As Indiana prepares to defend its national championship in 2026, senior offensive lineman Carter Smith enters the season as one of the Hoosiers’ most important players. Widely regarded as one of the top left tackles in college football, Smith played a crucial role in protecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza during his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign last season, helping pave the way for Indiana’s historic run to the national title.
Now back in Bloomington for his final collegiate season, Smith is expected to once again serve as a cornerstone of Indiana’s offensive line. His health, however, became a major storyline during the offseason.
Smith underwent shoulder surgery in the spring to repair a torn labrum, causing him to miss the entirety of spring practice. But as fall camp moves forward, the veteran lineman appears to be making significant progress.
Carter Smith says he feels stronger than ever
With Indiana now entering its third week of fall camp, Smith says he is feeling “extra strong.”
Speaking with reporters after Wednesday’s practice, Smith shared an unusual example of just how confident he feels physically.
“I feel strong,” Smith said. “I actually had an incident today where I broke my arm brace, so I’m feeling extra strong from that.”
Considering how difficult heavy-duty arm braces are to damage, Smith’s story offered another encouraging sign that he is regaining his strength following shoulder surgery.
Recovering from a serious shoulder injury can be especially challenging for an offensive lineman. The position demands constant upper-body strength, leverage and physical contact on virtually every snap. For Indiana, hearing Smith say he is feeling strong is undoubtedly positive as the Hoosiers prepare for another championship pursuit.
Smith remains central to Indiana’s championship ambitions
Indiana’s hopes of competing for a second consecutive national championship will depend heavily on the performance of its offensive line, with Smith expected to lead the way.
At 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds, Smith has developed into one of the most dependable players in the program. He enters the 2026 season having made 41 consecutive starts at left tackle dating back to 2023 while establishing himself as an elite pass protector.
Over 2,516 career snaps, Smith has surrendered only four sacks, an impressive mark that highlights his consistency and effectiveness on the edge. His standout 2025 season also earned him the Big Ten’s Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year Award, making him the first Indiana player to receive the honor.
With TCU transfer Josh Hoover set to take over at quarterback, protecting the new signal-caller will be a primary responsibility for Smith and the Hoosiers’ offensive front.
If his performance and growing confidence during fall camp are any indication, Indiana appears to be getting its veteran left tackle back at full strength. And with Smith once again anchoring the offensive line, the Hoosiers will enter their title defense with one of their most important leaders ready to set the tone up front.
