A player going from never having played football in college to becoming a decent tight end in the NFL is not a new story, but the Indianapolis Colts are hoping their latest gamble with the scenario pays off. Again. The player, Carson Towt, is at least saying all the right things so far.
Indy made news when they inked the former Notre Dame basketball player to a contract. Towt hadn't ever played football before, so while he is getting acclimated to Indy, he will also be forced to learn the intricacies of the sport. He will need to block and catch, and, of course, catch and run. All at a good enough level to be worthy of getting reps in real games.
The new tight end might not even be aware of what he is getting himself into, and that's not a bad thing. For instance, he has never caught a pass over the middle of the field and then been crunched by a 220-pound safety that runs faster than he ever saw on the basketball court.
Carson Towt is saying all the right things since joining the Indianapolis Colts
Still, after signing with the Colts last week, Towt uttered the words Indianapolis fans want to hear. He's ready, and he thinks he might finally be playing his best sport.
According to The Athletic's James Boyd, Towt said, "I pride myself on dirty work and rebounding and being physical. I think football almost honors those (traits) a little bit better than basketball does, so that’s why we’re here today."
One might assume that the traits Towt refers to are the willingness to do the "dirty work" and "being physical." The rebounding aspect won't come into play until something has fundamentally changed in the sport of American football. That's unlikely.
Towt wouldn't be the only basketball player-turned-NFL tight end, of course. Antonio Gates, formerly of the Los Angeles Chargers, took the same route and became a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Indy has its own previous success story currently on the roster in the person of Mo Alie-Cox. He's turned out to be a solid blocker, if not a productive receiver.
The new tight end is 6'8" and 250 pounds, so he has the size to play in the NFL, though he might need to add the right type of muscle to be able to take the kind of punishment the league provides. Basketball strength and football strength are completely different.
No one expects Carson Towt to step onto the field as a member of the Indianapolis Colts and be one of the leaders in catches, though. He will have time to learn the game and be a good player to have on the roster. His story is not likely done, and how it plays out should be a fun watch.