INDIANAPOLIS — Former Indiana football cornerback D’Angelo Ponds rightly pointed out at the NFL combine that he can count the number of losses he experienced during his college career on one hand.
Ponds referenced his stellar 38-4 record on Thursday, Feb. 26 while discussing the winning mindset he’s brought to the field going back to his days playing Peewee football in Miami. The attitude became a central part of his game at Chaminade-Madonna where he faced off against future All-American wide receiver Jeremiah Smith at practice on a daily basis.
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His time playing for Curt Cignetti — a coach who built his entire identity around having “no self-imposed limitations” — pushed Ponds to punish opponents on every snap.
“I feel like I got the right mentality to never get comfortable,” Ponds said.
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) heads in during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates with Amare Ferrell (1) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Jonathan Brady (0) makes a long return during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Mario Landino (97) celebrates his sack during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) celebrates during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Fans cheer during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Hoosier the Bison decends to the field before the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) celebrates his touchdown during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Mikail Kamara (6) and Aiden Fisher (4) celebrate a sack of Kennesaw State’s Amari Odom (2) during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a touchdown to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Alberto Mendoza (16) and Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrate Alberto’s touchdown pass during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) makes the catch for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) and Mario Landino (97) celebrate during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Kellan Wyatt (13) celebrates his tackle of Kennesaw State’s Alexander Diggs (3) for a loss during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) makes the catch during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Roman Hemby (1) )before the start of the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Medoza (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Amari Kamara (44) before the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Medoza (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) celebrates his sack of Indiana State’s Keegan Patterson (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Pat Coogan (78) warming up before the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) sacks Illinois’ Luke Altmeyer (9) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Fans cheer during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) catches a touchdown during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Mario Landino (97) celebrates his sack of Illinois’ Luke Altmeyer (9) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Kellen Wyatt (13)celebrates his sack during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Khobe Martin (28) makes faces at the camera after his touchdown during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) picks up a blocked punt during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) before the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) scores a touchdown during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) tackles Michigan State’s Makhi Frazier (5) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) celebrates a first down during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti leads the team on the field during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Carter Smith (65) heads to student section after the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana students celebrate during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) catches a touchdown pass during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) heads in for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) returns an interception for a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) celebrates Hosea Wheeler’s (0) fumble recovery during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams (7) celebrates a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Devan Boykin (12) celebrates a tackle during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) sacks UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava (9) during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt CIgnetti during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) makes the catch during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Fans cheer during the BIg Noon Kickoff before the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt CIgnetti during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Jamari Sharpe (22 celebrates a stop during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Hosea Wheeler (0) dives as he and Mario Landino (97) work to recover a fumble during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Hosea Wheeler (0) celebrates his fumble recovery during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski (37) runs ffor a touchdown during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti holds up the number one to the crowd as he leaves the field after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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The Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski (37) celebrates his touchdown during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) in the pocket during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) celebrates a touchdown catch during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Stephen Daley (8) pressures Ohio State’s Julian Sayin (10) during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Louis Moore (7) celebrates with Aiden Fisher (4) and Isaiah Jones (46) after his interception during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) celebrates his first down catch during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) and Mario Landino (97) celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Kahlil Benson (67) and his family embrace and celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) holds the MVP trophy after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) scores a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) is tackled by Miami’s Romanas O.J. Frederique Jr. (29) during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignett hoists the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) an D’Angelo Ponds (5) kiss the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti talks with his team as they grab the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Lincoln Murff (45) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) and Khobie Martin (28) celebrate after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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The scoreboard after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
As an undersized defensive back, Ponds hopes his long track record of success will erase any worries NFL teams might have about drafting him.
He’s currently a projected second-round pick after declaring for the draft with one year of eligibility left.
Ponds, who won multiple state titles during his prep career, had a series of big moments during the Hoosiers’ championship run. He knocked Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson out of the Rose Bowl and opened the Peach Bowl with a pick-six against Oregon.
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He was named the defensive MVP in both games.
“Every coach really started their meetings off with that play,” Ponds said of the interception. “Showed my football IQ, how I watch film, study quarterbacks, quick game, knowing the ball had to come out fast.”
He had 61 tackles (44 solo) with four for a loss, 11 passes defended and two interceptions in 2025. Ponds became only the third defensive back in program history to earn multiple first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Ponds met with teams Thursday, will get measured at the combine Friday and participate in on-field drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. He will wait to do most of his testing with the exception of the vertical jump until IU’s pro day on April 1.
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There will be plenty of scouts who make the trip to Bloomington, but for now Ponds is focused on using those sit downs with NFL coaches, executives and scouts to convince them he can be a difference maker.
“Wherever they need me at, I’m going to play and I’m going to be dominate at it,” Ponds said with a smile.
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 D’Angelo Ponds hopes impressive resume pushes him up NFL draft boards
