Sports
Kairi Sane, Wyatt Sicks, Aleister Black among flood of WWE roster cuts after WrestleMania 42
WWE cuts over 15 wrestlers, including Kairi Sane and Aleister Black, post-WrestleMania 42.
Yahoo Sports1 min read
Sports
D'Angelo Ponds was Indiana football defense's 'secret' per analyst
TL;DR
D'Angelo Ponds, an Indiana football cornerback, was praised by Nick Saban after being drafted by the New York Jets in the second round. Despite his shorter stature, Saban advised fans not to underestimate his abilities.
Key points
- D'Angelo Ponds was drafted by the New York Jets.
- Nick Saban praised Ponds during the draft broadcast.
- Ponds is considered a talented cornerback despite his height.
Mentioned in this story
Alabama
New York JetsIndiana football
D'Angelo Ponds was Indiana football defense's 'secret' per analyst
BLOOMINGTON — Former Alabama coach Nick Saban had high praise for Indiana football cornerback D'Angelo Ponds on Friday night after the New York Jets drafted him in the second round.
Ponds' 5-foot-9 frame prevented him from being a first-round pick, but Saban cautioned any Jets fans questioning the All-American defender.
"Don't bet against him," Saban said as one of the analysts on ESPN's draft broadcast.
More: Indiana football QB Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to Las Vegas
Ponds won Defensive MVP honors in both the Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl with his blocked punt in the latter game being one of the highlights of IU's postseason run. In 2025, he had 67 tackles (43 solo) and led IU with 11 pass breakups as one of the country's highest-graded corners (89.9), according to Pro Football Focus.
Coming out of Chaminade-Madonna High School, the Miami native ended up helping take down a Hurricanes team in the national title game that didn't offer him a scholarship.
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt offered up similar praise of Ponds on the NFL Network broadcast of the draft. Klatt called multiple IU games in 2024 and 2025, including the Big Ten title game.
"I love this," Klatt said of the Jets' pick. "He's one of my favorite players that I got to cover last year. I'll just say, Indiana was one of the best defenses in college football. Bryant Haines, their defensive coordinator was excellent, well his secret was D'Angelo Ponds.
Q&A
Why did Nick Saban praise D'Angelo Ponds during the NFL draft?
Nick Saban praised D'Angelo Ponds for his skills and potential, advising Jets fans not to underestimate him despite his 5-foot-9 frame.
What round was D'Angelo Ponds drafted in the NFL draft?
D'Angelo Ponds was drafted in the second round of the NFL draft by the New York Jets.
What position does D'Angelo Ponds play in football?
D'Angelo Ponds plays as a cornerback for the Indiana football team.