IU football 2026 preseason position previews: Offensive Tackles

IU offensive tackle Carter Smith.

Welcome to “IU football 2026 preseason position previews,” a series that will break down the depth chart and production potential of Indiana’s roster ahead of the 2026 season.

Next up: Offensive Tackles

Previously: Specialists, Cornerbacks, Safeties, Linebackers, Defensive Tackles, Defensive Ends

Personnel

Returners: Carter Smith, Adedamola Ajani, Baylor Wilkin

Departures via transfer portal: Evan Lawrence (San Diego State), Mitch Verstegen (undeclared)

Departures via graduation/NFL Draft/Out of eligibility: Kahlil Benson, Zen Michalski

Arrivals via transfer portal: None

Incoming freshmen: Ben Novak, Kenton Mondeau

What is different in 2026?

The depth chart for IU football at offensive tackle in 2026 is settled, at least on paper.

In 2025, the Hoosiers had a clear choice at left tackle in Carter Smith, one of the best tackles in the country. At right tackle, it was a revolving door between Kahlil Benson, Zen Michalski and Adedamola Ajani.

Benson and Michalski are both out the door, leaving two clear options on both sides of the line. It is still important to have depth behind them.

The probable starters

Carter Smith (Redshirt senior, 6-foot-5, 313 pounds)

There may not be a better tackle in college football ahead of the 2026 season than Smith.

After a relatively surprising decision to return to Indiana instead of heading to the NFL, Smith immediately cemented himself as one of the most valuable players on Indiana’s roster.

Smith’s 2025 season was one of the best in the country for an offensive lineman. In 16 starts, he had an 85.7 overall PFF grade, an 87.7 pass blocking grade and an 83.4 run blocking grade. He only allowed two sacks all season.

Those numbers may not describe how important a player he was. This list may.

• Consensus All-American
• First-team All-America by American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America and Walter Camp Football Foundation
• Second-team All-America per Associated Press and The Sporting News
• Additional All-America honors from The Athletic (1st), Pro Football Focus (1st), CBS Sports (2nd), On3 (2nd) and Sports Illustrated (2nd)
• First Hoosier to win the Big Ten’s Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year
• First-team All-Big Ten by the conference media and coaches panels
• Outland trophy finalist

Smith had surgery to repair a torn labrum in the offseason. He missed spring camp, but expects to be fully healthy for fall camp.

All he needs to do to be successful in 2026 is to do what he did in 2025.

Adedamola Ajani (Redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-4, 308 pounds)

Ajani’s story is similar to many other Cignetti recruits. Comes in under-recruited, climbs up the depth charts and delivers when called upon.

Ajani was a three-star recruit in the 2024 class out of Speedway High School in Speedway, Indiana. He redshirted his freshman season, but did make three appearances. In 2025, he took another step up, making 12 appearances and four starts.

Ajani was plugged in to fill any hole on the line. He saw time at left guard when Drew Evans went down with an injury, where he made three of his starts. His other start came in the Rose Bowl vs. Alabama at right tackle. He was incredible in that game as part of an offensive line that destroyed the Crimson Tide’s front seven.

With Joe Brunner and Drew Evans holding down the guard spots, Ajani can slot perfectly into the starting right tackle spot. Cignetti counts on players with experience. Even though Ajani is young, he has acquired that necessary experience in the biggest moments.

Baylor Wilkin (Redshirt freshman, 6-foot-5, 289 pounds)

Wilkin was a three-star recruit in the 2024 class out of Finlay High School in Van Buren, Ohio. He appeared in the late stages of four blowout games in 2025.

Ben Novak (6-foot-6, 317 pounds)

Novak is a three-star recruit in the 2026 class out of Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana. He is rated a top-80 offensive lineman nationally by the three major recruiting services.

Kenton Mondeau (6-foot-7, 315 pounds)

Mondeau is a three-star recruit in the 2026 class from Eau Claire North High School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He is a top-10 rated recruit in the state of Wisconsin.

Predicted depth chart

Left tackle

• Carter Smith
• Ben Novak

Right tackle

• Adedamola Ajani
• Baylor Wilkin
• Kenton Mondeau

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