Countdown to 2026 Indiana Football Kickoff- 65 Days Carter Smith

The memories of IU’s unprecedented and historic unbeaten run to the National Championship are still fresh in our minds but the work is just beginning for the 2026-2027 Indiana Hoosiers. As Curt Cignetti and his staff gear up for year number three in Bloomington and embark on a quest to become repeat champs, Hoosier Huddle’s Countdown to Kickoff rolls on!

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 313 pounds

Hometown: Powell, Ohio (Olentangy Liberty High School)

Class/Position: Redshirt Senior/Offensive Line

Much of the success for the remarkable turnaround of the Indiana football program goes to stars like Fernando Mendoza or Elijah Sarratt or defensive studs like Mikail Kamara or even coaches like Curt Cignetti and Bryant Haines. While each of those elements absolutely deserve credit, Indiana does not sniff the College Football Playoff or a 16-0 season without the amazing performance of the offensive line. Bob Bostad’s unit has been rock solid in each of the past two seasons and the big boys upfront helped IU average more than 200 yards per game on the ground in 2025/2026.

The Indiana Hoosiers averaged 39.5 points per game (against FBS opponents), the third-best mark in the country and none of that would be possible without a great offensive line. Pat Coogan was the vocal leader of the 2025 line but the best individual player was left tackle Carter Smith. After briefly considering the NFL Draft, IU’s All-American tackle chose to return for his final season in Bloomington and he is the focus of today’s countdown feature.

Carter Smith was a consensus three-star recruit who was brought to Bloomington during the Tom Allen regime. He was considered a quality prospect after starring at Olentangy Liberty High School and the athletic profile (he lettered in volleyball as well as football) was encouraging for his future development. Smith appeared in two games in 2022 and redshirted. His potential began to emerge as he staked his claim to the starting left tackle job as a redshirt freshman in 2023, starting all 12 games and largely holding his own. That season was Tom Allen’s final campaign and after he was fired, Carter Smith entered the transfer portal.

Young offensive tackles draw a lot of interest and Smith went as far as taking an official visit to Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels before handing Curt Cignetti an early huge win and announcing his return to Indiana for the 2024 season. Aided by Smith’s strong play at left tackle, IU’s offense exploded for more than 40 points in eight games (program record), most total offensive touchdowns (70) and most points scored in a single-season (537). Carter Smith was named honorable mention All-Big Ten and IU reached the College Football Playoff.

Of course, the Hoosiers were just getting started. The reliable and durable Smith started all 16 games at left tackle and racked up more awards than we will choose to list in this article. Some highlights: consensus All-American, including first-team All-America by the AFCA, FWA and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, finalist for the Outland Trophy. The Hoosiers were fantastic on offense and Carter Smith played a key role in Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy campaign as Indiana won the 2025-2026 National Championship. 

At the end of the season, Carter Smith again faced a decision. This time, it was whether or not to leave for the NFL Draft. Again, Smith chose to return to Bloomington. He has started a remarkable 41 straight games at left tackle and has already etched his name into IU lore as one of the best offensive linemen (if not THE best) the school has ever produced.

If he stays healthy, he will start well more than 50 games for Indiana and a strong season as a redshirt senior could earn him a spot in the top ten of the 2027 NFL Draft. Smith will start on a unit that should be among the best offensive lines in the country and he’s a key piece of an offense that is expected to lead Indiana on another run to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. 

The countdown continues each day on Hoosier Huddle until IU kicks off the 2026 season against the North Texas Mean Green!