Carson Towt Wastes No Time: New Notre Dame Forward Already Turning Heads With Early Impact on the Court
In the ever-evolving world of college basketball, where rosters shift with the transfer portal and experience often outweighs raw talent, landing a seasoned and ready-made player is a game-changer. That’s exactly what Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry found in Carson Towt. The veteran forward, who transferred to South Bend with a reputation for toughness, intelligence, and unselfishness, has wasted no time in showing why he may be one of the most important additions to the Fighting Irish roster this season. Even in the early days of preseason workouts, Towt is already making his presence felt — not with flashy dunks or viral highlights, but with the kind of quiet dominance and consistency that wins games when it matters most.
Carson Towt’s basketball journey hasn’t been conventional. Before arriving at Notre Dame, he carved out a respected career with Northern Arizona, where he averaged near-double-double numbers and quickly became one of the most consistent forwards in the Big Sky Conference. His game has always been defined by a high basketball IQ, relentless work on the glass, and a willingness to do the little things that often go unnoticed. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s fitting seamlessly into a Notre Dame program that prides itself on discipline, effort, and team-first mentality.
From the first team workout, coaches and teammates alike saw what Towt brings to the table. He’s not trying to prove he’s the best player on the court — he’s trying to make everyone around him better. Whether it’s setting hard screens, communicating on defense, diving for loose balls, or keeping possessions alive with offensive rebounds, Towt is doing the work that championship-level teams require. That, more than anything, is why his presence has already elevated the intensity and focus within the gym.
Micah Shrewsberry, entering his second season at the helm of the Irish, knew exactly what he was getting when he recruited Towt. A coach who values system basketball, ball movement, and defensive toughness, Shrewsberry didn’t need to mold Towt into something new. Instead, he found a plug-and-play forward who naturally fits the mold of what he wants this program to become. In a locker room that’s still growing and searching for veteran leadership, Towt is providing both stability and energy.
One of the most impressive things about Towt’s early impact is how quickly he’s adapted to the pace and expectations of high-major basketball. While Notre Dame competes in the rugged ACC, Towt has already proven that he belongs. In practices and early team scrimmages, he’s holding his own against some of the Irish’s most physical players, using smart footwork and anticipation rather than just relying on size or strength. At 6-foot-7 and with a strong frame, he brings versatility — capable of guarding multiple positions, switching on pick-and-rolls, and spacing the floor on offense.
But where Towt is truly beginning to separate himself is on the glass. Rebounding has been an area of concern for Notre Dame in recent seasons, and the addition of a forward who understands positioning, leverage, and timing is a welcomed shift. Towt isn’t just a volume rebounder — he’s strategic. He knows how to box out, track the ball, and make second-chance plays happen. And perhaps more importantly, he rebounds out of his area, chasing down long rebounds and tipping loose balls back to teammates to extend possessions.
In addition to his on-court presence, Towt is earning praise for his professionalism and approach to preparation. He’s the kind of player who arrives early to get extra shots up, who stays late to work on free throws, and who asks questions during film sessions to ensure he understands every rotation and play call. That mindset is infectious, especially on a team with young pieces still learning how to operate at the highest level. Players follow effort, and Towt’s effort never dips.
It’s not just coaches and staff who are noticing. Teammates have already begun referring to him as one of the anchors of the frontcourt. In interviews, players have mentioned his communication, his basketball knowledge, and his selfless play. Whether he’s getting touches or not, Towt impacts the game — and that’s exactly what every team needs from a glue guy. But Towt isn’t just a role player. With the way things are trending, he could very well be a starter and a key part of Notre Dame’s crunch-time lineup.
Offensively, his game is about efficiency. Towt isn’t going to lead the team in scoring, but what he does offer is reliable interior finishing, smart cuts, and quick decision-making in the high post. He’s a capable passer who can facilitate out of short rolls and dribble hand-offs, allowing Shrewsberry to open up the playbook in ways that weren’t possible last season. His ability to stretch the floor with a respectable mid-range shot also adds an element of spacing that allows Notre Dame’s guards to attack off the bounce more effectively.
Defensively, Towt has embraced his role as an enforcer. He’s vocal, physical, and consistent — a coach’s dream in defensive rotations. Whether it’s taking a charge, closing out hard on a shooter, or switching onto a quicker guard, he competes with discipline and pride. In a conference as competitive as the ACC, having someone with Towt’s willingness to defend every inch of the court will be vital to Notre Dame’s success.
What makes Towt’s emergence even more important is where Notre Dame currently stands as a program. After a transitional year under Shrewsberry, the Irish are beginning to form a new identity — one built around defense, toughness, and unselfish play. With an exciting blend of young talent and experienced additions like Towt, the pieces are finally beginning to align. The leadership vacuum that existed at times last season is already being filled, and players like Towt are at the center of that shift.
There’s still a long road ahead before the regular season tips off, and plenty of battles to be won in practices and scrimmages. But if early returns are any indication, Carson Towt is going to be a major factor for Notre Dame this season. He’s not asking for attention, but he’s earning it. He’s not demanding shots, but he’s making every possession count. And most of all, he’s proving that winning basketball isn’t always about the flash — sometimes, it’s about showing up every day, doing the work, and lifting the players around you.
As Notre Dame continues to build toward its season opener, the coaching staff is undoubtedly still evaluating lineups and rotations. But there’s little doubt that Carson Towt has already secured a place in their plans. He brings everything the Irish have been missing — toughness, rebounding, leadership, and consistency — and he’s doing it all without skipping a beat.
Notre Dame fans may not have known Towt’s name when he committed, but they’re about to. And if his early performance is any indication, he’ll be one of the most impactful under-the-radar transfers in college basketball this season. In a program on the rise and hungry to return to national relevance, Carson Towt isn’t just a piece of the puzzle — he might be the glue that holds it all together.
