Notre Dame Lineman Joe Alt Still Has Room To Improve

Despite his brilliance in 2022, there is still room for Joe Alt to get better, which could spell trouble for his 2023 opponents

Over the last decade Notre Dame has established a very rich tradition of elite offensive tackles, and Joe Alt has certainly continued that tradition. Alt had a brilliant 2022 campaign, and he enters the 2023 season with the expectation of being one of the nation's best players.

Today kicks off Irish Breakdown's daily release of player profiles for Notre Dame players, and there's no better place to begin than with Alt.

JOE ALT PROFILE

Hometown/High School: North Oaks, Minn./Totino-Grace

Height/Weight: 6-8, 315
Class/Eligibility: Junior/Junior

2022 Stats: 887 snaps - 0 sacks allowed, 8 pressures allowed, 1 penalty
2021 Stats: 614 snaps - 3 sacks allowed, 11 pressures allowed, 1 penalty

Career Stats: 1,501 snaps - 3 sacks allowed, 19 pressures allowed, 2 penalties

*** Stats are from Pro Football Focus

2022 RECAP

On the first series of his first start, then freshman Joe Alt gave up a sack. It certainly wasn't the ideal start, but he settled in after that and showed a lot of promise the remainder of the season. Alt earned Freshman All-American honors, and he built on that success in 2022.

Alt was solid in the first few games, but he got better and better as the season wore on. By the middle of the season he had emerged as one of the nation's best tackles. Alt's pass protection became elite, with the sophomore left tackle combined elite tools with poise and patience. 

What made Alt so effective as the season wore on was his improvement as a run blocker. His ability to get movement and create room for the backs to run got better and better throughout the season.

Alt finished the season as a first-team All-American according to Associated Press, Pro Football Focus, CBS Sports and ESPN. Alt also earned second team All-American honors from The Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association, The Athletic and USA Today.

2023 EXPECTATIONS

Joe Alt can and must get better in 2023.

How's that for a starter about Alt and expectations for this season. There are areas that any good offensive line coach will and should nitpick with Alt in an attempt to keep him building his game, but there are actually areas where he can make very noticeable improvement. If that happens Alt will have a chance to be a truly dominant left tackle.

In the pass game, Alt was highly effective last season, but even with all his success there were times he was able to win on talent, or keep a defender off the quarterback because of his length instead of being dominant on the snap. As you'd expect from a sophomore, even one with his pedigree, Alt wasn't always consistent from a technical standpoint. 

The area where I want to see Alt make the most improvement in the pass game is with his sets. At times Alt will under set, which allows faster rushers to get outside of him. It's not a lack of foot quickness, it is often a technical issue, or a sense of urgency. Perhaps a better way of saying it is he just doesn't quite get out wide enough on speed rushers. This isn't a frequent thing, but enough to notice it. Alt will also get a bit high out of his stance at times, which allows physical pass rushers to push him back more than normal. 

If Alt can be more consistent out of his set he'll be even more dominant as a pass blocker. It might not show up in his pressure numbers, but on film it will show up as he'll stone more and more blockers, giving the quarterbacks even more room to work.

I was surprised at how much better Alt got in the run game last season. A year working with Harry Hiestand did wonders for Alt, who impressed me with his pad level (not easy for a 6-8 athlete), ability to play with good angles and his consistency of execution. Alt is one of the more assignment correct run blockers you'll see in college football. It will be up to new coach Joe Rudolph to get him to that level.

There are two areas where I expect him to be even better in 2023. For one, Alt was a true sophomore last season, so he didn't necessarily have the "grown man" strength that older players possess. A strong year in the weight room should do wonders for Alt, who I expect to be an even better mover in the run game this season. I also want to see Alt finish just a bit better in the run game.

2023 PROJECTION

If Alt simply repeats what he did in 2022 he'll be an All-American and arguably the best offensive tackle in college football. There would be nothing wrong with that, but Notre Dame needs Alt to keep getting better. If he can improve in the few areas where his game has room to grow then he'll be even more dominant.

Notre Dame also needs Alt to take on a bit more of a leadership role. He'll have a younger player next to him, or least a new starter. Alt will play a key role in ensuring that he and his new sidekick are able to play as cohesively as needed in order for the Irish ground attack to flourish.

Alt needs to combine with classmate Blake Fisher to give the Irish a pair of dominant bookends at tackle.

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Irish Breakdown Content

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Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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