Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt named one of three Outland Trophy finalists
Tuesday was confirmation of what we all already know. Notre Dame junior left tackle Joe Alt is one of the best linemen in college football.
Alt was named one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation’s best linemen on offense or defense. The other nominees, selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America, are Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat and Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe. A winner will be chosen at the Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 8. The show will be televised on ESPN starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Notre Dame has had three previous winners of the Outland Trophy; defensive end Ross Browner (1976), guard Bill Fischer (1948) and tackle George Connor (1946). Connor was the very first recipient of the coveted award. There have been many great linemen to come through Notre Dame, especially on the offensive side of the ball in recent years, but none of them have stood with the trophy at the end of the year. Alt has a very good case to be the first to do so in a very long time.
Alt’s season-long Pro Football Focus grade of 90.4 is the best in the FBS when accounting for a snap minimum. Of every FBS tackle who met the threshold, none of them came close to Alt’s score. Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga came in second with a mark of 86.9.
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Alt is regarded as a surefire top-10 NFL Draft pick per most of the reputable draft coverage outlets. He’s got all the physical tools at 6-8, 322 pounds. Ever since he took over as Notre Dame’s starter at left tackle midway through the 2021 season he has been the most consistent, durable and downright productive player the Irish have had along the offensive line the last two seasons.
It’s very possible, perhaps even probable, Alt has played his last game in a Notre Dame uniform. Top 10 money is tough to pass up. Of course, Alt would likely be a top 10 pick in 2025, too, if he returned to Notre Dame for his senior season, stayed healthy and played up to the standard he set for himself over the last two and a half seasons. But monetarily, there is not much incentive to stay in South Bend. And he can always return to get that coveted Notre Dame degree.
