JACKSONVILLE, FL — Classic late bloomer Joe Alto continues to grow.
Considering Notre Dame’s newly minted All-America left tackle is just a 19-year-old sophomore, it’s a terrifying proposition for an already overwhelmed opponent. Back in Minnesota over the summer, Alt said he was 6’8″, 3/8″.
That was three-quarters of an inch taller than his official height on the Irish roster.
“At 21, that was the limit,” his father, former NFL Pro Bowl left tackle Jon Alt, said in a recent phone interview. “I was six to just under eight and a half years old. I grew up to that point, but I’ve been shrinking here lately. I think he has a lot more. It’s true.”
set to make his 21st In a straight start against No. 19 South Carolina in Friday’s Gator Bowl, Joe Alt quickly overtook his famous father at the college level.
“I think he’s definitely way ahead of me,” said John Alt. “He’s taken over a lot of my frame. He definitely has more low end than I do, which is great for blocking runs and playing football.”
The 60-year-old John Alt played tight end in his first two years in Iowa before growing to become the 21st overall pick in the 1984 NFL Draft.
Alt spent the next 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, counting two Notre Dame national champions, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana (1977) and center Tim Grunhardt (1988), among his best friends and teammates. I was.
Joe Alto wore Montana’s number 16 while playing quarterback in youth football through his freshman year at Totino Grace High School in Fridley, Minnesota.
Those experiences were by design.
John Alt, who was Totino Grace’s assistant, said, “I thought he could get a feel for the game, know the whole game and enjoy it while he was young.” but deep down in our hearts, or really in front of our hearts, we knew he would (eventually) let go. It was said that it would be
Grunhardt recalled that his sons CJ and Colin (formerly of the Notre Dame Center) were playing “Little Joe” during a family visit to Artz’s cabin near the old Chiefs training camp in western Wisconsin. I remember. While attending a few events with his old teammates at the Chiefs 49ers Super Bowl in Miami in early 2020, Grunhardt revealed that he had just hit six inches the previous summer. marveled at the 6 inch 6 inch bean pole.
“I couldn’t believe how big the kid was. “The cool thing about Notre Dame is that often the under-recruited players become the best.”
Joe Alt, an Associated Press All-America first-team pick and second-team pick for several other organizations, was a three-star recruit in the 2021 signing class. Pound, Alt was rated 21st Among offensive tackles (247Sports), he is Minnesota’s (ESPN) fifth-best prospect.
“Joe was one of those last-minute add-ons,” says Grunhard. “When he showed up on campus, nobody expected much from him. People thought he was too skinny. People thought he didn’t have enough leads to play.” When he came out and played, I was so happy for him.
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“very good”
Irish Defensive End’s Isiah Foskey nodded and smiled when asked about his fellow All-Americans.
How good is the alto?
“He’s really good,” said Foskey. “Good, very good”
Few tackles could match his quickness and resourcefulness, but Alt was a worthy sparring partner as Foskey set the Notre Dame all-time sack record.
“That’s why I always try to go against him,” said Foskey.
Is it because it’s hard to beat?
“Yes,” said Foskey. “That’s right. It’s a good challenge.”
When asked what the difference between the Alt and the Puck was, Foskey cited the 313-pounder’s characteristics.
“He’s really patient with his hands,” said Foskey. “He knows how to punch with his hands. Very violent with his hands. Great footwork. A run-block hard worker. I really can’t knock anything about him. There’s nothing wrong with him, he’s doing a perfect left tackle perfectly.”
Playing against Foskey in person definitely helped Alt’s game improve. Offensive line guru Harry Heastant kept Jarrett Patterson close by after moving the senior captain from center to left guard just before training camp.
“I don’t want to say, ‘I’m keeping an eye on him,'” said Patterson, the four-year starter. “He’s pretty mature for being young. He takes care of himself very well. I trust him to do what he’s supposed to do.”
Opponents began making plans to move away from the left side of the Irish line once it became clear how solid the Irish line was. Patterson, who was named to his second-team All-America by AFCA, combined with Alt to hold off even the toughest pass rushers.
“Just pick up the pressure and the blitz,” said Patterson.
”…that’s how your bacon protects the quarterback. ”
Joe Alt’s father John, former NFL Pro Bowl left tackle
According to Pro Football Focus, Alt and Patterson only allowed zero sacks and a total of 12 pressures in a total of 683 pass sets.
“I always told Joe that blocking passes is number one and blocking runs is number two,” said John Alt. “That’s how I myself approached it. I’ve brought in a lot of different offensive line coaches. That’s how you make your bacon, protecting quarterbacks.”
When Patterson heads into the NFL after the Gator Bowl, he knows Alto isn’t too far away. What does Alto need to polish?
“He would say the same thing. It’s his pass-set and punch consistency,” Patterson said. “That’s what he’s really been working on over the past year. That’s what he’s really improved on. He spends 20-30 minutes every day before meetings and after practice. He understands that. Yes – 100% I know he does.
first second win
Problem solving comes naturally to Alt, a mechanical engineering major with a GPA of 3.25. He sees a carryover from the way things are handled on the academic side to more public achievements.
“On the soccer field, it’s more in-game,” says Alt. “You can take the film apart and see the general stuff, but different defenses have different game plans. We can hash it and figure out what is best to do.”
Working with Technician Technician Hiestand, who returned in January for a second stint at Notre Dame Cathedral, Alt was pushed from good to great on the finer points of the position. rice field. The Irish lineman was taught how to “win his first second” after the ball was snapped, so first-step accuracy became a daily focus.
“Once you’re in the right spot in the first few seconds, you’re much more likely to get blocks or do work,” says Alt. “When Director Heastant came here, he remembers one thing from the first meeting we had. . “
For all his accomplishments, John Alt has made it a point to keep his distance and allow his youngest son to receive instruction at the college level. At home, John takes the tapes apart and shares his feedback and numerical grades.
Who’s the tougher grade, heattant or senior alto?
“I definitely think it will be difficult here,” said Joe Alt. “That’s good. You never want to be satisfied. You never want to be satisfied. I love hard coaching.
John Alto hadn’t spoken to Heastant until the Notre Dame team presented him with dinner on December 16th. They have some mutual friends, including Grunhardt, who was Alto’s line coach for the Hawkeyes, and Iowa coach Kirk Ferencz, and “have a lot in common with how we approach the game.” .
“I’m very lucky to be lined up like this,” said Alt, intending to thank his son’s esteemed tutor.
“I’ve always believed that 80% of the game is on the shoulder pads,” said John Alt. “I think that’s where he’s taken the biggest leap. He’s been very different this year in how he handles the events of the game, not how he approaches it. At this point in life, everyone’s You’re getting your body in pretty good shape, and that’s what you do in your brain.”
Follow Notre Dame football writer Mike Berardino on Twitter @MikeBerardino.
No. 21 Notre Dame (8-4) vs. No. 19 South Carolina (8-4)
what: 78th Annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
when: Friday, December 30 at 3:30pm EST
where: TIAA Bankfield (67,164), Jacksonville, Florida
TV/Radio: ABC, WSBT Radio (960 AM), WNSN (101.5 FM)
line: Notre Dame opens as 4.5 point favorite
series: Notre Dame lead 3-1
Final meeting: South Carolina won 36-32 at South Bend (1984).