After ‘no-brainer’ decision to join IU football, D’Angelo Ponds earning early praise from Curt Cignetti

Having a specific mindset to go along with a specific skillset and talent makes for a deadly combination. That’s exactly what Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds has and injected into the IU football program this spring when he made his transfer commitment official.

Ponds, who spent last season with Curt Cignetti at James Madison, was one of the most talented players at his position — across the board. 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.

Ponds had options from every major program across the country this spring when he entered the transfer portal. That included the likes of Miami (Fla.), Auburn, Tennessee, Arizona, USC and a handful of others. But, it was a ‘no-brainer’ to come to Bloomington.

Cignetti didn’t mince words this summer when discussing the pickup.

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

Despite not starting for James Madison to begin his freshman season, he quickly emerged as a lockdown defender and true game-changer for the Dukes. They 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 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.

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.

That type of skillset has translated immediately to an IU football team that desperately needed help in the secondary.

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And it has shown in practice.

“I don’t know if we’ve beat him yet on a pass route,” Cignetti told reporters on Monday. “He’s just swallowed up that side of the field. He’s a good guy to everybody else to watch in terms of how to do it.”

That’s high praise from a head coach that also has one of the deepest and talented wide receiving groups in the conference. From Donaven McCulley to Elijah Sarratt. To Myles Price, Miles Cross and Ke’Shawn Williams. To Omar Cooper or Andison Coby. Each player brings a different skillset to the field and it’s a challenge every time Ponds steps on the field. But, it’s only helping him get better.

“I feel like we’ve got one of the better receiver rooms in the conference,” Ponds said on Tuesday. “We just get each other better every day. Going against those guys gets me better so when the game comes, it’s easy.”

At 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Ponds isn’t a big body. So he emphasizes technique, technique, technique when it comes to his play on the field.

It’s part of his game that he’s turned into his craft — and that sentiment has been echoed by his coaches and former teammates.

The comes into play even more under IU football defensive backs coach Rod Ojong, who stresses the ability his defensive backs have to have to play one-on-one in coverage.

“The way the scheme is set up, the corners are really on an island. So that’s why it’s big on technique,” Ponds said. “If you don’t trust your technique on an island and you’re by yourself, you’re literally by yourself. So you gotta trust your technique.

“You definitely have to have a nose for the ball. Me being undersized, I gotta do everything to separate myself and running to the ball is one. That’s one thing I harp on — running to the ball, getting to the ball, making plays.”

How does Ponds work on that? It’s simple but not easy.

“My mindset is to just come in and take it one day at a time,” Ponds said. “Get one percent better. Just be the best version of myself and just find a way to get better because that’s what separates me.”

Ponds early impression is no surprise. While Curt Cignetti knew he would play a major role for this team this season, he also wasn’t going to just hand him a starting spot on a silver platter. He made that evident with his ‘earned but not given’ mantra when he brought over so many former James Madison players this offseason.

So, what does Ponds think of his play early on this fall? Well, he isn’t lacking any confidence when asked about any wideouts that were potentially beating him in practice.

“Nobody specifically,” Ponds said smiling. “Nah, nobody specifically.”

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