Three Hoosiers named in Pro Football Focus' 50 best college football players in 2025

Preseason recognitions keep stacking up for some of Indiana‘s players, as three more were named in Pro Football Focus (PFF)’s “College 50.”

This list, as the name would suggest, mentions the 50 players that PFF believes will be the most productive in the 2025 season. Included are both offensive and defensive players, meaning that only the best of the best are included on the list.

Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, defensive lineman Mikail Kamara and wide receiver Elijah Sarratt all made the cut, adding to all three’s preseason accolades ahead of each of their second seasons with the Hoosiers.

D’Angelo Ponds

Ponds was mentioned first at spot No. 24, but he was the third corner on the list, positioning him as one of the truly elite players at his position. Ponds also ranks as the fifth-best player in the Big Ten according to PFF, with only Ohio State‘s Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs, as well as Minnesota‘s Koi Perich and Penn State‘s Drew Allar ranking above the Indiana CB.

PFF used an interesting way to describe Ponds, as they wrote, “The first guy off the bus is a phrase used to describe a team’s physically most imposing player. In that sense, Ponds would likely be the last off the bus for the Hoosiers at just 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds. That hasn’t kept him from performing like one of the nation’s best cornerbacks in each of his first two seasons, though.”

They also added, “Ponds showed his true freshman season at James Madison was no fluke, establishing himself as one of the 15 most valuable cornerbacks in the nation once again at Indiana. His 91.8 PFF overall grade over the past two years is the highest among all returning FBS cornerbacks. There is no fear in Ponds’ game, both in coverage and in run defense.”

This is certainly high praise, and it’s well deserved, as Ponds has established himself as not only an elite cornerback, but one of the most valuable players in the entire country. Indiana is lucky to have him for another season before he will make his decision to potentially enter the NFL Draft as a projected first-round pick.

Mikail Kamara

Mikail Kamara comes in as the second Hoosier to be named on PFF’s list, as the defensive lineman turned STUD was ranked as the No. 36 player in all of college football. Kamara slots in as the eighth-ranked edge rusher, while no Big Ten EDGE ranks above Indiana’s veteran rusher.

Kamara put up some serious numbers a year ago for IU, which was certainly a primary reason for his selection on the list, but his presence just being on the field adds tremendous value to the Indiana defensive unit.

“Kamara was one of many former James Madison Dukes to follow head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana. After leveling up in competition by going from the Sun Belt to the Big Ten, the fifth-year senior also upped his game,” PFF wrote. “He led all FBS edge defenders with 67 pressures in 2024, and his 28 combined sacks and hits were the third most in the nation.”

Kamara has been doubted his entire career, but that seems to be in the past, as according to PFF, he’ll be the best edge rusher in the Big Ten and one of the top defensive players in the entire country.

Elijah Sarratt

Just two spots below Kamara is Elijah Sarratt, as the talented wide receiver cements his place as one of the best projected offensive players in the nation.

Sarratt is ranked as the fourth-best wide receiver and the second-best in the Big Ten, only behind Jeremiah Smith. If he can live up to these expectations, he’ll be looked at for next year’s NFL Draft, but more importantly for Indiana, he’ll be a true difference maker on offense.

“Sarratt was one of 13 former James Madison Dukes to follow head coach Curt Cignetti to Bloomington and was still incredibly productive despite the jump in competition level,” PFF mentioned. “Only Jeremiah Smith and Jordyn Tyson recorded more receiving yards than him (957) in 2024 among returning Power Four wideouts, and his 16 contested catches tied for the seventh most among Power Four receivers.”

PFF also added that “Sarratt’s 90.3 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons leads all returning FBS receivers, as do his 2,156 receiving yards. The latter is nearly 400 more than any other returning wideout.”

Sarratt is about as proven as they come and should be one of, if not the best, wide receiver in the Big Ten. Indiana has a ton of talent all over the field, but if things go Sarratt’s way, he could be the most impactful player on IU’s roster in 2025.

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