Indiana's offensive line is shaping up to be a powerhouse in the 2026 college football season, with redshirt senior guard Drew Evans playing a pivotal role. Known for his rock-solid presence, Evans is ranked as the ninth-best returning offensive guard nationally and sixth in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Evans has been a cornerstone for the Hoosiers, starting at left guard for the past two seasons and helping secure a national championship last year. His pass protection skills are top-notch, boasting an impressive 81.5 PFF pass-blocking grade since 2024, with zero sacks allowed over 656 career pass-blocking snaps. That's a testament to his value, as he wrapped up 2025 among the top 20 most valuable guards in the nation, according to PFF's wins above average metric.
Teaming up with left tackle Carter Smith, who holds the top spot in PFF's tackle rankings, Evans is expected to keep quarterback Josh Hoover well-protected this season.
Despite missing four games last season due to injury, Evans' performance was instrumental in Indiana's Big Ten and National Championship run. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 309 pounds, he was part of a formidable blocking unit that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, recognizing the nation's top offensive line.
A native of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, Evans is set to begin his third consecutive season as Indiana's starting left guard. Since taking over full-time in 2024, he's made 20 career starts, overcoming multi-week injuries each year.
Evans' journey is remarkable. Starting as a two-star recruit and walk-on at Wisconsin, he followed offensive line coach Bob Bostad to Indiana in 2023, maintaining their strong player-coach relationship.
With Evans back, Indiana projects to return three offensive line starters in 2026. Alongside him are redshirt senior left tackle Carter Smith, the 2025 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and redshirt senior interior lineman Bray Lynch. Rising redshirt sophomore Adedamola Ajani, who gained experience across various positions, is also set to return.
However, Indiana will feel the loss of starting center Pat Coogan and starting right tackle Kahlil Benson to graduation, along with rotational lineman Zen Michalski.
To bolster their ranks, the Hoosiers made a splash in the transfer portal by acquiring Wisconsin transfer Joe Brunner. Ranked as the No. 2 transfer interior offensive lineman, Brunner started all 12 games at left guard last season without allowing a single sack in 316 pressure opportunities, according to PFF.
With Evans leading the charge, Indiana's projected starting offensive line could feature Smith at left tackle, Evans and Brunner at guard, Lynch at center, and Ajani at right tackle. This lineup promises to be a formidable force in the upcoming season.