Blake Smythe Rising Star at IU

Blake Smythe, a 6’2”, 283-pound freshman defensive lineman from Trafalgar, Indiana, is already making headlines as one of the top 20 recruits in the 2026 class. With 261 tackles, 50+ tackles for loss, and 20 sacks in high school, he’s a disruptive force who also adds interceptions and fumble recoveries. Already flashing potential in the IU spring game, Smythe’s early impact mirrors that of Mario Landino — and he’s poised to see playing time as a freshman. The 2026 season is shaping up to be electric, and Smythe is a key piece of the puzzle. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/0f627b250920a458