2024 Position Preview: A Meshing of New and Old Will Form Cornerstones of the Offensive Line

Image: Indiana Athletics

Written By Nick Gonzales (@nrgonzales_)

Indiana Football is almost back, and to continue building that excitement, we will be looking at the offensive line. While there were a lot of changes when it came to IU’s coaching staff, the Hoosiers decided to keep offensive line coach Bob Bostad so he can continue his work with some returning linemen and coach up the new transfers and freshmen commits.

After a poor 2023 season, Indiana fired head coach Tom Allen which led to four starting offensive linemen entering the transfer portal and one entering the NFL draft. Of those five linemen, three of them transferred to different schools (Carter Smith was the only starting lineman to enter the transfer portal and return, and Mike Katic decided to withdraw from the draft and return to Bloomington).

Due to their departures, the Hoosiers brought in three transfers to fill their spots. In addition, the reserve linemen have been ceaselessly working to take the reins from those who left IU to pursue the rest of their collegiate career elsewhere. Already, the Hoosiers o-line is looking much improved and are prepping for the first game of the season against FIU on August 31st. With that, let’s take a look at the linemen on this freshly rebuilt Indiana roster.

Carter Smith – Redshirt Sophomore, 6’5”/308 pounds

It was a major relief when the Hoosiers brought back left tackle Carter Smith after entering the transfer portal in November of 2023. The redshirt sophomore started in all 12 games last season and was one of the best young tackles in the Big Ten last year. After this season, he may be considered one of the top tackles in the nation. Smith has worked day after day to improve and help the Hoosiers have an explosive offense this year. Smith will continue to start at left tackle this season and can’t wait to show off his dominance on the field in 2024.

Tyler Stephens – Senior +, 6’5”/311 pounds

Stephens is one of the three transfers to join Indiana during the offseason. Transferring from James Madison to IU, the veteran lineman will be a major contributor in Curt Cignetti’s new squad. During his career, Stephens has appeared in 36 games making 31 starts. He achieved second-team All-Sun Belt Conference as a senior and was an integral part of a JMU team that couldn’t stop winning. He has now brought his talents to Bloomington in an attempt to start a new culture of winning for the Hoosiers. With Stephens now a part of the offense, Indiana will try to recreate the success that JMU had and Stephens will play a key role in helping the offense take flight. 

Mike Katic – Redshirt Senior +, 6’4”/318 pounds

The Hoosiers are lucky to see Katic return to IU after he withdrew from the 2024 NFL Draft. He is already familiar with offensive line coach, Bob Bostad, however he won’t be playing his usual position. This year, Katic will be taking the field as the Hoosier’s center. He describes the transition as “smooth,” but also much different than before since now he has to worry about what everyone is doing and be comfortable in reading the defense. In a Q&A, Katic believes his years of experience playing on the offensive line has helped the transition go smoother. He was voted a team captain for the 2023 season and has appeared in 39 games (37 of them being starts). He has been a part of Indiana’s team since 2019 and is a tremendous leader for the team. He’s hoping to play a great season this year and leave Indiana’s program better than he found it, while also improving his draft stock.

Nick Kidwell – Redshirt Senior +, 6’5”/316 pounds

Kidwell is one of the most experienced players on the offensive line this season. It’ll be his first season playing for the Hoosiers but his seventh collegiate season. Before he transferred from JMU to IU, he appeared in 52 games, the last 34 being starts. He earned second-team All-Sun Belt Conference in 2022 and was named first team All-Colonial Athletic Association in 2021. After suffering from a season-ending injury in 2023, Kidwell received a medical hardship waiver extending his college career. He plans to bounce back this year and has been working nonstop in order to prepare for the Big Ten. What stands out the most about him isn’t his size and power but his leadership. 

Trey Wedig – Redshirt Senior, 6’7”/319 pounds

It may be Trey Wedig’s first season in Bloomington, but he is already very familiar with the Big Ten. The 6’7” redshirt senior transferred to Indiana from Wisconsin to be reunited with offensive line coach, Bob Bostad. Wedig was a four-star prospect coming out of high school and the #1 recruit in Wisconsin (according to ESPN and 247Sports) and a top 10 offensive tackle (#8 per ESPN, #10 per 247Sports & Rivals). During his collegiate career at Wisconsin, Wedig appeared in 35 games (did not play his freshman year) with eight starts. The Hoosiers scored a big time offensive tackle this offseason in Wedig and will rely on the beast to block some elite pass rushers from reaching the ball carrier.

