After watching three weeks of practice and talking with the players and coaches this month, it’s time to take a final position-by-position look at IU football ahead of the 2026 season.
Next up is the offensive line.
THE COACH
Bob Bostad is the lone holdover from Tom Allen’s tenure as Indiana head coach. Bostad joined Allen’s staff in 2023, and Curt Cignetti retained him. That was a decision he has not regretted. IU was good up front in 2024, and elite in 2025.
THE MAIN MEN
The starting lineup has been clear for a while.
Carter Smith (6-foot-5, 310) is back at left tackle after being named the Big Ten’s offensive lineman of the year and first team All-American in 2025. He had offseason shoulder surgery that forced him to miss spring practice, but Smith looked as good as ever in fall camp.
Drew Evans (6-foot-4, 310) will start at left guard for the third straight year. Evans has suffered some injuries the last two seasons, but when’s he’s healthy he’s among the nation’s best interior linemen. According to PFF he has never allowed a sack.
Bray Lynch (6-foot-5, 307) is the starting center. He is also entering his third year as a starter, although this is his first year playing center after playing right guard the last two seasons. Lynch improved quite a bit as the 2025 season progressed.
Adedamola Ajani (6-foot-4, 305) will be the right guard. He’s the most inexperienced of the five. Ajani played both guard spots and right tackle last season over 361 snaps. The staff likes him best on the interior right now. Ajani played 35 or more snaps against Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama, Miami and others.
Joe Brunner (6-foot-7, 320) will start at right tackle. A Wisconsin transfer, this is his first season playing on the outside. Brunner has also never allowed a sack in his college career according to PFF.
THE COMPETITION
There wasn’t much in the way of serious competition since the spring. At least not for starting roles. Cignetti said the above five were locked in before fall camp, and we never saw that change in August.
The closest thing to a competition was Lynch, Evans and few others auditioning for the center job. But Lynch was always the presumed leader. Evans and a few others have the practice reps to be ready for the role if needed.
A YOUNG PICK TO CLICK
Austin Leibfried (6-foot-6, 303) is in his third year with the program. He saw 69 snaps on offense last year and another 38 on special teams. He might be the choice to step in if anything happens to one of the interior linemen.
Cignetti also named redshirt freshmen Matt Marek (6-foot-3, 305) and Baylor Wilkin (6-foot-5, 295), and true freshman Sam Simpson (6-foot-3, 308) as younger guys who performed well in fall camp.
TWO CONCERNS
The two primary concerns with this group are depth, along with Lynch and Brunner playing new positions.
Evans and Lynch were unknowns two years ago and became foundational pieces on the line. The point being, if someone gets injured, Bostad will likely have a backup ready to step in. The 2024 versions of Evans and Lynch taught us to not assume limited experience or name recognition means incapable of playing well in this offense.
As for Lynch and Brunner, IU won’t be tested the first three weeks, which should give them plenty of reps to begin to master the nuances of their respective new roles.
BOLD PREDICTION
We’re going to say Evans finally gets some much deserved recognition and earns second-team or better All-Big Ten this year.
THE OUTLOOK
This is a solid group. If Brunner and Lynch successfully make their transitions and the starters remain healthy, this should be Cignetti and Bostad’s best offensive line in their three years together. The running game and pass protection should both be top shelf.
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