D’Angelo Ponds, a Defensive Back, brings essential depth to Indiana football’s defensive backfield.
Head coach Curt Cignetti, along with defensive coordinator Bryant Haynes and defensive backs coach Rod Ojong, recognized the need for reinforcement in the secondary before spring practice began. The departure of cornerback Kobee Minor heightened Indiana’s urgency for additional defensive back support. Fortunately, Cignetti and his team swiftly addressed this requirement.
They revisited James Madison University to secure assistance for the secondary. D’Angelo Ponds, a promising rising sophomore defensive back, has committed to joining the Hoosiers. Ponds, a former three-star recruit from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida, showcased his talent in all 13 games for the Dukes last season, starting in ten. As a freshman, Ponds impressed with 51 tackles, 13 pass breakups, two interceptions, two tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries. His outstanding performance earned him recognition as a Freshman All-American Second Team member by both the Football Writers Association of America and HERO Sports Group of Five. Additionally, he received Second Team honors in the Sun Belt Conference.
Upon entering the transfer portal, Ponds attracted interest from several schools, including Illinois, Boston College, USC, Auburn, Cincinnati, Duke, Miami, Wake Forest, and Tulane, in addition to Indiana. With three years of eligibility remaining, Ponds brings considerable potential to the Hoosiers’ defensive lineup.
