The Chargers selected Joe Alt as their starting right tackle despite having no experience playing the position.
Even though he had to make the quick change after being a dominant left tackle at Notre Dame, the transition seems to be seamless.
“The transition has gone pretty smoothly actually. Put a lot of time and effort into it and I’m feeling very comfortable on the right side.”
Something that has gone a long way is that Alt has benefited from Rashawn Slater’s mentorship over the past few months.
“I’ve been going to him after every single practice and if he sees anything in the drill work or in the film, coming back the next day,” Alt said. “If he sees things, I’ve been going to him.
“He plays the position on the left side,” Alt added. “He knows so much about the position that [I’ve] really been leaning on him to see things I can improve and work extra drill work after practice and before practice and during walk-through’s have been huge for me.”
But in addition to the knowledge he has soaked up from the former All-Pro, Alt has also been sharpening his game at this level by going up against elite edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa.
“I’m very lucky to go up against some of the best edge rushers in the game, being able to go against them every single day and being able to improve my skills against the best.
Alt added: “For me, it’s just trying to improve a bit every single day against them.”
Alt’s first challenge will be against Maxx Crosby when the Chargers face the Raiders in Week 1.