Indiana All-American left tackle Carter Smith is on track to start the season opener against North Texas on Sept. 5.
Would Smith even still be in Bloomington if not for a late first half injury in the national championship game against Miami?
That’s a question that might never be answered, but the Hoosiers are happy to have the 6-foot-5 and 313-pound fifth-year from Powell, Ohio back. College programs don’t often enjoy the luxury of the Big Ten’s Offensive Lineman of the Year and consensus First-Team All-American returning to school for a fifth season.
Smith had shoulder surgery soon after the national title game. Knowing that was going to significantly impact his ability to make a strong impression in front of the NFL ahead of the draft, he made the decision to return to college.
After missing spring practice, Smith appears to have full clearance at fall camp. He has been seen in scrimmage videos in 11-on-11 activities, and just as one example at practices, he’s repeatedly dropping his full body weight to the ground in a prone position, and pushing back up to standing during calisthenics. That seems like a pretty good indication he’s fully confident in the shoulder.
Live action on the field is furthering that confidence. Every collision makes the next feel more natural.
“I feel strong. I actually had an incident today where I broke my arm brace, so I think I’m feeling extra strong from that,” Smith said this week. “In terms of playing the game, it never really leaves. Being out for spring ball and being part of the offense still having a good gauge and watching everything that’s happening doesn’t really count me out I don’t think. So, I’m feeling good and it’s good to be back in there.”
With his NFL dreams still in front of him, there isn’t much chance of Smith entering his final season of college football complacent. Especially not when playing for head coach Curt Cignetti and offensive line coach Bob Bostad.
But there’s no more decorated offensive lineman in the nation this year. In addition to all of his postseason and preseason accolades, he’s the highest-graded returning offensive tackle in the nation according to PFF. How is Smith avoiding the temptation of patting himself on the back and easing into the 2026 campaign?
“I’m trying to set an example for some of the young guys,” he said. “For example, I’m trying to get off social media as best as I can. I think I tried to take that from Fernando (Mendoza) this year. It really worked well for him, and seeing all that stuff on social media, it starts to creep up on you and maybe kills your preparation or your mindset. So I’m just trying to quiet all that stuff out.”
There’s another factor keeping Smith sharp at fall camp.
He’s going against arguably the best defensive line in the country every day at practice. The edge rushers he faces are especially deep and talented.
Smith seemed to really develop over the last two years going against outside talent like Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley, Kellan Wyatt and others.
This year he’s being pushed every day by waves of All-Big Ten caliber edges.
“I could say a lot of things about our D-line right now, they give me a lot of problems,” Smith said. “A lot of big guys on the edge. Chiddi (Obiazor) is tall, strong, fast. Tobi (Osunsanmi) is really fast. Squeak (Tyrique Tucker) and Mario (Landino) are very disruptive inside. It’s just one of the best groups to be able to — iron sharpens iron. We go out there, we bang heads and make each other better every day. That’s all we can do.”
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