For the first time in 10 years, three Indiana football players have been picked in the NFL Draft. And this is the first time ever that those three players have all come off the board in the first two rounds.
Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is the latest Hoosier whose name was called in Pittsburgh. The New York Jets selected him in the second round at No. 50 overall, reuniting him with former IU receiver Omar Cooper Jr.. He’s IU’s first pick in day two of the NFL Draft, after Fernando Mendoza and Cooper both went in Thursday’s first round.
Ponds blossomed into a star at Indiana the last two years, earning All-American status this past season. He recorded three interceptions as a sophomore in 2024, and he took one back for a touchdown. As a junior in 2025, he picked off two passes, including an opening-play pick six in the Peach Bowl.
The Miami native was a consistent playmaker for the Hoosiers all over the field. He blocked a punt in each of his two seasons in Bloomington, and took that for a touchdown this past year against Illinois. He posted four tackles for loss in 2025, and 4.5 in 2024. He also forced a memorable fumble in the Rose Bowl, with a big hit on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
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