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Carter Smith's return to Indiana football under Curt Cignetti

BLOOMINGTON – Indiana football offensive lineman Carter Smith was one of the few returning players on the team's roster who was not displaced by a transfer.

He didn't even have to fend off an attack to keep his place in the starting lineup.

Smith was in the starting lineup at left tackle when he withdrew his name from the portal in December. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound redshirt sophomore showed plenty of potential in 2023, starting every game at the position.

After new coach Curt Cignetti brought back offensive line coach Bob Bostad – the only assistant from Tom Allen's staff still on the team – the stage was set for Smith to usher in a new era.

More: Projected Indiana Football Offensive Lineup for 2024 After Spring Training

How Carter Smith's path led back to Indiana football

There was a brief moment in late November when Smith thought everyone who recruited him to Indiana was gone – from head coach Tom Allen down – so the offensive lineman has no regrets about entering the portal or taking a few visits to other schools.

“A lot was riding on that decision,” Smith told the Herald-Times during IU’s spring camp.

He attended programs with winning traditions such as Florida State, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech, while many of his former teammates found homes elsewhere, including linemates Matthew Bedford (Oregon) and Khalil Benson (Colorado).

Smith relied on his family's advice in deliberating, but it was only when Cignetti officially retained Bostad that the focus of those discussions shifted from weighing other options to remaining in Bloomington.

“I trust Bostad 100 percent,” Smith said, emphasizing each syllable.

Smith's first meeting with Cignetti, a personal conversation in the coach's sparsely furnished office, also had an impact.

“He had his feet up on the desk,” Smith said, laughing. “He said I have a job to do.”

That job involved establishing a tradition of winning at a school that hasn't won a bowl game since 1991, but Cignetti shows the same bravery in private as he does in public. He made his proposal and let Smith sit down with his family to think it over.

The fact that Cignetti's offer did not come with any ultimatum appealed to Smith.

“They made it clear they wanted me back, but they were very respectful of me going to one of the other schools,” Smith said. “I felt like I had the right mindset. They made the decision easy because they respected me.”

Smith still felt a bit like a rookie when Indiana returned to work in January. He had to learn a lot of new names, from the 28 first-year recruits to an almost completely revamped coaching and support staff.

“I can definitely name anyone on offense,” Smith said with a laugh.

More: Projected Indiana Football Team Defensive Lineup for 2024 After Spring Training

The education of Carter Smith

Indiana's 35-31 loss to Purdue was a big offseason motivator for Smith.

It wasn't just the heartbreaking nature of the loss – the Boilermakers overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take the lead with 2:39 left – but Smith's own performance left much to be desired.

“The two guys on the edge (Nic Scourton and Kydran Jenkins) were really fast,” Smith said. “They finally figured out my game and we had to switch so I could get help from my defender when they went inside.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Scourton was responsible for six of his team's 14 quarterback pressures in the game, while Smith allowed three quarterback hurries, which is a season record.

This was in stark contrast to Smith's performance in pass defense for much of the season. His first perfect grade of the fall had come just three weeks earlier, when the previous team handed out superlatives for the team's upset win over Wisconsin.

Pro Football Focus ranked Smith as IU's highest-rated offensive lineman in 2023 and the fifth-best freshman offensive lineman in the Power Five. He played the third-most snaps (797) on the team and allowed 19 quarterback pressures (two sacks).

The first step Smith took to build on that success came during IU's offseason conditioning program. Smith said he made great strides in building a “better strength base” as the team began working under the supervision of new strength and conditioning coach Derek Owings.

“I'm a pretty strong guy and I can show that on the field, but there are still some areas where I have weaknesses,” Smith said.

The work Smith got during spring camp was just as important. He echoed what many of his teammates have said, which is that they found Cignetti's heavy emphasis on team reps — pitting the offense against the defense in game-like 11-on-11 situations — helpful.

He also appreciated the new touches that defensive tackle coach Pat Kuntz and defensive ends coach Buddha Williams brought to the mix.

“I think our defensive line has been given a lot more freedom,” Smith said. “They've been really great one-on-one, too, but in the team reps, they're doing some different things than what they normally have to follow the game. They've gotten a chance to show what they can do on their own.”

Daily drills against Kamara were a lesson in itself. Kamara was a standout defender for James Madison last year, recording 7.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.

“He's a nuisance, man,” Smith said. “He's a really good defensive player. He's probably the guy I've had the most trouble with this year. He's just so unpredictable. He makes a three-step move. Just a fake step inside. There's so much to his game, it's so hard to figure out. That's what makes him such a good player.”

Smith looks forward to the fall hoping all the work will pay off. He reiterated what Cignetti said during training camp that the offensive line is one of IU's potential strengths.

While Smith and Mike Katic are the only returning starters, the Hoosiers brought a lot of experience into the portal.

Former Wisconsin offensive lineman Trey Wedig is expected to start at right tackle. He is a fifth-year senior who appeared in 35 games (eight starts) and played for Bostad before coming to Bloomington.

James Madison transfers Nick Kidwell and Tyler Stephens will play important roles on the interior of the line. Kidwell is a rare seventh-year player who has played in 52 games (35 starts) and Stevens in 36 games (29 starts).

Both have played numerous positions.

“The bar has definitely been raised,” Smith said.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana reporter for the Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X. @michaelniziolek and read his full report by clicking here..

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