Skip to main content
Hoosiers Now

D’Angelo Ponds Becomes First Indiana Defensive Player Selected in 2026 NFL Draft

D'Angelo Ponds was the first Indiana defensive player taken in the NFL Draft after the New York Jets selected the defensive back in the second round.
Jared Shlensky|
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.
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. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

Indiana Hoosiers

Only two cornerbacks heard their names called in the first round of the NFL Draft, but that wasn't the case on Friday. Five cornerbacks went in the second round, including Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds.

Ponds was the first Indiana defensive player taken in the Draft after the Jets took him with the 50th overall pick. Ponds will also remain teammates with wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., whom the Jets took with the 30th overall pick on Friday.

Ponds should play right away on both defense and special teams, and possibly start.

What D’Angelo Ponds’ Selection Means for Indiana Football

About D'Angelo Ponds

Ponds came to Indiana along with head coach Curt Cignetti two years ago, and immediately made an impact for the Hoosiers. Ponds was a two-time All-American and the Defensive MVP of both the Rose Bowl and the Peach Bowl this year.

Ponds started 27 games over his two-year career in Bloomington and dominated on both defense and special teams. Ponds racked up 118 tackles, picked off five passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and blocked a punt, which he also returned to the house.

If Ponds were six feet tall and ten pounds heavier, he probably would have been a first-round pick, but he's only 5-foot-9, 173 pounds.

Either way, Ponds proved his value over the last two years and is an intriguing player to follow moving forward.

Ponds Receives Praise From Top Pick Fernando Mendoza & Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines

When it comes to compliments from quarterbacks, this is about as good as it gets. After all, Fernando Mendoza was the best player in college football last year and won the Heisman Trophy for a reason.

I don't care that Mendoza and Ponds were teammates; high praise doesn't go unnoticed or come easily. However, when the top pick in the draft says you're the best corner he's played with or against, you take note of it.

Mendoza comes across as a super nice guy, but you don't hear him talk about defensive players like that often. That's saying something, and should be duly noted.

But he wasn't the only member of the IU football program to vouch for him either. Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines took to X shortly after the Jets drafted Ponds and had a similar response to Mendoza.

Ponds Draws Comparisons to New Head Coach Aaron Glenn

Maybe it's just a coincidence, but many pundits have compared Ponds to his new head coach Aaron Glenn.

ESPN touched on it after Ponds was drafted, and Jets GM Darren Mougey even mentioned it, too. And it makes sense considering both were undersized defensive backs with great speed.

Some youngsters might not remember Glenn as a player, but he had a really nice career -- 15 seasons and a three-time Pro Bowl selection -- and just like Ponds, was 5-foot-9 and around 180 pounds in his playing days.

Other IU Players Drafted on Friday

Ponds was one of two Indiana players drafted on Friday, as running back Kaleon Black was selected in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers.

Black was the only running back selected on day two of the draft and is one of three running backs to be picked so far in the Draft.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Jared Shlensky
JARED SHLENSKY

Home/Football