2025 IU football position preview: Offensive line

With the 2025 football season kicking off next month, Inside the Hall is providing a position-by-position preview of the roster. Today: Offensive Line.

Previously: Quarterback, Running back

Similar to the other offensive position groups, Indiana’s offensive line made a significant leap last season under second-year run game coordinator and offensive line coach Bob Bostad.

Despite dealing with injuries, the line excelled in protecting quarterback Kurtis Rourke and opening holes for a breakout rushing attack. As a result, the group was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, which honors the nation’s top offensive line.

With seniors Mike Katic and Trey Wedig graduating, Bostad turned to the transfer portal in search of veteran replacements to maintain momentum heading into the 2025 season.

The projected line

LT: Carter Smith (R-Jr.)
LG: Drew Evans, Kahlil Benson (R-Sr., Colorado)
C: Pat Coogan (R-Sr., Notre Dame)
RG: Bray Lynch (R-Jr.)
RT: Zen Michalski, R-Sr., Ohio State)

Left Tackle: Carter Smith

Coming off an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, Smith has quickly risen through the ranks and enters the 2025 season as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference. He was outstanding last year protecting Rourke, allowing just six quarterback hurries and two sacks over 13 games.

The 6-foot-5, 308-pound redshirt junior will begin his third consecutive season as Indiana’s starting left tackle, having started 25 straight games since the 2023 season opener.

While there may be changes elsewhere on the line, Smith is poised to make the leap from All-Big Ten to All-American in 2025.

Left Guard: Drew Evans, Kahlil Benson

Despite missing all of spring camp while recovering from an Achilles tear suffered late last season, Evans is expected to return to his left guard spot for his redshirt junior season.

Before the injury, Evans was Indiana’s highest-rated pass blocker, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). His absence ahead of the Michigan game marked a turning point for the offensive line, which struggled down the stretch, giving up a flurry of sacks over the final four games.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said in the spring that Evans is expected to be cleared for fall camp ahead of the season opener against Old Dominion.

If Evans isn’t ready, Colorado transfer Kahlil Benson will likely step in. The former Hoosier returned to Bloomington this offseason to add depth. He appeared in nine games for the Buffaloes last season, missing three due to injury.

The Southaven, Mississippi, native brings versatility with experience at both guard and tackle, giving Bostad a reliable platoon option in case of injury.

Center: Pat Coogan

Fresh off a trip to the national championship game, Coogan, a Notre Dame transfer, elected to spend his final season of eligibility in Bloomington.

Coogan, who didn’t start until week three of last season for the Fighting Irish, will be the starting center for the Hoosiers this season, replacing a hole left by the graduation of Katic.

The Chicago, Illinois, native has appeared in 30 games, starting in 26 throughout his four years in South Bend. Though Cignetti has proclaimed on numerous occasions that no job is safe, it is evident that quarterback Fernando Mendoza will line up behind Coogan this season.

Right Guard: Bray Lynch

Making his collegiate debut last season, Lynch was incredible at right guard for Indiana. The sophomore started all 13 games, becoming increasingly dominant as the season went on.

Lynch was ranked among the top 10 best guards in the Big Ten last season by PFF. Additionally, the Austin, Texas, native spent multiple weeks at the top of the list of best pass-blocking offensive linemen in the country.

Though the other guard position is still up for grabs, Lynch has likely secured his role on the right side of the line and will be next to Coogan all season long as the right guard.

Right Tackle: Zen Michalski

The first offensive line transfer to commit to Indiana in January, Michalski, comes from national championship-winning Ohio State to play his final year of eligibility with the Hoosiers.

Bostad and Indiana were in search of an experienced right tackle to replace Wedig, who has exhausted his eligibility.

A former four-star recruit, Michalski struggled to see the field in his four seasons in Columbus, playing 260 snaps throughout his career, all but one at left tackle. Fitting the mold of what Bostad has looked for in a transfer offensive lineman, Michalski is likely to be the everyday guy at right tackle for Indiana this season.

Outlook

Cignetti and Bostad have lofty expectations for the line this season and for good reason. The offensive line very well could be Indiana’s best position group this season. All six potential starters have a wealth of experience and will likely all play a role in protecting Mendoza this season.

It will come as no surprise if the Hoosier line is back in contention for the Joe Moore Award this season.

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

Category: Football

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