Carter Smith

NFL Draft Profile: Carter Smith

Position: Offensive Tackle | School: Indiana | Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6'5" | Weight: 313 lbs | Archetype: Balanced (Power/Zone Hybrid)

College Career Summary

Carter Smith is the "foundational piece" of the modern Indiana football resurgence. A former four-star recruit from Ohio, Smith redshirted in 2022 before taking over the starting Left Tackle job in 2023. Since then, he has been a model of consistency, starting 36 consecutive games and serving as the primary protector for the Hoosiers’ high-octane offense.

His 2025 season was legendary in Bloomington. He spearheaded a unit that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, helping Indiana record five different games with over 300 rushing yards—a program record. Smith’s individual performance saw him earn First-Team All-Big Ten and Consensus All-American honors, highlighted by his "Outland Trophy Player of the Week" performance in a massive road win against Oregon. While some scouts project a move to Guard due to arm-length concerns, his 2025 tape at tackle is among the most efficient in the country.

Career Stats & Highlights

• Career Starts: 36 (All at Left Tackle)

• 2025 Sacks Allowed: 0 (Regular Season)

• 2025 Pressures Allowed: 6

• Pancakes: ~52 (2025 Season)

• Holding Penalties: 0 (in 2024 & 2025)

• Honors: 2025 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year; Consensus All-American.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Old Dominion	A	Paved way for 309 rushing yards; clinical in space.
2	vs Western Illinois	A+	Part of program-record 701 total yards; 5 pancakes.
4	vs Charlotte	A	Erased defenders at the second level on screen plays.
6	@ Northwestern	B+	Quietly efficient; zero pressures allowed in 380-yard passing day.
7	@ Oregon	A+	The Apex. Named Outland Player of the Week; shut down elite speed.
8	vs Michigan State	A	Kept a clean pocket; helped QB Fernando Mendoza throw for 332 yards.
9	vs UCLA	A-	262 team rushing yards; dominated the point of attack in the 4th.
11	@ Washington	B+	Excellent in zone slide; effectively walled off the edge.
12	@ Ohio State	C+	Worst Game. Struggled with elite bend; allowed two hurries (no sacks).
13	vs Purdue	A	Senior day masterclass; 582 team yards in a blowout win.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Leadership: Elite. The emotional leader of the line; remained loyal to IU through a coaching change.

• Mental Toughness: High; survived lean years to lead a championship-caliber front.

• Competitor: Fierce; known as a "finisher" who plays through the whistle.

• Team Player: Praised for his "coachability" and willingness to stay on an island.

• Star Power: High; 2025 accolades have made him a household name in scouting circles.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 90/100

• Height/Weight: 6'5", 313 lbs. (Meets height, Borderline weight).

• Stamina: High; maintains foot speed and posture well into the 4th quarter.

• Durability: Elite. 36 consecutive starts; never missed time due to injury.

• Injury History: Medically clean.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Run Block: Strength. Generates massive torque and "thudding" power on contact.

• Pass Block: Elite efficiency; allowed zero sacks during the 2025 regular season.

• Strength: Plus; correlates weight-room power (squat/bench) to "heavy hands" on the field.

• Technique: Mastery; exceptional hand timing and a very stable anchor.

• High Motor: Constant; high-hustle player who excels in the screen game.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 85/100

• Speed: Adequate; more of a "short-area" power athlete than a long-range burner.

• Agility: Solid; uses anticipation to make up for lack of elite "twitch."

• Flexibility: Good; shows natural knee bend and "sink" to absorb power.

• Acceleration: Explosive initial step; fires out of his stance with bad intentions.

• Footwork: Quick and clean; active feet help him maintain blocks after engagement.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 97/100

• Awareness: Elite. Three-year starter with a masterful understanding of defensive fronts.

Scouting Report

• Strengths: 36-game starter with elite "on-field" intelligence; thudding power in the run game; allowed 0 sacks in 2025; technically refined hands and a pro-ready anchor; exceptional locker-room leader.

• Weaknesses: Build is slightly smaller for a modern NFL Left Tackle; length may be a concern against elite NFL "reach" rushers; occasionally plays on his heels when overcompensating for edge speed.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Smashmouth/Power-Gap or Play-Action system (e.g., Colts, Dolphins, Lions).

• NFL Comparison: Braden Smith / Joe Thuney.

Scout's Final Word

"Carter Smith is the safest 'football player' in the tackle class. While some may knock his measurables, his tape is undeniable—he simply does not allow his quarterback to get hit. His ability to anchor against power and displace bodies in the run game makes him a Day 1 starter. Whether he stays at Tackle or slides to Guard, he is a long-term NFL fixture. Draft Projection: 2nd Round (Potential 1st Round with good measurements)."