Noah Algee’s older brother Alex was a standout wide receiver at Columbus North and now plays at University of Indianapolis.
But Noah realized from an early age that he didn’t quite have the speed like his brother to be a wide receiver. So he developed into a tight end and offensive lineman.
“The end of PAAL years, I kind of got bigger, and I was like, ‘All right, let’s try something different,’” Noah Algee said. “So I started looking to O-line. I like blocking kids, and I thought, ‘This is fun,’ because I like protecting people.”
Now a senior captain, Noah is the lone returning full-time starter on the offensive line for the Bull Dogs. He started at right tackle last season before moving to left tackle this fall.
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At left tackle, Noah has been charged with protecting the blind side of quarterback Trenton Kelley.
“I know about every position on the O-line, which helps a lot,” Noah said. “It also lets me mentor the other kids that are on the O-line that kind of struggle. They kind of look up to me as their teacher, next to (offensive line) coach (Aaron) Karrer.”
Noah actually began his high school football career as a tight end. He played there as a freshman and sophomore before moving to tackle last year.
This year, the 6-foot-1 Algee weighs in at 235 pounds.
“He’s an athletic offensive lineman,” North coach Tim Bless said. “He’s not as big as some of the offensive linemen, but he’s big enough. He’s built himself up in the weight room, and certainly, his game is predicated on quickness and intelligence.”
North was ranked No. 3 in Class 6A last week before taking its first loss of the season. The Bull Dogs fell 17-10 at Guerin Catholic, which moved up to No. 6 in this week’s 3A poll.
In the wake of that defeat, Bless is tweaking the offensive line this week, although he isn’t tipping his hand as to who will be playing which positions.
“As a team, we’ve had our good games, and we’ve had our downs,” Algee said. “We rearranged our O-line for this week, where I think we’re going to have a good line moving forward, and I think we’ve figured things out.”
Algee is not planning to play college football. He is applying to the U.S. Military Academy, and is looking at ROTC if that doesn’t work out.
Bless called Algee a leader on the team and in the school.
“He’s been solid,” Bless said. “He’s a kid that’s banged up and plays through pain and doesn’t miss a rep. He’s physically prepared each Friday night, he’s mentally prepared every Friday night and we’re proud of him.”
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Name: Noah Algee
School: Columbus North
Year: Senior
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 235
Position: Offensive tackle
Sports: Football, track and field
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