\n CB: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana<\/p>\n
Arguably no player used the college football playoffs to raise their draft stock more than D’Angelo Ponds.<\/p>\n
Ponds, a Miami, Florida native, was another player that followed Curt Cignetti from James Madison University to Indiana, playing their part to perfection for a national championship. The 2025 First-Team All-American finished his senior campaign with 44 solo tackles, two interceptions and a Big Ten-leading 11 pass deflections. Additionally, his 89.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) was the seventh-highest of all cornerbacks in college football.<\/p>\n
In the CFB playoffs, he recorded 12 solo tackles, three pass deflections and an pick six in a Peach Bowl blowout against Oregon. He was named Defensive Player of the Game for the Rose Bowl and Defensive Most Outstanding Player for the Peach Bowl.<\/p>\n
Any skepticism surrounding Ponds going into the NFL Draft is due to his size, standing at 5-foot-9, 173 pounds. Therefore, showcasing first-class athleticism in live drills at the Combine could go a long way for the talented cornerback.<\/p>\n