Indiana’s defense has become an absolute menace in 2025. Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines has orchestrated one of the most dominant defensive schemes in college football. But what makes this defense tick even more is the secondary, particularly cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. Coming from South Florida, Ponds has seamlessly integrated into this unit despite dealing with warm climates. S o how exactly has this kid from the tropics managed to thrive in one of the harshest weather environments in college football?

When Shannon Sharpe got wind of Pond’s transition story , he couldn’t help but probe a little deeper during a recent conversation. “Man, I’m trying to figure out, bro,” Sharpe said. “And you say it from the south, man. It gets cold in Indiana, you know. I want, you know. It be col

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