Carter Smith
Indiana#29 overallDraft Movement
Down 8 spots 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. Scouts grade him as a top-3 tackle in the 2027 class with a first-round projection, though consensus boards land closer to a second-round grade across dozens of mock appearances. Evaluators assigned a third-round grade (high-level backup/starter) when Smith was considering the 2026 draft, comping him to Braden Smith and grade-similar prospects Jordan Morgan and Cody Mauch. Others 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.
The Tape
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 (strain, hand strength, scheme-fit RT/G); Wyatt Milum (tackle-with-guard-questions archetype); Cody Mauch (power, toughness, projected interior kick); Peter Skoronski (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; multiple perfect pass-block-grade games. Career: 40+ games, 2,644 snaps, 4 sacks allowed total, strong run and pass grades, 3.2% pressure rate.
College Market Value
Our model prices him at $1.62M on the open college market, built from production, pedigree, role and Indiana's program money. No credible deal has been reported for him this season.
Every P4 player priced, math public: College players & NIL · Roster spend
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.