Colts sign former Notre Dame basketball player in low-risk, high-reward move

Towt, 6-foot-7, has the size to be a matchup nightmare, particularly in the red zone, making him worth the flier as 2025 first-rounder Tyler Warren's backup. Mo Alie-Cox, another former basketball player and the team's tight end for the past eight years, has averaged 14.3 receptions and 153.5 receiving yards per season since the start of 2022 and had his worst season as a run-blocker in 2025, being credited with a career-high six blown blocks on run plays, according to Sports Info Solutions. 

Alie-Cox played for the VCU Rams from 2013-17, starting 99 of his last 107 games and averaging 9.1 points, five rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game during the span. He signed as a free agent with Indy in April 2017.

Towt's signing follows a similar decision from the Carolina Panthers last April, when they signed former Coastal Carolina forward Colin Granger with a similar goal of transitioning him to tight end. He was released a month later, however, after suffering a hamstring injury.

The most successful move from the hardwood to gridiron came from Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates, who never played football in college, instead playing three seasons of college basketball, finishing his career averaging 20.6 points as a senior at Kent State.

Adding Towt comes with minimal risk and plenty of upside. The history of basketball players shifting to football reveals a wide range of outcomes, from lasting a month, eight seasons (and counting) or ending up in Canton. Towt joins a growing list of those to have made the leap, and he might be in the perfect spot to become the next success story.