Bray Lynch – Redshirt Sophomore, 6’5”/307 pounds

Lynch is an absolute unit who will provide support to this newly shaped o-line. The redshirt sophomore comes from the famous Westlake High School in Austin, Texas where plenty of big-time college and NFL players have come from. He’s a very powerful blocker and will be vital to the Hoosier’s run game and attempting to keep the pocket as clean as possible. Lynch will be an essential piece for this revamped Hoosier offense. With the return of Coach Bostad, Lynch is working around the clock to help get this offense where it needs to be by game day and show the Big Ten what the new Indiana University Football program looks like.

Cooper Jones – Redshirt Junior, 6’5”/314 pounds

Originally starting out as a defensive lineman for the Hoosiers, Cooper Jones move to the offensive line prior to fall camp in 2023. With only one season of offensive line experience on the college level, Jones appeared in all 12 games last season, seeing time on special teams. This year, Jones will most likely be providing depth to the left tackle position behind Carter Smith. With defensive experience, he has extra knowledge of how the d-line will try to pressure the o-line and can use his knowledge to his advantage. He’s a big player with the strength to move bodies. His skills will come in handy when he’s needed on the gridiron.

Vincent Fiacable – Redshirt Junior, 6’4”/315 pounds

Fiacable still hasn’t found his groove in IU’s offense yet. He has appeared in three games since 2021, only appearing in one game during the 2023 season on special teams. He still has some time left in his collegiate career to see some more time at guard. With a new head coach and offensive coordinator, maybe he’ll be a better fit for the Hoosiers than in previous years, but he still has a lot to prove. He is the fourth member of his family to play for Indiana. His father, Steve Fiacable Sr., was an offensive lineman from 1988-91. Vince’s eldest brother, Steve Jr., was also an offensive lineman for IU (2009-10), and his brother Mike was a quarterback from 2015-18. It’s not crazy to say that IU football runs in his blood.

Drew Evans – Redshirt Sophomore, 6’4”/306 pounds

Drew Evans started his collegiate career with Wisconsin and came to IU with Coach Bostad in 2023. As time progresses, so do Evans’ skills. While Evans hasn’t seen any game action in college, the redshirt sophomore will provide depth to the offensive line this year and is waiting for his time to shine on the gridiron.

Austin Barrett – Redshirt Freshman, 6’6”/308 pounds

Barrett is a big and talented tackle who has yet to have his moment in the spotlight. After not seeing any game action during the 2023 season, the freshman decided to redshirt his initial collegiate season. However, he plans to see some game action this season. The three-star recruit was ranked among the top heavyweight wrestlers nationally during his senior year of high school (according to FloWrestling). He was also ranked in the top 25 recruits in Illinois by On3 (#12), 247Sports (#19), and Rivals (#25). While he hasn’t experienced his collegiate debut yet, he is ready to prove himself in front of thousands of fans.

Mitch Verstegen – Freshman, 6’4”/290 pounds

The three-star offensive tackle recruit is joining IU during a major turning point. Tabbing first-team Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State and Fox Valley Association Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior, Verstegen will provide some depth to the offensive line while also using the time to improve and prepare for the day when he gets the chance to see the field as a college athlete.

Austin Leibfried – Freshman, 6’6”/288 pounds

Another three-star freshman prospect on this o-line is Austin Leibfried. Leibfried was rated a top 10 prospect in Wisconsin per ESPN and 247Sports. He helped guide his high school team to three-straight Badger Conference titles and in time will help in Indiana’s attempt at achieving a Big Ten Conference Title. He was a two-time Wisconsin Football Coaches Association all-region selection and Badger Conference Offensive Lineman of the year (as a senior). While most likely not seeing much of the field this season, Leibfried has a lot of potential and Coach Bostad will try to tap into some of that potential for the next few seasons.

Evan Lawrence – Freshman, 6’6”/281 pounds

The third three-star freshman lineman joining this squad is Evan Lawrence. Lawrence was named Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State and Indianapolis Star Central Indiana Super Team as a senior. Lawrence was rated the No. 41 offensive tackle nationally according to On3. He’s an excellent acquisition for the Hoosiers and if he can beef up some more and continue to practice and get comfortable in this offense, he will be a monster on the field.

Adedamola Ajani – Freshman, 6’4”/301 pounds

Ajani is the final freshman to join the roster as an offensive lineman. The Indiana native was rated a top 55 offensive line prospect by ESPN (#53) and 247Sports (#52). He most likely won’t see any time on the field to begin his collegiate career but will definitely be a scary sight to behold by the end of it. He’ll be providing some extra depth to the line, but mostly will be getting comfortable with his new environment and training until his time comes.

Walk-Ons

Max Williams – Redshirt Sophomore

Jack Greer – Redshirt Sophomore