Indiana Football acquires All-American transfer cornerback D'Angelo Ponds

Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti hinted at possible additions to the secondary after the spring, and the Hoosiers reeled in a big fish on Saturday.

Former James Madison University cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, whom On3 named a Freshman All-American last year, announced his commitment to the Hoosiers about Xformerly known as Twitter.

The 5-foot-9-inch, 165-pound Ponds recorded 51 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and 15 passes defensed in 13 appearances last season.

He was targeted 66 times but only allowed 30 receptions for 259 yards and three touchdowns Professional football focus. Of his 715 snaps, 628 came at outside corner, shedding light on his potential role in the fall.

In Bloomington, Ponds will reunite with Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, who recruited him to James Madison and coached him in 2023.

Ponds, a native of West Park, Florida, was selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference second team and earned Freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America and the College Football Network.

The back end of Indiana's defense needed reinforcements after that He lost starting cornerback Kobee Minor to the April 29 transfer portal, and Ponds, who had a stellar freshman season with the Dukes, is considered a quality addition for the next three years in Bloomington.

Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) for updates during the Indiana football offseason.