Notre Dame Swoops In to Land In-State Offensive Line Recruit over Minnesota
Monday July 6th was a tough day for the University of Minnesota Gophers football and basketball teams. First, Stewartville (MN) High School’s Will Tschetter committed to the University of Michigan. He chose Michigan over Minnesota, Nebraska, and others. Then, Totino-Grace High School’s Joe Alt committed to Notre Dame. He chose Notre Dame over Minnesota, Iowa, and a handful of other schools in the Midwest.
BREAKING: Offensive tackle Joe Alt commits to #NotreDame.@CoachJeffQuinn, @BrianPolian and @T_Rees11 did a great job on this one.
— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) July 6, 2020
Story: https://t.co/1XEZnFfEEK@JoeAlt7#IrishIllustrated@247Sports pic.twitter.com/oZbo3FWfXy
Alt is the son of former University of Iowa and Kansas City Chief John Alt. The younger Alt was “heavily considering Iowa and Minnesota down the stretch and had great relationships with both of those coaching staffs” according to 247Sports. However, Alt decided to settle on Notre Dame after taking a virtual visit.
“One of the days was a lot about just seeing Notre Dame,” said the 6-7, 260-pounder. “It was a lot of videos showing the campus and everything. Part of that day was also coach Quinn sitting down and explaining his run game and pass game philosophies, blocking, and stuff like that. The second day, I sat down coach Polian and kind of just talked about the numbers and the history of Notre Dame and how you’re not just going to be an athlete, but you have to be a student-athlete.
Joe Alt via 247 Sports
Notre Dame Makes Late Impression
Despite not offering Alt until May 24th, Notre Dame made enough of an impression to persuade him to go to South Bend. Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri all offered Alt before Notre Dame swooped in. Alt is listed as the No. 34 offensive tackle nationally and No. 6 prospect in Minnesota from the class of 2021. Here’s what 247 Sports recruiting expert Allen Trieu had to say about him:
Very good blocker from that spot in high school. Bends and can get leverage and plays with a good base. Balanced and keeps his feet. Moves well laterally. With the transition to offensive tackle, he would need more pass blocking reps. It is not out of the question a school would use him as a big tight end, but his upside is much higher as an offensive tackle prospect. He will have the add the weight and strength, but once he does that, he could be a high-end tackle.
247 Sports Allen Trieu
Alt’s commitment to Notre Dame continues a below-average stretch for P.J Fleck and Co. In the past month-and-a-half, Minnesota has received four decommitments: Albert Regis, Sam Jackson, D’Marion Alexander, Tamarion Crumpley. Even with those decommitments, however, the Gophers still sit at 18th in 247Sports 2021 Team Rankings. P.J Fleck will now set his eyes on reeling in some more players to add to an already great class.
Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan
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