Breaking: Titans agrees teams to sign $97.3 million star to buster offense

Joe Alt is a Uno-playing, mechanical engineering, and blocking machine who could be the Tennessee Titans’ next left tackle. Alt’s energy during his press conference on Saturday at the Indiana Convention Center for the 2024 NFL Combine was similar to his playing style.

His responses were brief yet impactful, albeit with a touch of humor. The 6-foot-8, 315-pound tackle credited his father, John Alt, who played 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and made the team’s ring of honor for his competitive fire and desire for the game.

“It’s that competitive gene in me,” Alt said. “When I step on that field, it’s a different person. It’s a laser focus. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win that play and refuse to lose or let the other guy get to the ball.

That’s what I’ve tried to sell.” When asked about his favorite hobbies, Alt mentioned the card game Uno, where players sometimes create “house rules” that can cause much debate. Alt believes setting the rules before the game doesn’t count as cheating, even if they differ from the official regulations.

“I’m a big fan of Uno. It’s a fun game. See, I watch a lot of YouTube videos when I’m playing Uno. I guess some of my rules are not real, like the stacking plus-twos. They just came out and said that’s not real. So, I guess I’ve been cheating, but it wasn’t intentional. I made sure the rules were clear before we start to play.”

Alt’s interpretation of Uno’s rules may be questioned, but his credentials as one of the top tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft are solid. Several draft boards have the Titans taking Alt with the No. 7 pick, and most have him as the top offensive lineman.

Pro Football Focus gave Alt a 90.7 grade last season and a 91.4 the previous season. In 2023, he allowed one sack, two quarterback hits, and two hurries on 368 passing snaps for Notre Dame. Alt met with the Titans this past week and said the conversation with general manager Ran Carthon, coach Brian Callahan, and the rest of the staff went well. As far as where he ends up, Alt said he’s focusing on working out and ignoring the draft boards.

“I don’t pay too much attention to that kind of stuff,” Alt said. “I like to keep my head down and just keep working each and every day. That’s stuff’s going to take care of itself when it comes to that time.”