Carter Smith
Indiana#22 overallDraft Movement
Down 1 spot since Jun 8
Scouting Report
Carter Smith has been the constant on Curt Cignetti's Indiana turnaround, anchoring left tackle for three straight seasons after redshirting in 2022 and turning down a quick trip through the transfer portal once Bob Bostad sold him on staying. He profiles as a thickly-built 6'5", 308-313-pound technician with the temperament offensive line coaches dream about: heavy-handed, late-rep mean, and constantly fighting to finish through the whistle. NFL Draft Buzz has him as OT3 in the 2027 class at an 87.0 grade with a #25 overall projection, while NFL Mock Draft Database places him at consensus #33 with a 2nd-round projection across 66 mock appearances. Bleacher Report's Brandon Thorn assigned a 7.4 grade (high-level backup/starter, Round 3) when Smith was considering the 2026 draft, comping him to Braden Smith and grade-similar prospects Jordan Morgan and Cody Mauch. FantasyPros' Matthew Jones likewise tagged him a Round 3 player whose physical profile may force a kick inside to guard. PFF career marks of 70.3 run-blocking and 68.8 pass-blocking grades back up the tape: he allowed only 8 sacks across 2,719 snaps and surrendered zero sacks through the 2025 conference championship game. The questions are length and lateral burst against high-side speed from wide-9 alignments, but his anchor, hand strength, and football IQ travel. By choosing to return for 2026, he's chasing a true Day 2 grade and a chance to test cleanly in Indianapolis.
Strengths
- Three-year LT starter with 36+ consecutive starts and 2,644+ college snaps
- Vise-grip hand strength that neutralizes finesse rushers and stalls swims/spins on contact
- Stifling, well-timed punch with a potent inside strike that widens the rush arc
- Thickly-built anchor with low pad level and excellent knee-bend that rarely gets walked back
- Devastating run blocker with explosive get-off, hip torque, and the leg drive to pin and seal lanes
- Elite competitive toughness and finishing demeanor through the echo of the whistle
- Exceptional combo/double-team feel and timing climbing to the second level to wall off linebackers
- Surprisingly effective screen and pull blocker thanks to anticipation and discipline maintaining frame
Weaknesses
- Mediocre arm length leaves him stacked at the fingertips against long-armed edge rushers
- Gets grabby with hand placement when beaten, projecting to NFL holding calls
- Opens hips and turns shoulders prematurely versus high-side speed from wide-9 alignments
- Only adequate lateral quickness and recovery athleticism
- mechanical, regimented redirect
- Heavy-footed when forced to mirror elite arc benders
- relies on anticipation over burst
- Zero meaningful experience outside left tackle (one career snap at guard, 60 at RT)
NFL Comparison
Braden Smith (B/R pro comp, strain, hand strength, scheme-fit RT/G); Wyatt Milum (NFL Draft Buzz 87% similarity, tackle-with-guard-questions archetype); Cody Mauch (Thorn grade comp 7.4, power, toughness, projected interior kick); Peter Skoronski (87% similarity, short-armed LT with translation question)
College Stats
2022: redshirt, 2 games, 61-snap debut vs Ohio State. 2023: 12 starts at LT, 2 sacks allowed. 2024: 13 starts at LT, 2 sacks (Joe Moore semifinalist line). 2025: 13+ starts, 0 sacks through conf. championship; 100% PFF pass-block grade games. Career: 40+ games, 2,644 snaps, 4 sacks allowed total, 70.3 PFF run grade, 68.8 PFF pass grade, 3.2% pressure rate.
Measurables
Awards & Honors
Consensus All-American (2025); Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (2025); First-Team All-Big Ten (2025); Outland Trophy semifinalist (2025); Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (2025); Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (2024); Joe Moore Award semifinalist line (2024, 2025); First-Team All-Ohio HS (Olentangy Liberty); 4-star recruit.