Which Players Improved Their NFL Draft Stock at Indiana Pro Day

Representatives from all 32 NFL teams descended on Bloomington to test 28 former Indiana Hoosier players in preparation for the NFL Draft on April 23rd.

While it is a forgone conclusion that quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the number one overall pick, a handful of Hoosiers saw their stock soar.

D'Angelo Ponds, Cornerback

D'Angelo Ponds drew oohs and ahhs when he ran the 40-yard dash on Wednesday. It was the reaction of the gallery as his unofficial time was 4.31.

It was the most anticipated event not involving Mendoza. Ponds wowed scouts with his 43.5" vertical jump at the combine, but his measurables were still a red flag for many. Ponds, who many saw as a day two pick, saw his stock rise with his blazing performance.

Indiana CB D'Angelo Ponds runs 4.31 40-yard dash at pro day.pic.twitter.com/hwNdyb2Ily
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) April 1, 2026

Elijah Sarratt, Wide Receiver

Waffle House was open again on Wednesday, but his route running and catch capabilities were already known. Instead, it was his speed that pumped up his stock.

Sarratt ran an unofficial 4.45 40-yard dash. One of the biggest questions heading into pro day was his speed, but he answered those questions and could slide up into the second round of the draft.

Jonathan Brady, Punt Returner/Wide Receiver

Brady may not be an NFL draft pick when it is all said and done, but he showed scouts what he can bring

to the table and increased his likelihood of being picked up as a free agent. Brady stood out as a punt returner in 2025, scoring IU's first touchdown of the year on a punt return. On Wednesday, he showed what he could do as a receiver. He ran crisp routes, showed good hands and ran a very unofficial 4.39 40-yard dash,

E.J. Williams, Wide Receiver

While most of the people were focused on Omar Cooper Jr. and Sarratt, E.J. Williams put his name on the radar on Wednesday. Williams ran an unofficial 4.39 40-yard dash and showed off his speed running vertical routes for Mendoza as well.

His 6'4" frame, combined with his hands and speed, makes him an interesting prospect. His injury history may tarnish some of the traits that made him a five-star recruit out of high school.

Kaelon Black, Running Back

It was a little bit of a shock that running back Kaelon Black was not invited to the NFL Combine last month, especially since he played in the Senior Bowl. Black put up some stunning numbers at IU's Pro Day on Wednesday, running a 4.43 40-yard dash and bench pressing 225 lbs. 27 times. If he was not on many people's radar coming into Wednesday, he definitely turned some heads with his performance.

.@kaelonblack6 had himself a day ‼️ pic.twitter.com/KiL5oLECJj
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) April 2, 2026

Final Thoughts

Wednesday's pro day in Bloomington was the culmination of the 2025 season, which saw the Hoosiers go 16-0 and win the national championship. IU had 28 players participate in front of all 32 NFL teams, and with the NFL Network in town. It was a two-hour Hoosier infomercial.

While all eyes were on Fernando Mendoza, his focus was on setting up his former teammates for success, which he did one final time.

The Hoosiers are projected to have a program-record nine players drafted and could see as many as 15 players enter rookie camps with NFL teams. It was a major day for the program as the NFL Network opened a national window into what is being built in Bloomington.