Colts sign former NCAA basketball star with hopes of converting him to a Tight End

The Indianapolis Colts are once again betting on upside, athleticism, and a bit of projection—signing former University of Notre Dame basketball forward Carson Towt to a contract as a tight end yesterday.

At 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, Towt certainly looks the part. But what makes this move fascinating—and risky—is the fact that he has zero prior competitive football experience.

A Unique Path to the NFL

Towt spent seven seasons playing college basketball, most recently with Notre Dame after beginning his career at Northern Arizona University. Known for his size, rebounding ability, and physical presence in the paint, Towt built a reputation as a grinder on the hardwood.

Now, he’ll attempt one of the toughest transitions in professional sports: going from the basketball court to the NFL gridiron.

While that may sound far-fetched, the Colts are one of the few organizations that have successfully pulled this off before.

The Mo Alie-Cox Blueprint

If this move feels familiar, it should.

The Colts struck gold when they converted Mo Alie-Cox—another former college basketball player—into a productive NFL tight end. Alie-Cox played basketball at Virginia Commonwealth University and, like Towt, had no college football background.

Despite that, he developed into a reliable target and physical presence, using his size, body control, and basketball instincts to thrive at tight end. His ability to box out defenders, high-point the football, and create mismatches in the red zone made him a valuable piece of the Colts’ offense.

That success story is likely a major reason why Indianapolis is willing to take a chance on Towt.

Following in Antonio Gates’ Footsteps

Of course, any conversation about basketball-to-football transitions begins with Antonio Gates.

Gates famously played college basketball at Kent State University and never played college football. Yet he went on to become one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, redefining the position with his elite footwork, hands, and ability to shield defenders—skills rooted in his basketball background.

Gates proved that elite athletes with the right size and mentality can make the leap, even without traditional football experience.

Why Teams Keep Taking This Gamble

The tight end position has become one of the most versatile in football. Teams are constantly searching for matchup nightmares—players too big for defensive backs and too fast or agile for linebackers.

Basketball players often check those boxes:

• Size and length
• Body control and footwork
• Rebounding skills that translate to contested catches
• Spatial awareness in tight areas

Towt fits that mold perfectly on paper.

Boom or Bust?

Still, this is far from a guaranteed success story.

Football requires far more than athleticism. Route running, blocking schemes, playbook knowledge, and physical durability all present steep learning curves—especially for someone who has never played the sport at a competitive level.

But the Colts aren’t expecting an immediate impact. This is a developmental move, one built on patience and potential.

If Towt can even come close to following the path of Mo Alie-Cox, this signing could quietly become one of the more intriguing stories of the offseason.

And if lightning strikes twice in Indianapolis, the Colts may have once again found a diamond in the rough—this time, straight off the basketball court.