Colts’ New TE Makes Concerning Admission as Shane Steichen Turns to Basketball Star to Fix Offensive Woes

The Indianapolis Colts recently made a move that defied logic. The franchise is focused on solving its offensive struggles and has acquired a complete football novice, who could be a potential passing option for Daniel Jones.

“New #Colts TE Carson Towt, who played basketball at Notre Dame, says he’s never played football before,” noted The Athletic’s James Boyd on X. “Thinks his “dirty work”can help him transition to the gridiron.”

The 24-year-old was an athlete in college, but on the hardwood, not the gridiron. He had a six-year basketball career, representing Northern Arizona and Notre Dame. He played his last game for Notre Dame on March 7, and, surprisingly, ten days later, he signed an NFL contract as a tight end without ever catching a pass.

While Towt focused on basketball, his physical tools were always undeniable. His 6-foot-7, 250-pound frame made him a force on the court, where he racked up over 1,300 points and 1,300 rebounds in 154 collegiate games, a testament to the ‘dirty work’ physicality the Colts hope will translate to the gridiron.

The new tight end certainly has the physicality of elite players in the league, while his basketball catching experience could help him adapt to catching passes at the professional level. With the addition of Towt, the Colts’ tight end group includes starter Tyler Warren, seasoned Drew Ogletree, young Will Mallory, and the recently re-signed Mo Alie-Cox, who also has a basketball background.

However, despite the athleticism, the biggest concern for Shane Steichen would be Towt’s adaptability. Learning complex blocking schemes, or getting familiar with route-running nuances is not an overnight process, and the physical toll of the position will also be a challenge that the athlete will need to overcome.

However, if history is anything to go by, Carson Towt is not the first athlete to make such a transition.

Basketball Mo Alie-Cox had a similar career move before joining the Indianapolis Colts

In making this unconventional move, the Colts may be drawing on past success with current tight end Mo Alie-Cox, who followed a similar path from college basketball to the NFL.

The 32-year-old played college basketball at VCU before the Colts took notice of his stature and athletic prowess. However, unlike Towt, he played football in the freshman year of high school. Now an eight-year veteran, he has become a mainstay for the franchise, appearing in 125 games.

After eight seasons, the tight end has recently re-signed with the team for the 2026 season. With Alie-Cox on the same roster, Towt can benefit from guidance as he attempts to transition from college basketball to professional football.