Joe Alt Explained

Joseph George Alt (born February 28, 2003) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, twice earning All-American honors before being selected fifth overall by the Chargers in the 2024 NFL draft. He is the son of former Kansas City Chiefs player John Alt and younger brother of ice hockey player Mark Alt.

Early life

Alt was born on February 28, 2003, in North Oaks, Minnesota.^[1] He attended the Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, Minnesota. He played inside linebacker, offensive tackle, and tight end.^[2] He committed to the University of Notre Dame to play college football.^{[3] [4]}

College career

As a true freshman at Notre Dame in 2021, Alt played offensive tackle and tight end. He played in all 13 games and started the final 13 games at left tackle.^{[5] [6]} In 2023, he was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's best OL/Interior DL.^[7] He was unanimously named to the 2023 College Football All-America Team and declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the season.^{[8] [9]}

Professional career

Alt was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers fifth overall in the 2024 NFL draft.^[10] On June 10, 2024, Alt signed his four-year rookie contract with the Chargers worth $33.2 million guaranteed that included a signing bonus of $20.9 million.^[11]

2024 season

Alt started 16 games in his rookie season, only missing week 4.^[12] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.^[13]

2025 season

Alt started the first four games for the Chargers before suffering a high ankle sprain in an eventual 21–18 loss to the New York Giants.^[14] after missing the next three games, Alt started in Weeks 8 and 9 before being carted off the field after suffering an ankle injury in the second quarter of a 27–20 win against the Tennessee Titans.^{[15] [16]} On November 3, 2025, the Chargers announced that Alt would undergo season-ending ankle surgery.^[17] He was placed on injured reserve on November 5.^[18] Despite the injury, he was named to his first ever Pro Bowl.^[19]

Personal life

His father John Alt played in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs.^[20] His older brother Mark is a professional ice hockey player. As a defenseman, Mark played 20 games in the National Hockey League.^[21]

External links

• Los Angeles Chargers bio
• Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio

Notes and References

1. Web site: Brugler . Dane . The Beast: 2024 NFL Draft Guide . https://web.archive.org/web/20240411212702/https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2024/04/11162958/TheBeast2024_MasterFile-8.pdf . dead . April 11, 2024 . subscription . April 14, 2024 . . 112.
2. Web site: Karels . Carter . June 24, 2020 . Notre Dame sees potential in offensive tackle recruiting target Joe Alt . March 5, 2024 . South Bend Tribune.
3. Web site: Johnson . Randy . July 6, 2020 . Minnesota Scene: Totino-Grace tackle Joe Alt chooses Notre Dame for 2021 . November 8, 2023 . Star Tribune.
4. Web site: Karels . Carter . July 6, 2020 . Bloodlines and upside make OL Joe Alt's commitment to Notre Dame worthy of recognition . March 5, 2024 . Notre Dame Insider.
5. Web site: Berardino . Mike . November 13, 2021 . Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt starting with a good foundation . November 10, 2023 . Chicago Sun-Times.
6. Web site: James . Tyler . October 14, 2021 . How Joe Alt transformed from high school tight end to Notre Dame's starting left tackle . March 5, 2024 . Notre Dame Insider.
7. Web site: Wells . Adam . November 28, 2023 . College Football Awards 2023: Nix, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jayden Daniels Lead Finalists . January 2, 2024 . Bleacher Report . en.
8. Web site: Baumgartner . Blake . December 13, 2023 . Notre Dame OT Joe Alt declares for NFL draft, won't play bowl game . December 18, 2023 . ESPN.com.
9. Web site: Smith . Eric . April 25, 2024 . 5 Takeaways: Why Jim Harbaugh Said It Was a "Unanimous Decision" to Draft Joe Alt . 2024-05-19 . Chargers.com . en-US.
10. Web site: Craig . Mark . April 26, 2024 . Totino-Grace's Joe Alt is taken fifth overall by the Chargers in the NFL draft . 2024-04-26 . Star Tribune.
11. Web site: June 10, 2024 . Los Angeles Chargers Sign Joe Alt . 2024-06-10 . Chargers.com . en-US.
12. Web site: Joe Alt 2024 Game Log . 2025-01-31 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
13. Web site: Smith . Eric . 3 Chargers Make PFWA All-AFC Team, Alt Earns All-Rookie Honors . Chargers.com . 2025-01-21 . 2025-04-04.
14. Web site: read . Chris CwikContributing writer·3 min . 2025-09-29 . Chargers star tackle Joe Alt carted to locker room and ruled out with ankle injury during Week 4 loss to Giants . 2025-12-09 . Yahoo Sports . en-US.
15. Web site: Joe Alt 2025 Game Log . November 3, 2025 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
16. Web site: Walker . Teresa M. . 2025-11-02 . Chargers left tackle Joe Alt carted off field with right ankle injury . 2025-11-03 . AP News . en.
17. Web site: 5 Takeaways: Joe Alt to Miss Rest of 2025 Season, Omarion Hampton Unlikely to Practice Until After Bye Week . November 3, 2025 . Chargers.com . en-US.
18. Web site: read . Charean Williams·1 min . November 5, 2025 . Chargers place Joe Alt on IR, open Da'Shawn Hand's practice window . November 9, 2025 . Yahoo Sports . en-US.
19. Web site: 2025-12-23 . 2026 NFL Pro Bowl AFC, NFC rosters: The league's top players . 2025-12-23 . ESPN.com . en.
20. Web site: Karels . Carter . July 7, 2020 . Notre Dame's latest OL recruit may be a project. But Joe Alt's bloodline is worth the risk . March 5, 2024 . The Indianapolis Star.
21. Web site: Mark Alt stats and news . . August 18, 2024.