Indiana CB D'Angelo Ponds Announces Career News Before Miami Game
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The Indiana Hoosiers are aiming to win their first national championship on Monday, facing off against the Miami Hurricanes. The Hoosiers are 15-0, with a chance to keep the perfect season alive.
Indiana has been dominant on defense. They rank second in points allowed per game (11.1) and fourth in total yards allowed per game (260.9). A big contributor to that success has been cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.
He has racked up 56 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, eight pass deflections and one forced fumble. His pick-6 against the Oregon Ducks was Indiana’s first touchdown in the Peach Bowl on the way to a 56-22 win.
Amid a season where the cornerback earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, he continues to earn several exciting off-field opportunities. Before playing Miami, Ponds announced a new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) partnership with Raising Cane’s.
“Fueling up for the big game with @raisingcanes @drpepper #CaniacAmbassador,” he wrote via an Instagram post.
Raising Cane’s joins a growing list of companies to partner with Ponds, including C4 Energy and Amazon. His On3 NIL valuation, an estimated $717,000, is the fifth-highest among college football cornerbacks.
Despite being a junior with another year of eligibility, Ponds may be playing his final game with the Hoosiers. ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranks him as the fifth-best cornerback potentially available in the 2026 NFL Draft. Though no official decision has been revealed, time may be running out for him to capitalize on more NIL deals.
With Ponds’ latest partnership announced with Raising Cane’s, Indiana prepares to face the Hurricanes’ offense. Miami ranks 30th in the nation in points per game (31.6).
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET Monday at Hard Rock Stadium, airing on ESPN and streaming on the ESPN app. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Hoosiers a 68.3% chance of winning.
Related: Ohio State Loses Safety to College Football Transfer Portal
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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