Joe Alt, former Totino-Grace and Notre Dame star, taken fifth overall by Chargers in NFL draft

Move over, John Alt. You’re no longer the highest drafted left tackle in the family.

Forty years after Kansas City selected Alt 21st overall, the Chiefs Hall of Famer partied with a group of 100 family and friends at 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery in Dellwood on Thursday night as the Los Angeles Chargers used the fifth overall pick on John’s even more mountainous son, Joe, a former Totino-Grace High School star and two-time All-American from Notre Dame.

“Top 5, wow, my frequent-flyer miles just went up,” said John, thinking the Titans at No. 7 was perhaps the more likely destination. “I’m a little surprised, but I do know that at the combine, Coach [Jim] Harbaugh and Joe really hit it off.

“I couldn’t be happier. I always coached my kids to think upward mobility. I expect them to go higher than me, and so far, they’re doing a good job of it.”

Joe Alt was the first offensive lineman and second non-quarterback chosen. He also became just the third Minnesotan drafted in the top 10 in the past 20 years, joining Holy Angels receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., the third overall pick of the Cardinals in 2004, and Marshall quarterback Trey Lance, the third overall pick of the 49ers in 2021.

Joe and his agent, Tommy Condon, were in an adjoining room when they got the call from Harbaugh with about five minutes left on the clock. The rest of the party could see them through a window when Joe took the phone as a big smile spread across his face. He rejoined the party, sat down next to his girlfriend, Emilie Meyer, mom Carolyn and John. The place erupted when the pick was announced and the camera caught Joe pulling on a Chargers cap and hugging Emilie and then mom, and then pulling dad to his feet for the last but not least important hug.

“Ecstatic,” Joe said. “I’d be nowhere without everyone in this room, especially my dad. I can’t wait to get started.

“Coach Harbaugh was simple on the phone. He said, ‘Do you want to be part of a great offensive line?’ I said, ‘Of course.’”

The Chargers have a left tackle, Rashawn Slater, who was selected 13th overall in 2021 and was second-team All-Pro as a rookie. Alt presumably will at least start his career on the right side.

“I’m going to go in and whatever they want me to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability,” said Alt, who had speculated last week that Tennessee was the best fit for him. “Top 5 is such a great opportunity.”

Former Vikings offensive lineman Alex Boone was on a guest list that also included everyone from 10 of Joe’s nieces and nephews to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. Boone has been working with Alt for months with Training Haus at the Twin Cities Orthopedics in Eagan and Vadnais Heights.

Boone also played for Harbaugh when Harbaugh was head coach of the 49ers.

“Harbaugh came up to me at the combine and said, ‘Tell me about this kid,’” Boone said. “I said, ‘Coach, you’re going to love Joe.’ Joe and Harbaugh, you watch, they’re going to be something special together.”