Bloomington – Indian football Striker Carter Smith was one of the rare players returning to the team’s squad who was not replaced by a transfer.
He didn’t even have to defend himself from one to keep his starting job.
Smith was included in the starting lineup at left tackle the minute he withdrew his name from the portal in December. The 6-foot-2, 308-pound redshirt sophomore showed all kinds of promise in 2023 by starting every game at the position.
Once new head coach Curt Cignetti brought back offensive line coach Bob Bostad — he was the only assistant from Tom Allen’s staff hired — the stage set for Smith to help usher in a new era.
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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 coach Tom Allen on down. That’s why the attacker doesn’t regret entering the portal or making some visits to other schools.
“There was a lot riding on the decision,” Smith told The Herald-Times during IU’s spring camp.
He visited programs with winning traditions like Florida State, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech, as many of his former teammates found homes elsewhere, including linemates Matthew Bedford (Oregon) and Khalil Benson (Colorado).
Smith relied on guidance from his family, but it wasn’t until Cignetti officially hired Bostad that the focus of those conversations shifted from weighing other options to remaining in Bloomington.
“I trust Bostad 100 percent,” Smith said, emphasizing each syllable.
Smith’s initial meeting with Cignetti, a face-to-face meeting in the coach’s sparse office, also had an impact.
“He had his feet up on the table,” Smith said, laughing. “He was like, I have a job to do.”
That work was establishing a winning tradition at a school that hadn’t won a bowl game since 1991, but Cignetti expresses the same kind of bravado in private as in public. He presented his proposal and let Smith meet with his family to think about it.
The fact that Cignetti’s proposal was not accompanied by any kind of ultimatum resonated with Smith.
“They made it clear they wanted me back, but they were very respectful when I went to some other schools,” Smith said. “I felt like I was in the right mindset. They made the decision easier because they respected me.”
Smith still felt like a freshman when Indiana returned to work in January. He had a lot of new names to learn, from the 28 mid-year signups to an almost completely revamped training and support team.
“I can definitely name everyone on offense,” Smith said, laughing.
More: Projected Indiana football defensive depth chart for 2024 after spring practice
Carter Smith’s education
Indiana’s 35-31 loss to Purdue provided plenty of motivation for Smith heading into the offseason.
It wasn’t just the heartbreaking nature of the loss — the Boilermakers rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to take the lead with just 2:39 remaining — but Smith found his own performance lacking.
“The two guys on the edge (Nic Scourton and Kydran Jenkins) were really quick,” Smith said. “They finally figured out my game and we had to switch so I could get help from my guard when they were making inside moves.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Scourton was responsible for six of his team’s 14 quarterback pressures in the game, while Smith gave up three quarterback hurries, which tied a season high.
It was a stark contrast to Smith’s performance in pass protection for much of the season. He earned his first perfect grade of the fall just three weeks earlier, when the previous team doled 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-highest-rated 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 toward building on that success came during IU’s off-season conditioning program. Smith said he made huge gains 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 very strong guy and I can show that on the field, but there are still a few points left,” said Smith.
The work Smith got during spring camp was equally important. He echoed what many of his teammates have said about finding Cignetti’s heavy emphasis on team repetitions useful — having the offense go against the defense in situations similar to 11-on-11 games.
He also appreciated the new wrinkles that defensive tackles coach Pat Kuntz and defensive backs coach Buddha Williams threw into the mix.
“I think our defensive line got a lot more freedom,” Smith said. “They’ve been great even in one-on-ones, but in team reps they’re doing some different things before they normally have to keep up with the game. They had a chance to show what they can do on their own.”
The daily reps against Kamara were an education in themselves. Kamara was an emerging defender for James Madison last year, with 7.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.
“He’s a nuisance, man,” Smith said. “He’s a very good defensive lineman. He’s probably the guy I have the most problems with this year. false step inside. There’s so much riding on him, it’s so hard to read.
As Smith looks ahead to the fall, he is hopeful that all the work will be worth it. He echoed what Cignetti said during camp about the offensive line being one of IU’s potential strengths.
Although Smith and Mike Katic are the only returning starters, the Hoosiers brought plenty of experience in the portal.
Former Wisconsin offensive tackle Trey Wedig is expected to start at right tackle. He is a fifth-year senior and played in 35 games (eight starts) and played for Bostad before coming to Bloomington.
James Madison transfers Nick Kidwell and Tyler Stephens will feature prominently 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 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 all of its coverage clicking here.
This article originally appeared in The Herald-Times: Inside Carter Smith’s return to Indiana football under Curt Cignetti
