Head coach Curt Cignetti, defensive coordinator Bryant Haynes, and defensive backs coach Rod Ojong identified a need for help in the secondary before spring practice began. The unexpected departure of cornerback Kobee Minor heightened Indiana’s urgency to bolster their defensive backfield. Fortunately, Cignetti and his staff swiftly addressed this need by recruiting additional depth at defensive back.
They turned to James Madison University once again to find a solution. Rising sophomore D’Angelo Ponds has committed to the Hoosiers. Ponds, a three-star recruit from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida, played in all 13 games for the Dukes last season, starting in ten.
In his freshman year, Ponds recorded 51 tackles, 13 pass breakups, two interceptions, two tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries. His standout performance earned him recognition as a Freshman All-American Second Team member and a spot on the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-American team. HERO Sports Group of Five named him a Third Team All-American, and he also received Second Team honors in the Sun Belt Conference.
Following Ponds’ entry into the transfer portal, several schools, including Illinois, Boston College, USC, Auburn, Cincinnati, Duke, Miami, Wake Forest, and Tulane, expressed interest in him in addition to Indiana. He still has three years of eligibility remaining.
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