to meet with teams. There, he talked with the Colts and chatted with veteran tight end Mo Alie-Cox, who also made the jump from basketball to football.
Having someone around who’s done it before? That could be huge for Towt as he figures out this new path.
The Challenges Ahead
Switching careers at this stage is no small feat. Sure, guys like Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham made the basketball-to-tight end move look easy, but for every success, there are plenty who don’t make it.
Even changing positions within a sport at the NFL level is tough—let alone switching sports entirely. It’s a lot to take on, no doubt.
Conclusion
Carson Towt’s shift from Notre Dame basketball to the Indianapolis Colts as a tight end is honestly pretty wild. It’s not something you see every day, and it says a lot about his resilience and willingness to adapt.
He’s faced a bunch of unusual situations and obstacles along the way. Still, with his size, athleticism, and stubborn drive, Towt’s got a real shot at making it in the NFL.
If you want to dig deeper into Towt’s story, check out the original article on NFL.com.
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