Carter Smith
Carter Smith didn't allow a sack. He became the first Indiana player ever named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and PFF rates him the No. 1 returning tackle in the country. He gave up a Day 2 draft slot to run it back.
Carter Smith didn't allow a sack. He became the first Indiana player ever named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and PFF rates him the No. 1 returning tackle in the country. He gave up a Day 2 draft slot to run it back.
Smith's 2025 was as clean as it gets at left tackle: zero sacks allowed in the regular season, an 88.8 PFF grade across 372 pass-blocking snaps, and the first Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award in Indiana history. PFF now ranks him the No. 1 returning offensive tackle in the country. A four-year starter, he passed up a projected Day 2 draft slot to take his final year. The forward stakes are a program's ceiling: Indiana's Playoff push runs through a blindside that, with Smith on it, is among the most secure in the sport. The most accomplished returning tackle in college football headlines a Hoosier line built to contend.
How he plays
Smith is a pass-protection technician first — the cleanest profile a tackle can have. The numbers are the argument: zero sacks allowed and an 88.8 PFF grade over nearly 400 pass-blocking snaps, the kind of season that doesn't happen by accident. He's a four-year starter with the footwork and anchor to handle Big Ten edge speed and power, and PFF's No. 1 returning-tackle ranking reflects a player without an obvious hole. The blindside is the most important real estate on an offense, and Smith makes it a non-issue — which is exactly why a Playoff-hopeful line is built around him.
The story
Smith's 2025 was as clean as it gets at left tackle: zero sacks allowed in the regular season, an 88.8 PFF grade across 372 pass-blocking snaps, and the first Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award in Indiana history. PFF now ranks him the No. 1 returning offensive tackle in the country. A four-year starter, he passed up a projected Day 2 draft slot to take his final year. The forward stakes are a program's ceiling: Indiana's Playoff push runs through a blindside that, with Smith on it, is among the most secure in the sport. The most accomplished returning tackle in college football headlines a Hoosier line built to contend.
Career Arc
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Curt Cignetti
How he plays
Play style
Smith is a pass-protection technician first -- the cleanest profile a tackle can have. The numbers are the argument: zero sacks allowed and an 88.8 PFF grade over nearly 400 pass-blocking snaps, the kind of season that doesn't happen by accident. He's a four-year starter with the footwork and anchor to handle Big Ten edge speed and power, and PFF's No. 1 returning-tackle ranking reflects a player without an obvious hole. The blindside is the most important real estate on an offense, and Smith makes it a non-issue -- which is exactly why a Playoff-hopeful line is built around him.
2026 Outlook
Indiana
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Offensive line · Indiana
Returning around him
- 25% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
- 8 Indiana players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: +1 net (17 in / 16 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Indiana · Last season: 16-0 (AP #1) · Talent rank #72 · 2026 recruiting class #29
Perception vs tape
Smith's 2025 was as clean as it gets at left tackle: zero sacks allowed in the regular season, an 88.8 PFF grade across 372 pass-blocking snaps, and the first Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award in Indiana history. PFF now ranks him the No.
Read the story →Background
Career Notes & Records Earned his bachelor’s degree in sport marketing and management from Indiana ... Appeared in 43 career games with 41 starts ... Made 41 consecutive starts at left tackle dating back to the 2023 season ... Part of an offensive line that was named semifinalist for the Joe Moor...