Ponds Collects Trio of National Defensive Weekly Honors
10/29/2024 12:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After earning weekly accolades from the Big Ten on Monday, sophomore defensive back D'Angelo Ponds was named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, Lott IMPACT Trophy National Defensive Player of the Week, and Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week on Tuesday (Oct. 29).
Ponds grabbed a pair of first half interceptions against the Huskies, with his first Hoosier interception going 67 yards the other way for the game's opening touchdown. It was his first career pick-6 – college or high school – and is the longest defensive touchdown scored by an IU player since Jameel Cook Jr. took one for 96 yards against FIU in 2015.
His second interception came in the second quarter and set up Indiana's second scoring drive of the game. The two interceptions versus Washington mark the first multi-interception game by a Hoosier in Big Ten play since Jamar Johnson at Ohio State (2; 2020).
The Miami, Florida, native was also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week as he added five tackles and a half tackle for loss against the Huskies.
He was the highest-graded defensive back in the Power 4 during Week 9 (93.5) per Pro Football Focus. His four-career interception are tied for No. 2 among active FBS true sophomores.
Ponds is the first IU defender to earn the Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week or the Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week, and second to garner a national defensive award. Linebacker Micah McFadden was tabbed as the Walter Camp Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week in 2020.
Ponds grabbed a pair of first half interceptions against the Huskies, with his first Hoosier interception going 67 yards the other way for the game's opening touchdown. It was his first career pick-6 – college or high school – and is the longest defensive touchdown scored by an IU player since Jameel Cook Jr. took one for 96 yards against FIU in 2015.
His second interception came in the second quarter and set up Indiana's second scoring drive of the game. The two interceptions versus Washington mark the first multi-interception game by a Hoosier in Big Ten play since Jamar Johnson at Ohio State (2; 2020).
The Miami, Florida, native was also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week as he added five tackles and a half tackle for loss against the Huskies.
He was the highest-graded defensive back in the Power 4 during Week 9 (93.5) per Pro Football Focus. His four-career interception are tied for No. 2 among active FBS true sophomores.
Ponds is the first IU defender to earn the Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week or the Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week, and second to garner a national defensive award. Linebacker Micah McFadden was tabbed as the Walter Camp Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week in 2020.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballFB: Week 5 (at Iowa) - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Monday, September 22
FB: Fernando Mendoza - Illinois Postgame Press Conference (09/20/25)
Sunday, September 21
FB: D’Angelo Ponds - Illinois Postgame Press Conference (09/20/25)
Sunday, September 21
FB: Week 4 (vs. Illinois) - Curt Cignett Post Game Press Conference
Saturday, September 20