When Carson Towt came to Gilbert High School as a freshman, he was about 5 feet 10, 150 pounds.
He grew to 6-7, 230, but never left the gym. Basketball was his calling. Until now.
Towt, 6-8, 250, after finishing his college basketball career this season at Notre Dame where he averaged eight rebounds a game, is hoping to make it in the NFL as a tight end.
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Towt signed as an undrafted free agent on March 17 with the Indianapolis Colts.
Former Gilbert basketball coach Jay Caserio said Towt never played football in high school, but he saw a football player in him. Towt ended up leading Gilbert to a 5A state championship over Goodyear Millennium and current NBA player DaRon Holmes in 2019.
“As he got bigger and taller, we always thought he’d be an amazing tight end,” Caserio said. “He can move his feet well and has amazing hands. He’s a tough dude with a great motor.
Gilbert’s Carson Towt (33) is fouled by Millennium’s DaRon Holmes (23) during the Boys State 5A Championship game in Tempe, Ariz. Feb. 25, 2019.
“There’s been some success with athletes like him, transitioning to the NFL after finishing their collegiate basketball career.”
Northern Arizona basketball coach Shane Burcar is convinced that Towt will make the Colts’ team. Towt was a rebounding machine for Burcar, leading the nation last year with 12.4 rebounds a game.
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Burcar said he talked to Towt a couple of weeks ago, and Towt told his former coach that he was going to talk to some NFL general managers.
“Here’s the deal …” Burcar said. “He’s intelligent. He’s a worker. And he’s a professional.”
It was never discussed that maybe he ought to play football after his college basketball career ended, Burcar said.
“I said, ‘Have you ever played a down of football in your life?’ and, he said, ‘No,’ ” Burcar said. “He’s never played a down. But if you remember Antonio Gates. It’s the same deal.”
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Gates transitioned from college basketball player at Kent State to a 16-year NFL career as a tight end with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers.
“Carson has incredible hands,” Burcar said. “He’s physical. He’ll make it. That kid is determined. He’ll make it.”
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don’t miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ex-Gilbert HS, NAU hoops star Carson Towt signs with the NFL’s Colts