Indiana football’s D’Angelo Ponds declares early for NFL Draft
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BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is headed to the NFL after helping his team win a national title.
Ponds had one year of eligibility left, but during a fan event on Thursday morning at the Raising Cane's in Bloomington that he's planning on leaving early for the 2026 Draft. The lockdown corner is a projected second round draft pick, per NFL Mock Draft Database.
In the wake of the CFP title game, he also accepted an invited to participate in the Senior Bowl, an all-star game that showcases top collegiate prospects.
Ponds heads to the league as one of the most impactful players Curt Cignetti and his staff has ever produced. Ponds was one of only three defensive backs in program history to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors multiple times.
“Ponds is a player, he's a great player,” Cignetti said leading up the CFP title game. “He might be the best player I've ever coached that was with me throughout his entire career in terms of consistency, production.”
He was a near day one starter for Cignetti going back to their days at James Madison.
Ponds, a former 3-star prospect out of Chaminade-Madonna, was part of the Dukes’ 2023 signing class with only one Power Four offer coming out of high school. He ended up making 36 starts in 40 career games.
The lack of recruiting interest he received — mostly thanks to his 5-foot-9 frame — fueled him throughout his career.
“I always thought I never got the credit from what I was putting on the field,” Ponds said before the Rose Bowl.
He signed with Indiana in the spring transfer portal after Cignetti took over in Bloomington and immediately started locking down one side of the field, whether he was getting practice reps or taking on Jeremiah Smith in the Big Ten title game.
“He's the type of kid where you got to slow him down in practice cause he goes so hard,” Indiana cornerbacks coach Rod Ojong told The Herald-Times at the CFP title game media day. “He doesn’t like just allowing receivers to get off the line of scrimmage, our scout receivers to get off the line of scrimmage, to give other people a look.”
That competitiveness served him well as did his unrelenting work ethic.
Ponds extensive film study habits set the stage for a pick-six on the opening play of the Peach Bowl that set the stage for what was to come. He was the Defensive MVP in the 56-22 win over Oregon — he won the same honor in the Rose Bowl — and even caught a pass for a first down.
He maintained that elite level of play as PFF’s highest-graded player in the national title game.
After IU’s 27-21 win over Miami, he spoke with pride about being part of a “legendary group” that went 16-0 and helped the program win its first championship.
"Words can't describe my emotions right now,” Ponds said. “It's honestly a dream come true, I got emotional after the game just knowing how much work I put into this. It's a blessing for it all to come to light."
What were D’Angelo Ponds’ 2025 stats?
Ponds had 61 tackles (44 solo) with four tackles for loss, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups and forced fumble. He also scored a touchdown off a punt he blocked in a 63-10 win over Illinois.
According to PFF, he allowed just 31 receptions on 63 targets for 357 yards (only 55 yards after catch) while opposing quarterbacks only had a 53.5% when throwing his way.
Who could replace D’Angelo Ponds in IU’s starting lineup?
Indiana won’t have to start over at corner with Jamari Sharpe likely coming back and Pitt transfer Ryland Gandy on the roster. Gandy has a full year of starting experience under his belt and stepped into the starting lineup for a game against Ponds missed with an injury.
The Hoosiers also added Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris out of the transfer portal. He was a two-year starter who earned All-Big Ten honors each of the last two season.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana football’s lockdown corner D’Angelo Ponds heads to NFL
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