Joe Alt Bio
Joseph George Alt, known professionally as Joe Alt, is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 28, 2003, in North Oaks, Minnesota, Alt has quickly established himself as one of the premier young offensive linemen in professional football. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, earning All-American honors twice before being selected fifth overall by the Chargers in the 2024 NFL draft.
Standing at an imposing 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) and listed at 322 lb (146 kg), Alt brings a rare combination of size, athleticism, and technical skill to the offensive line. He is the son of former Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle John Alt and the younger brother of professional ice hockey player Mark Alt, giving him a deep athletic pedigree. Despite his young age, Alt has already earned recognition as a Pro Bowl selection and a PFWA All-Rookie Team honoree.
Early Life and Background
Joseph George Alt was born on February 28, 2003, in North Oaks, Minnesota, a suburb of the Twin Cities. He grew up in a household steeped in professional athletics, with his father, John Alt, having enjoyed a lengthy and distinguished career as an offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs. This family background provided young Joe with early and consistent exposure to the demands and discipline required at the highest levels of football.
Alt attended Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, Minnesota, where he was a multi-position standout on the gridiron. He played inside linebacker, offensive tackle, and tight end during his high school career, demonstrating a rare versatility for a player of his size. His development at Totino-Grace attracted attention from major college programs, and he ultimately committed to the University of Notre Dame to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Coming out of Totino-Grace High School, Alt was regarded as one of the top offensive line prospects in his recruiting class. His commitment to the University of Notre Dame marked a significant step toward competing at the highest levels of collegiate football. Playing for the Fighting Irish provided him with a nationally visible platform and a tradition-rich program known for producing NFL talent along the offensive line.
At Notre Dame, Alt transitioned into a full-time role at offensive tackle, the position that would define his professional trajectory. He progressed rapidly through the depth chart, earning meaningful playing time as a true freshman in 2021 and quickly establishing himself as a foundational piece of the Fighting Irish offensive line. His combination of footwork, length, and football intelligence allowed him to handle the rigors of pass protection and run blocking at a high level, paving the way for national recognition.
Joe Alt Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
As a true freshman at Notre Dame in 2021, Joseph George Alt played both offensive tackle and tight end while appearing in all 13 games. He started the final 13 games at left tackle, an extraordinary accomplishment for a first-year player. This early baptism into top-tier competition helped him refine his technique and build the stamina required for a full college season.
Across his three seasons at Notre Dame, Alt developed into one of the most decorated offensive linemen in college football. In 2023, he was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s best offensive lineman or interior defensive lineman. He was unanimously named to the 2023 College Football All-America Team and declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the season, capping a stellar collegiate career.
Notre Dame Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Alt’s ascent to national prominence came during the 2022 season, when he earned First-team All-American honors. His performance against top-tier competition drew praise from coaches, analysts, and NFL scouts, all of whom recognized his rare physical tools and technical polish. By his junior season, he had become a cornerstone of the Fighting Irish offensive line and a consensus top prospect for the upcoming NFL draft.
In 2023, Alt solidified his status as the premier offensive line prospect in the country. He was unanimously named to the College Football All-America Team, a rare distinction reflecting his dominance at the position. His combination of size, mobility, and intelligence made him a natural fit for any NFL scheme, and his decision to enter the 2024 NFL draft was widely anticipated.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
Joseph George Alt was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers fifth overall in the 2024 NFL draft, a testament to his elite prospect status. On June 10, 2024, he signed his four-year rookie contract with the Chargers, worth $33.2 million guaranteed and including a signing bonus of $20.9 million. He immediately slotted into a starting role, demonstrating the franchise’s confidence in his long-term potential.
During his rookie season in 2024, Alt started 16 games, missing only Week 4. His consistent performance and immediate impact earned him a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team, recognizing him as one of the standout first-year players in the league. Through 22 career NFL games as of the 2025 season, Alt has started all 22, establishing himself as a durable and reliable presence on the Chargers offensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Alt is widely regarded for his exceptional footwork, long frame, and balance in pass protection, traits that allow him to mirror edge rushers with rare efficiency for a player his size. His background as a tight end in high school and early college contributes to his above-average mobility and body control in space. These attributes make him equally effective in zone-blocking schemes and traditional drop-back passing concepts, giving the Chargers flexibility in their offensive game planning.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Alt’s young career is his selection as the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, marking him as one of the highest-drafted offensive linemen in recent memory. His unanimous All-American selection in 2023 stands as one of the most prestigious individual honors in college football. Additionally, his first Pro Bowl nod in 2025, achieved despite a season-ending injury, underscored the respect he has already earned across the league.
Joe Alt Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Joseph George Alt’s statistical resume is measured less in traditional win totals and more in consistent protection, durability, and recognition. Across his Notre Dame career and his first two NFL seasons, Alt has earned First-team All-American honors in 2022, Unanimous All-American honors in 2023, a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2024, and a Pro Bowl selection in 2025.
Notre Dame Highlights
During his time with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Alt started the final 13 games of his freshman season at left tackle and went on to earn two All-American selections. He was a 2023 finalist for the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top interior lineman, and was unanimously named to the 2023 College Football All-America Team, the highest individual honor in college football.
Other Wins & Performances
In his professional career, Alt has earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2024 after starting 16 games in his debut season. He was also named to his first Pro Bowl in 2025 despite being placed on injured reserve on November 5, 2025, following a season-ending ankle surgery announced on November 3, 2025.
Joe Alt Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joseph George Alt comes from a deeply athletic family. His father, John Alt, played in the NFL as an offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, enjoying a long and respected professional career. This direct lineage to the NFL provided Joe with an intimate understanding of the demands and expectations of professional football from an early age.
Personal Life
Alt’s older brother, Mark Alt, is a professional ice hockey player. Mark played as a defenseman and appeared in 20 games in the National Hockey League, extending the family’s professional athletic footprint beyond football. The Alt family’s commitment to sport has shaped Joseph George Alt’s path and provided a supportive framework throughout his development as an elite offensive lineman.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represented a challenging but ultimately rewarding year for Joseph George Alt. He started the first four games for the Los Angeles Chargers before suffering a high ankle sprain in an eventual 21–18 loss to the New York Giants. After missing the next three games, Alt returned to start 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.
On November 3, 2025, the Chargers announced that Alt would undergo season-ending ankle surgery, and he was placed on injured reserve on November 5, 2025. Despite the injury-shortened campaign, his prior body of work was recognized league-wide when he was named to his first-ever Pro Bowl, a testament to the high level at which he performed before the injury.
Looking forward, Alt remains a foundational piece of the Los Angeles Chargers organization under his rookie contract, which runs through 2027. His combination of youth, pedigree, and proven performance suggests a bright trajectory as he works toward a full recovery and returns to anchor the Chargers offensive line in the seasons ahead.
