‘He’s a big get’: Curt Cignetti understands the impact D’Angelo Ponds can make for Indiana football

D’Angelo Ponds could’ve gone anywhere when he entered the transfer portal this spring. He quickly received interest from nearly two dozen programs — including the Indiana football program. He made quick work of his recruitment and ultimately decided to reunite with his former coach, Curt Cignetti.

Ponds was a Freshman All-American in 2023 after totaling 52 tackles, 12 pass deflections, two interceptions and a fumble recovery, so it was evident why he was such a coveted late addition to the portal.

That’s also why Curt Cignetti didn’t mince words when asked about his addition to Indiana.

“He’s a big get,” Cignetti said last week at a fundraising event at Huber’s Winery.

His impact for James Madison was evident and Cignetti was able to see that first hand.

The Dukes gave up 377 yards against Virginia in week two, then 333 yards against Troy in week three and 402 in week four to Utah State. Ponds didn’t start to begin the season and played sparingly throughout the first few weeks but made a massive impact when he saw extended snaps against Utah State — a turning point in his freshman season.

“He had special qualities when he came in as a freshman in fall camp. There were some things in his game he had to clean up in terms of technique,” Cignetti said. “We were struggling against the pass early in the season so we stuck him in as a stater about game three or four and then put him in the boundary (corner).”

He had four tackles, two pass deflections and an interception against Utah State. That jumpstarted his All-American season as he started the remainder of the year.

“It was really a shot in the arm for our entire defense,” Cignetti said of Ponds. “He was a freshman All-American. Great competitor, super intelligent, can really move and play the ball in the air.”

James Madison would go on to hold the following nine starting quarterbacks to below 300 yards passing the remainder of the season.

Ponds was in the middle of the action in every single game — having four or more tackles in nine games and finishing third in the league in pass breakups.

“For a young guy, he’s a leader,” new James Madison head coach Bob Chesney said this spring. “His skillset [is] very, you know, very high. He can do a lot of things, including tackle and get off blocks. You know, his coverage skills are undeniable.”

As Cignetti mentioned, his addition to the Indiana football program this spring was significant as IU lost its best cornerback to the portal in Kobee Minor. Nic Toomer, an experienced cornerback, moved over to safety this offseason as well, leaving a gaping hole in the secondary.

While the opening is there for Ponds to come in and make an impact from day one, Cignetti is making sure it’s known that regardless of his past and his relationship with Ponds, everything needs to be earned when he puts on that Indiana football jersey.

“He’s going to have to earn it here, nothing is given. Everything is earned not given. That’s the way it’s got to be,” Cignetti added. “There’s got to be competition, that makes everybody better, but I was thrilled we were able to get him.”

SEE ALSO: With momentum gaining on the recruiting trail, Curt Cignetti flipping narrative around Indiana football — ‘Why shouldn’t we be in that position’

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.