Indiana University Athletics
Ponds Tabbed to Thorpe Award Watch List
7/29/2025 1:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The second of 10 days of preseason watch lists sees cornerback D'Angelo Ponds tabbed to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list.
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association released its list of 35 of the nation's best defensive backs. The 15 semifinalists will be selected on October 28 and three finalists announced on November 25, with a winner announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12.
A second-team All-America pick by six outlets in 2024, Ponds was a first-team All-Big Ten pick as a true sophomore. Rated the top cornerback in the Big Ten and No. 9 in Power 4 (84.2) per Pro Football Focus he picked off three passes, broke up nine more passes and ended the season with 55 tackles (35 solo).
Ponds is a member of three preseason All-America teams, topped by a first-teamer per Walter Camp. He is a second-team selection by Athlon Sports and Sports News, while a third-team choice per Phil Steele.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association released its list of 35 of the nation's best defensive backs. The 15 semifinalists will be selected on October 28 and three finalists announced on November 25, with a winner announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12.
A second-team All-America pick by six outlets in 2024, Ponds was a first-team All-Big Ten pick as a true sophomore. Rated the top cornerback in the Big Ten and No. 9 in Power 4 (84.2) per Pro Football Focus he picked off three passes, broke up nine more passes and ended the season with 55 tackles (35 solo).
Ponds is a member of three preseason All-America teams, topped by a first-teamer per Walter Camp. He is a second-team selection by Athlon Sports and Sports News, while a third-team choice per Phil Steele.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.
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