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The New York Jets selected cornerback DāAngelo Ponds from Indiana with the 50th overall pick in the NFL Draft, reuniting him with teammate Omar Cooper Jr.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 9: D'Angelo Ponds #5 celebrates with Aiden Fisher #4 and Devan Boykin #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the CFP Semifinal Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 9, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Indiana football saw its third player taken in the NFL Draft on Friday when the New York Jets selected cornerback DāAngelo Ponds with the 50th overall pick in the second round, reuniting him with wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
Hereās what to know about the newest Jet:
Ponds is one of the more intriguing names in the NFL Draft because the height question has followed him since he was in high school, keeping him from receiving the type of recruiting interest his play warranted. Some will see his size and say āslot cornerā but Ponds played, and excelled at, playing outside at Indiana.
What Ponds has in athleticism and football IQ makes up for what he doesnāt in height. He also isnāt afraid to play physical football, being a more than willing tackler when faced with a scrambling quarterback or a running back, forcing a fumble on Alabamaās Ty Simpson in the Rose Bowl that stifled the Crimson Tideās offensive momentum.
Indianaās defense was reliant on Ponds to the point that the lone game he missed, at Iowa, ended up being arguably the closest call of the Hoosiersā season. Haines trusted Ponds to lock down half the field at corner and he held up more often than not.
DāAngelo Ponds was a standout cornerback for Indiana, known for his interception returns, including a touchdown against Oregon in the CFP Semifinal.
DāAngelo Ponds adds depth to the Jets' secondary and reunites with former teammate Omar Cooper Jr., enhancing team chemistry.
DāAngelo Ponds was selected 50th overall in the second round of the NFL Draft, marking him as the third player from Indiana to be drafted this year.
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