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.
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.
Career Arc
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Luke Fickell
Career stats
| Season | Team | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wisconsin | 26 | 46 | 56.5% | 201 | 4.4 | 2 | 1 | 103.2 | -- | -- |
| Career | 26 | 46 | 56.5% | 201 | 4.4 | 2 | 1 | 103.2 | -- | -- |
| Season | Team | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wisconsin | 44 | 87 | 2.0 | 1 | -- |
| Career | 44 | 87 | 2.0 | 1 | -- |
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 11 · 2025
W 13–10
vs Washington
8 yds · 0 TD · 0 INT · QBR 12.5 · 47 rush yds (15 car) · 1 TD
A wire-to-wire battle — won by 3 at home.
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Wisconsin
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Quarterback · Wisconsin
Returning around him
- 40% of 2024 offensive production back (Moderate turnover)
- Transfer portal: +8 net (33 in / 25 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Wisconsin · Last season: 4-8 · Talent rank #28 · 2026 recruiting class #78
Background
2025 Season: Played in four games, making three starts at quarterback during his true freshman season … became the first Badger true freshman to start at QB since Jay Macias in 1991 … made debut against No. 23 Washington on Nov. 8, entering in relief of Danny O’Neil, and helped guide UW to its fi...