The Indianapolis Colts’ newest free agent signee is more than just a rookie; he’s a novice. Carson Towt played basketball at Northern Arizona before transferring to Notre Dame this season. He did not play a single down of football in high school or college.
He is not the first player to switch sports in the NFL in recent years, nor is he the only player at his position, or even on his own team, with such a background.
“We kind of knew the beginning of my basketball season that we were going to explore this,” Towt said at a news conference on March 17. “It’s been quite the journey and, man, it’s just getting started. So I’m excited to see where we can all go.”
Towt said he attended the NFL Combine so he and his agents could meet with teams. He did not work out, as he was in the middle of his basketball season.
Towt was a late bloomer physically and did not experience growth spurts until late in high school. Once he began putting on weight in college, Howt considered playing both football and basketball. A few factors worked against him: First, he did not dual-sport at Northern Arizona University, and by the time he transferred to Notre Dame, he had lost his eligibility to play football. His basketball career continued to rise, and he decided to focus on that.
Transitioning from college basketball to professional football is hard, but Towt said he has all the physical tools to perform at a high level on the football field.
“I think this sport honors those gifts, and the things that got me to Notre Dame and carried me through my career, and the things I pride myself on,” he said. “I think this sport honors those things ... I pride myself on dirty work, rebounding, and being physical. So, I think football almost honors those a little bit better than basketball does.”
While it is a difficult transition, Towt is not the only prospect to have made it. Just last year, the Denver Broncos drafted tight end Caleb Lohner out of Utah. Lohner played three years of college basketball before transferring to Utah to play football. He had just four catches, but he used his height and rebounding skills to turn all four into touchdowns. Lohner was on the Broncos’ practice squad all season.
The most famous example of a basketball star transitioning to football is Pro Football Hall of Famer Antonio Gates. Gates played basketball at Kent State and signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He went on to become a 5-time All-Pro, an 8-time Pro Bowler, and the San Diego Chargers’ career leader in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Stars from other sports have crossed over into the league with varying degrees of success.
Wide receiver Chris Hogan played three years of college lacrosse and one year of football at Monmouth before signing with the San Francisco 49ers. He bounced around the league before winning two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata started his career in rugby league before being drafted by the Eagles. He won Super Bowl LIX with the team in 2025. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey played professional soccer before transitioning to the UFL, then signing with the Cowboys.
Towt won’t be the only person on the team who never played a snap of college football. The Colts recently re-signed veteran Mo Alie-Cox. Alie-Cox played basketball at Virginia Commonwealth before signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Towt said he spoke to Alie-Cox during his transition, asking him how he navigated it.
“I hear nothing but unbelievable things about Mo,” he said. “So, I’m excited to officially meet him in person and get to working with him, ‘cause you can’t get a better success story ... to be in this building with that caliber of a dude, and these caliber of coaches who have done it, is a blessing. And I’m aware of that and excited to be a part of it.”
