Gimme Five: How Joe Alt can join elite Notre Dame company on draft night
Notre Dame has seen only three alumni get drafted in the top 10 since 1994. Star offensive tackle Joe Alt has a real chance to make it four Thursday night.
Alt confirmed March 2 at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that he’s met with the Chargers, Titans, Bears and Jets, all of whom hold selections in the top 10 of April’s draft. The 6-foot-8 ½, 321-pound behemoth only allowed 1 sack in his last two seasons with the Irish, becoming an elite run blocker at the same time.
During his Combine workout, Alt posted a 9.93 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), according to Pro Football Network’s Kent Lee Platte. That placed him at No. 11 out of 1,314 offensive tackles since 1987. Alt is No. 8 (and the highest-ranked offensive lineman) on NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s big board.
“In pass pro[tection], [Alt] plays with a wide base and is very under control,” Jeremiah wrote. “He will mix up his pass sets, occasionally jump-setting and stunning opponents. He has the quickness to kick out and cover up outside speed rushers, while also possessing the length to keep power rushers from getting into his chest.
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“He is always very aware and is a valuable helper when uncovered. In the run game, he gets movement on down blocks, looking to finish to and through the whistle.”
The last three Notre Dame players picked in the top 10 are also offensive linemen, with tackle Mike McGlinchey and guard Quenton Nelson being the latest at No. 9 and No. 6 to the 49ers and Colts, respectively, in 2018. Shortly before that, the Ravens selected tackle Ronnie Stanley sixth overall in 2016. Prior to that, defensive tackle Bryant Young went No. 7 to the 49ers in 1994 and quarterback Rick Mirer was selected No. 2 overall by the Seahawks in 1993.
Just missing the cut for this list, running back Jerome Bettis went No. 10 overall to the Rams in 1993.
The last five top-10 NFL Draft picks out of Notre Dame
| Player | Position | Year | Team | Pick |
| Mike McGlinchey | OT | 2018 | 49ers | 9 |
| Quenton Nelson | G | 2018 | Colts | 6 |
| Ronnie Stanley | OT | 2016 | Ravens | 6 |
| Bryan Young | DT | 1994 | 49ers | 7 |
| Rick Mirer | QB | 1993 | Seahawks | 2 |
