Carter Smith is a redshirt senior offensive tackle for the Indiana Hoosiers. This will be his fourth year as the team's starting left tackle.
ESPN rated the 6'5, 310-pound Smith as a three-star recruit coming out of high school. Smith attended Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell, Ohio.
Smith was a consensus All-American in 2025 as well as the Big Ten's Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year Award winner. He has started in 41 consecutive games at left tackle for Indiana.
Smith is a returning member of this offense that won the National Championship last year after six offensive starters were drafted into the NFL.
In this post, we'll go over the strengths of Smith's game, as well as some areas for concern or improvement ahead of his entry in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Carter Smith's NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Left Tackle
- School: Indiana
- Height: 6'5
- Weight: 310 LBS
- Class: Redshirt Senior
- Hometown: Powell, Ohio
Carter Smith's Career Stats
- Games Played: 43*
- Positions Played: Left Tackle, Right Tackle (one game as a freshman)
- Awards: All-American, Big Ten’s Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year, 1st Team All-Conference
- Accomplishments: Part of multiple offensive lines that were semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, Outland Trophy Finalist
*statistics do not include 2026 stats and will be updated
What are Carter Smith's biggest strengths?
- Smith's best trait is his ability to fire off the line of scrimmage and quickly make effective blocks
- That quickness and agility make him very good at combo blocks where he can tag a defensive lineman, then work to the next level to take on a linebacker or even a defensive back
- He is light on his feet and can work laterally out into space and make a useful block on a player downfield while on the move
- Well-balanced and keeps his feet moving in pass protection
- High-IQ player and good communicator
- NFL size for an offensive lineman
Where can Carter Smith improve?
- Might be tough to do as a redshirt senior, but Smith does not have good enough play strength for tackle or guard at the next level. Can he add weight or strength at this point?
- Smith appears to have below-average arm length, and with only a 6'5 frame is already undersized for tackle at the next level
- Against stronger competition, he has not shown the type of technical hand use to overcome the lack of natural size or athleticism to compensate
- Will need to show some position flexibility during the pre-draft process
NFL Draft Projection
There is a wide range of outcomes for Smith based on what happens in the next seven months. If he has a rock star season for Indiana and adds some weight and strength, he can potentially move himself into the first-round conversation for the 2027 class.
Another step he could take is to demonstrate more positional flexibility during the pre-draft process by working out at all positions at his Pro Day and the NFL Combine. This has helped a number of borderline first-rounders cement their spots as top-40 picks.
If Smith has another year like 2025 - an excellent college season, but ultimately the same player - he probably goes outside the top 50 picks in April. Offensive tackles that are good, but ultimately not physically gifted enough for guard or tackle, tend not only to fall out of the first round but end up selected late in the third round.
NFL Pro Comparison
The best-case scenario for Carter Smith to end up as a first-round pick is to follow in the footsteps of Graham Barton and go from left tackle straight to center.
Smith reminds me a lot of Barton coming out. OK size, but not long enough in general, and doesn't have the athleticism or pristine technique to compensate. And he can't just slide to guard because he doesn't have the anchor or play strength (at least, with his body composed as-is).
But a move to center is on the board for Smith. His ability to fire off the line, move in space, combo block, and stay on balance are all excellent traits for the pivot. He is also a high-IQ player and good communicator, which is, obviously, a large part of the job.
I don't project the transition to center lightly. It's not a "if he can't do anything else, let him play center" type of move. It can't be. But Smith has the positive qualities that would make him a good fit if he can handle the snapping and communication duties.
If that transition next spring were to go smoothly and at least one team sees Smith as their next starting center, a first-round selection is not at all out of the question.
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