With football season approaching, we’re going through Indiana’s roster to look at each position group going into fall camp.
Indiana’s offensive line was one of the team’s most consistent position groups last season.
Curt Cignetti retained Bob Bostad on his first staff at IU, making him the lone holdover from Tom Allen’s coaching staff. And that proved a smart move, as the offensive line’s continuity with Bostad helped the group continually develop and improve from 2023. The unit has more continuity in 2025, with three returning starters, and some younger players who could be ready for more action. Combined with a few key transfer additions, and the Hoosiers have a promising offensive line for the coming season.
Roster turnover — who’s gone
- Mike Katic (exhausted his eligibility)
- Tyler Stephens (exhausted his eligibility)
- Trey Wedig (exhausted his eligibility)
- Nick Kidwell (exhausted his eligibility)
- Cooper Jones (not returning)
- Noah Bolticoff (transfer — North Alabama)
- Vinny Fiacable (transfer — Florida Atlantic)
- Austin Barrett (transfer — Iowa State)
Roster turnover — who’s back
- Carter Smith (redshirt junior)
- Drew Evans (redshirt junior)
- Bray Lynch (redshirt junior)
- Jack Greer (redshirt junior)
- Mitch Verstegen (redshirt freshman)
- Austin Leibfried (redshirt freshman)
- Evan Lawrence (redshirt freshman)
- Adedamola Ajani (redshirt freshman)
Roster turnover — who’s new
- Pat Coogan (redshirt senior; transfer — Notre Dame)
- Kahlil Benson (sixth-year senior; transfer — Colorado)
- Zen Michalski (redshirt senior; transfer — Ohio State)
- Matt Marek (3-star, Orland Park, Ill.)
- Baylor Wilkin (3-star, Van Buren, Ohio)
- Evan Parker (3-star, Carmel, Ind.)
Projected depth chart
Here’s our best estimate of Indiana’s offensive line depth chart.
Left tackle: Carter Smith, redshirt junior, 6-foot-5, 313 pounds (25 career starts at IU)
Left guard: Drew Evans, redshirt junior, 6-foot-4, 309 pounds (nine career starts at IU)
Center: Pat Coogan, redshirt senior, 6-foot-5, 311 pounds (26 career starts at Notre Dame)
Right guard: Bray Lynch, redshirt junior, 6-foot-5, 312 pounds (13 career starts at IU)
Right tackle: Zen Michalski, redshirt senior, 6-foot-6, 310 pounds (one career start at Ohio State)
Primary backups:
- Kahlil Benson, sixth-year senior, 6-foot-6, 319 pounds (21 career starts at IU and Colorado)
- Austin Leibfried, redshirt freshman, 6-foot-6, 306 pounds
- Adedamola Ajani, redshirt freshman, 6-foot-4, 308 pounds
- Jack Greer, redshirt junior, 6-foot-3, 313 pounds
The starting lineup should be pretty set, with one caveat. Evans is back in practice a little quicker than originally expected after his Achilles injury suffered in November 2024. The Hoosiers are certainly going to be careful with him and make sure he’s really ready to roll before throwing him into game action. If he is, in fact, good to go for the season-opener, we’d expect him to start at left guard. If there are any concerns or doubts and he needs time before playing games, Benson should take over that slot.
Benson should see action this season regardless of Evans’ situation. He can essentially be considered the primary backup offensive lineman — he’d be the likely replacement if any openings pop up at several positions up front.
Why it will work
Bostad’s group has shown a lot of improvement year-over-year, and it’s become one of the better offensive lines in the Big Ten. His coaching is a big reason for that. Indiana, as a full team, finished last season tied for 16th in the country and tied for seventh in the Big Ten in fewest penalties per game, at 4.8. That stat extends beyond the offensive line, but it’s at least partially reflective of a disciplined line that rarely held back the offense.
IU’s line is pretty well-balanced between run-blocking and pass-blocking, and this group has a lot of experience. Individually, Smith is one of the best left tackles in the Big Ten, and Evans played at that level before his injury. Coogan and Michalski were good additions out of the transfer portal, and guys like Benson who can play multiple positions are valuable.
Why it won’t
Wedig was so good for Indiana in run-blocking last year, posting the ninth-best PFF grade in the country and second-best in the Big Ten. No other Hoosier was even close to Wedig in that department. IU needs to see improvement in run-blocking from at least a few offensive lineman to avoid a major drop-off in the run game this year. Additionally, Michalski’s 33.2 pass-blocking grade last season at Ohio State is a massive concern as he replaces Wedig at right tackle. It’s imperative that he gets better in pass protection for IU to reach its potential as an offense — if he can’t, he could easily get replaced.
Benson is a key depth piece, but the remaining reserves after him are unproven. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad, but their inexperience isn’t a good thing, either. Big questions would arise if IU has to turn to one of the redshirt freshmen in a big role.
Prior previews:
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