Indiana announced that cornerback D’Angelo Ponds landed at No. 24 on Pro Football Focus‘ “College 50” rankings for 2025. The list highlights the top 50 players nationally heading into next season.
The Hoosiers completed their best season in program history under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, reaching the College Football Playoff.
Ponds measures 5-foot-9 and weighs 170 pounds, making him one of the smaller players on the team. But size hasn’t stopped him from playing at an elite level for two straight seasons.
“The first guy off the bus” is a phrase used to describe a team’s physically most imposing player. In that sense, Ponds would likely be the last off the bus for the Hoosiers at just 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds. That hasn’t kept him from performing like one of the nation’s best cornerbacks in each of his first two seasons, though.
The junior cornerback transferred to Indiana after a standout freshman year at James Madison. He quickly proved he could compete at the Power Five level despite his frame.
Ponds earned a 91.8 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons. That’s the highest mark among all returning FBS cornerbacks.
Ponds proved his breakout freshman season at James Madison was no fluke, quickly establishing himself as one of college football’s elite corners again last fall at Indiana.
The numbers back up the rankings. Ponds finished last season with 35 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups.
His versatility showed throughout the year. Ponds lined up both outside and in the nickel, consistently holding his own against Big Ten competition.
The Hoosiers defense will build around Ponds as they look to follow up last year’s historic run. He’s entering his third collegiate season with expectations as the defense’s cornerstone player.
