2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 65 Days (Carter Smith)

Written by T.J. Inman

The days are flying by and football season is creeping closer. Today we take a look at one of IU’s best young players with offensive lineman Carter Smith.

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 308 pounds

Hometown: Powell, Ohio (Olentangy Liberty)

Class/Position: Redshirt Sophomore/Left Tackle

A good offensive lineman is hard to find. Finding a good left tackle that is young and still improving is darn near impossible. Thus, when rising redshirt sophomore Carter Smith entered the transfer portal after Indiana parted ways with Tom Allen, it was widely assumed that Smith would find offers way too good to pass up. His time in Bloomington appeared over and Indiana would be searching for an adequate replacement to fill the second-most important position on the field (behind only quarterback). Carter Smith was courted by many big-time programs and from the outside, appeared to be close to committing to Ole Miss and the “Portal King” Lane Kiffin. However, in late January, Smith met with Curt Cignetti and was convinced to return to Bloomington to play for the new staff.

His post on social media platform “X” was a simple one, “Here to stay. LETS GO!!!” with an accompanying video of Smith walking on the field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. It was a critical early win for Curt Cignetti and his staff as they try to build the “new Indiana”. Smith started all 12 games at left tackle for the Indiana Hoosiers in 2023. As a redshirt freshman, he was rated the 17th best tackle (left or right) in the entire Big Ten and he continued to get better throughout the season under the tutelage of Bob Bostad. Smith is considered a potential All-Big Ten performer this season and with continued development, he has the physical tools and build to be a future NFL Draft pick. 

IU had several players enter the transfer portal and they likely lost one or two that they would have liked to get back. The most irreplaceable piece to hit the portal was undoubtedly Carter Smith and he will anchor IU’s 2024 offensive line. Smith is expected to start next to the returning Mike Katic (who figures to slot in at center). The other three starters will likely be some combination of newcomers Nick Kidwell, Trey Wedig and Tyler Stephens or returning young players like Austin Barrett or Bray Lynch. The line improved dramatically in a full season under Bob Bostad and there are very high expectations surrounding the offense under coordinator Mike Shanahan and head coach Curt Cignetti. None of those expectations will be met without a strong offensive line and the return of Carter Smith is as big of a piece to the puzzle as any.

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