The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the D’Angelo Ponds NFL Draft Profile.
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Position: Cornerback
School: Indiana
Size: 5-foot-9, 182 Pounds
Class: Junior
2025 stats: 61 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 11 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 touchdown
Ponds was a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 who signed with James Madison out of Florida. He played as a freshman, registering 51 total tackles, two interceptions and 13 passes defended. He helped the team win 11 games. Ponds followed head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana in 2024. He tallied 57 total tackles, three interceptions and nine passes defended. His play aided Indiana in making the CFP. In 2025, Ponds racked up 61 total tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defended. He led the team to a national championship in 2025.
Following the national championship, Ponds declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a day two pick.
Ponds is a good athlete for the cornerback position. He has good acceleration at the start of plays and can build up to solid top speed. This speed helps him keep up with receivers vertically. Ponds has good agility as well. He is undersized, but he can jump pretty high, which can help him combat bigger receivers.
He has plenty of versatility for an NFL team. Ponds showed he can play outside corner at the college level. He may move into the slot at the next level, which may be a better option for him, but he can be successful in both places. On top of the versatility in where he lines up, Ponds has shown to play solid zone and man-to-man coverage during his college days. He can mirror receivers in man-to-man well and in zone, he shows good use of his eyes.
His ball skills are also worth noting. While his size limits some of the ball production, he still posted great numbers. Ponds uses his eyes well and gets a good break on the ball, while tracking it well through the air. He is able to come up with deflections and interceptions in abundance if quarterbacks test him.
Ponds will be one of the smaller players in the draft class. He measured in at five-foot-nine and 182 pounds at the NFL Combine. With his height, he also had arms that measured in at under 30 inches. He plays hard and battles against bigger receivers, but sometimes they can be too much for him. He can add some play strength to his frame, but probably doesn’t have too much more space on his frame.
He plays an aggressive style of football that usually produces results, but can also be harmful at times. Ponds can fall for misdirection and play action, leading to some busts. He also can be overly physical with his hands, which could get him called for pass interference at the next level. Ponds will have to find the fine line of being aggressive, but not overly so.
While he makes a good effort against the run, his size limits him. Ponds has trouble shedding blocks or getti
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Draft Grade: Second Round Pick
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