One way or another, D’Angelo Ponds was going to come up with an interception.
The Indiana cornerback was facing Washington back in 2024. The Huskies had the ball on their own 7-yard line on second down and 8. They were trailing 7-0 early in the second quarter – because Ponds had already returned an interception for a 67-yard touchdown.
Washington quarterback Will Rogers was under pressure on the play, but he managed to get the pass off.
Unfortunately for him, Ponds was in an excellent position along the sideline. With the ball en route, the intended receiver for Washington battled and tried to knock the ball out of Ponds’ hands.
And he did. For a second.
As he fell to the ground, Ponds remained focused. He reached out and corralled the interception with one hand. Once again, he forced a takeaway for Indiana.
Whether it was in that game, when he thrived to start his collegiate career at James Madison, or when he returned an interception for a touchdown against Oregon on the first play of scrimmage in the 2025 College Football Playoff semifinal, Ponds showcased he was capable of thriving at the next level.
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D’Angelo Ponds NFL Draft Betting Odds
D’Angelo Ponds has +1200 betting odds to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, per BetMGM.
D’Angelo Ponds NFL Draft Projection
I project D’Angelo Ponds will be selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Teams like the Lions and Packers would make sense for him.
Personally, I think Ponds has the talent to be a first-round cornerback. But I could see NFL teams coming up with reasons to disagree.
Ponds started his career at James Madison, a Group of Six school, and then followed head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana. And there, he was a part of a loaded squad so maybe didn’t have the demands other cornerbacks do. His size could give some teams pause. And when he does reach the pro ranks, will he play on the outside or in the slot?
But if Ponds does drop out of the first round, I’ll still look for him to be an above-average defensive back.
D’Angelo Ponds’ Height & Weight
D’Angelo Ponds was measured at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds at the NFL Combine. He has an arm length of 29 3/8 inches and a hand size of 9 5/8 inches.
Ponds was first among cornerbacks at the NFL Combine with a vertical jump of 43.5 inches. He didn’t participate in any other measurable drills at the combine.
D’Angelo Ponds Stats & Highlights
Ponds, a HERO Sports G5 All-American during his time at JMU, was regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the country when he transferred to Indiana.
Ponds tallied 51 tackles, two for loss, with two interceptions and two forced fumbles while at JMU in 2023. A freshman that year, he was 11th in the FBS with 15 passes defended.
He just kept improving when he went to Indiana. He tallied 55 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, three interceptions, and 12 passes defended in 2024. The following season, he recorded 61 tackles, four TFLs, two picks, one forced fumble, and two passes defended.
Where Is D’Angelo Ponds From?
D’Angelo Ponds is from Miami, Florida. He went to high school at Chaminade Madonna before starting his collegiate career at James Madison.
D’Angelo Ponds NFL Draft Profile & Comparison
My NFL comparison for D’Angelo Ponds is Deommodore Lenoir of the San Francisco 49ers. Both are undersized compared to others at their position, but both are explosive athletes and can play outside corner or in the slot.
Ponds’ size will be a concern for NFL teams, which may lead to him playing nickelback. But either way, he can be an impactful player.
Among cornerbacks in the FBS who played at least 490 snaps last year, Ponds was fifth in Pro Football Focus’ grades for overall defense and coverage.
Though he’s not the tallest, Ponds finishes tackles and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder and hit people. With just two missed tackles, he had the fourth-best missed tackle rate at 3% in 2025. He was top 20 for yards after catch allowed with 56. He was 11th for tackling and 16th for run defense in PFF’s grades last year.
Ponds has great closing speed and instinctively knows how to attack the ball when it’s in the air. He allowed 32 catches for 379 yards on 64 targets while allowing no touchdowns. In fact, he allowed just one touchdown in his two years at Indiana.
Ponds is also disciplined, as he committed just one penalty last season. He can also contribute on special teams, as he blocked a couple kicks and returned a couple blocked punts for touchdowns during his collegiate career.
Wherever he goes, wherever he plays, I expect Ponds to make a difference for an NFL team.
