The Indianapolis Colts have never been shy about taking a chance on raw athleticism, and their latest addition might be their boldest bet yet.
Former Notre Dame basketball forward Carson Towt never played a single snap of football. Not in high school, not even in college. What he does have is a basketball resume that is hard to ignore. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward spent five seasons at Northern Arizona before finishing his collegiate career at Notre Dame in 2025.
In his final year at Northern Arizona, Towt set the Big Sky Conference single-season rebounding record with 423 boards, a number that also led the entire nation and put up 20 double-doubles in that same season alone.
Now the Colts are signing him and putting a tight end jersey on him, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Tight end Mo Alie-Cox made the same basketball-to-football jump, coming over from VCU before signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Eight seasons later, Alie-Cox is still in the Colts, he re-signed Monday and is now the second-longest tenured player on the roster.
At his introductory press conference with IndyStar TV on Tuesday, Towt made no attempt to hide the unusual nature of his path. He confirmed he never played football at any level before this.
"I've never played football before now. I think just an awareness of my physical gifts that were showcased on the basketball floor. I think this sport honors those gifts and the things that got me to Notre Dame and carried me through my career, and the things I pride myself on, I think, this sport honors those things."
"My frame, how I developed as a player, kind of like my play style, and what I pride myself on, rebounding… I pride myself on dirty work and rebounding and being physical, so I think football almost honors those a little bit better than basketball does."
Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Carson Towt, now with the Indianapolis Colts. Michael Caterina-Imagn Images Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
That is a rare thing in the NFL, but not completely without precedent. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey came from professional soccer and has since made three Pro Bowls.
Towt signed with JB Sports, an agency that counts George Kittle, Tucker Kraft, and Jake Ferguson among its tight end clients. It also represents former Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans, who had a solid rookie year with the Carolina Panthers in 2025.
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