On March 31st, Carter Smith, Indiana's star left tackle, just helped the Hoosiers snag their first national championship in 2025, beating Miami 27-21 on January 19th. The Big Ten's offensive lineman of the year battled a torn labrum in his left shoulder through the whole playoff run, but decided against the NFL. Draft. Instead, he got surgery back home in Powell, Ohio, and chose to return for his senior year in 2026.
That way, he can prove he's still dominant post-injury and boost his draft stock with more elite film. Smith's call is huge for the team. Good tackles like him don't grow on trees. Fans and coaches are pumped because it keeps their line intact after back-to-back Joe Moore Award finalist nods.
He's sidemined for spring practice now, but plans to live soon and be full speed by fall camp at summer's end. The Hoosiers line stays sacked with returners like Drew Evans and Bray Lynch, plus transfers and recruits for depth. With seal position stars and a brutal October stretch against Nebraska, Ohio State, and Michigan, plus eight home games, Indiana's defending that. Title looking scary good.
August can't come fast enough.