Quoted: Fall Camp Edition - Pat Coogan, Aiden Fisher & D'Angelo Ponds
7/31/2025 1:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––– After day two of fall camp, seniors Pat Coogan and Aiden Fisher and junior D'Angelo Ponds addressed the media inside Memorial Stadium on Thursday (July 31).
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Pat Coogan | R-Sr. | OL
On the offensive line acclimating to new personnel after spring practice…
PC: It is a credit to them [Kahlil Benson and Drew Evans] and their hard work to get back on the field. During the spring they were there mentally and physically watching everything - obviously they couldn't do much skill wise and football wise. It is a total credit to them, the hard work that they put in. We are super excited to have them back and they have been great additions to on field performance, as well. Just, playing next to Drew is great. Super strong guy and he knows his stuff really well. Excited to keep growing that relationship with those interior guys.
On his impressions of Carter Smith…
PC: I think it starts with his build, he's got a great left tackle build and he is super athletic. He uses his length really well. He is just a really smart football player. He knows the game really well, knows the ins and outs of it. Obviously, he has played a ton of ball here. That is something you learn through experience, and he has a ton of it. Super excited for him and know he is going to have a great year. He is really that anchor on the left side at that left tackle spot. He is a great player.
On Fernando Mendoza's acumen …
PC: You can tell right off the bat that he is a super smart kid and obviously at quarterback that is what you need. I have never watched him take a math test or anything, but you can just tell from talking to him and being around him all the time he is a super intelligent guy.
Aiden Fisher | Sr. | LB
On feeling ahead this fall camp compared to last year with the continuity of the roster and staff…
AF: A lot further ahead. Just the guys and the verbiage, when you bring in transfers or freshmen it's the little things that can get tweaked. So, having them now, they've had the spring, now that we've gotten the freshmen just a couple in the summer, been with us for meetings and stuff like that so it's been kind of seamless so far. Just comes down to those little things again and those little nuances on defense they've got to learn, but we are way further ahead than we have been in the past.
On how he has seen D'Angelo Ponds evolve as a leader over the years…
AF: When he first got to JMU, he wouldn't say a word. He was quiet, just put his head down and work, but now he's trying to be more vocal. He's always been a lead by example type of guy. I mess with him I tell him that doesn't even exist, he's got to use his voice a little bit. Now you see him kind of bringing guys along, just pushing them to be better and I think it's going to make him better in the long run, but he's been phenomenal so far.
On the younger guys looking up to him…
AF: It honestly makes me a better player for it. Being able to show the young guys the way and kind of how I got to where I am and I'm striving for more. It makes me feel more accountable where I have to be doing these things, not only for myself, but for the people around me to make sure this program is heading in the right direction and ultimately that's to win a lot of football games.
D'Angelo Ponds | Jr. | DB
On his impressions of Byron Baldwin and what advice he would give to him…
DP: My first impression of Byron Baldwin is he brings a lot of energy. He's a young guy, he's wanting to learn. He reminds me of myself kind of, he asks questions about everything, and he wants to learn. I see he's got a lot of potential in himself. I definitely see a little bit of myself in him.
On becoming a leader this year…
DP: It's different for me, just being more vocal in my room and on the team. It's a little different for me, but I'm adapting to it, it's definitely been a challenge, but I'm getting better at it.
On how Jamari Sharpe has progressed…
DP: He's been evolving tremendously. He's gotten way better since I met him. Jamari has been great for us, I think he's going to have a big season this year.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Pat Coogan | R-Sr. | OL
On the offensive line acclimating to new personnel after spring practice…
PC: It is a credit to them [Kahlil Benson and Drew Evans] and their hard work to get back on the field. During the spring they were there mentally and physically watching everything - obviously they couldn't do much skill wise and football wise. It is a total credit to them, the hard work that they put in. We are super excited to have them back and they have been great additions to on field performance, as well. Just, playing next to Drew is great. Super strong guy and he knows his stuff really well. Excited to keep growing that relationship with those interior guys.
On his impressions of Carter Smith…
PC: I think it starts with his build, he's got a great left tackle build and he is super athletic. He uses his length really well. He is just a really smart football player. He knows the game really well, knows the ins and outs of it. Obviously, he has played a ton of ball here. That is something you learn through experience, and he has a ton of it. Super excited for him and know he is going to have a great year. He is really that anchor on the left side at that left tackle spot. He is a great player.
On Fernando Mendoza's acumen …
PC: You can tell right off the bat that he is a super smart kid and obviously at quarterback that is what you need. I have never watched him take a math test or anything, but you can just tell from talking to him and being around him all the time he is a super intelligent guy.
Aiden Fisher | Sr. | LB
On feeling ahead this fall camp compared to last year with the continuity of the roster and staff…
AF: A lot further ahead. Just the guys and the verbiage, when you bring in transfers or freshmen it's the little things that can get tweaked. So, having them now, they've had the spring, now that we've gotten the freshmen just a couple in the summer, been with us for meetings and stuff like that so it's been kind of seamless so far. Just comes down to those little things again and those little nuances on defense they've got to learn, but we are way further ahead than we have been in the past.
On how he has seen D'Angelo Ponds evolve as a leader over the years…
AF: When he first got to JMU, he wouldn't say a word. He was quiet, just put his head down and work, but now he's trying to be more vocal. He's always been a lead by example type of guy. I mess with him I tell him that doesn't even exist, he's got to use his voice a little bit. Now you see him kind of bringing guys along, just pushing them to be better and I think it's going to make him better in the long run, but he's been phenomenal so far.
On the younger guys looking up to him…
AF: It honestly makes me a better player for it. Being able to show the young guys the way and kind of how I got to where I am and I'm striving for more. It makes me feel more accountable where I have to be doing these things, not only for myself, but for the people around me to make sure this program is heading in the right direction and ultimately that's to win a lot of football games.
D'Angelo Ponds | Jr. | DB
On his impressions of Byron Baldwin and what advice he would give to him…
DP: My first impression of Byron Baldwin is he brings a lot of energy. He's a young guy, he's wanting to learn. He reminds me of myself kind of, he asks questions about everything, and he wants to learn. I see he's got a lot of potential in himself. I definitely see a little bit of myself in him.
On becoming a leader this year…
DP: It's different for me, just being more vocal in my room and on the team. It's a little different for me, but I'm adapting to it, it's definitely been a challenge, but I'm getting better at it.
On how Jamari Sharpe has progressed…
DP: He's been evolving tremendously. He's gotten way better since I met him. Jamari has been great for us, I think he's going to have a big season this year.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
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