Fewer than 65 days remain until Indiana football kicks off the 2025–2026 season at home against Old Dominion on August 31.
Indiana’s secondary received national recognition, landing at No. 7 in Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) ranking of the top 10 secondaries heading into the 2025 season. The unit is anchored by All-American cornerback D’Angelo Ponds and standout safety Amare Ferrell.
Ponds, named the No. 3 cornerback in the country by PFF’s Max Chadwick, leads the group. His 91.8 PFF grade over the past two seasons is the highest among all returning FBS cornerbacks. Ferrell, a returning starter at safety, recorded four interceptions in 2024—tied for sixth among all Power Four safeties.
With less than 65 days until Indiana football kicks off the 2025–2026 season at home against Old Dominion on August 31, the Hoosiers are already turning heads—particularly in the secondary.
Pro Football Focus ranked Indiana’s defensive backfield No. 7 in its top-10 secondaries for the upcoming season, placing the Hoosiers among elite company like Texas, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Leading the unit is All-American cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, named the No. 3 cornerback in college football by PFF’s Max Chadwick. Ponds owns a 91.8 PFF grade over the last two seasons—the highest among all returning FBS cornerbacks.
Safety Amare Ferrell, who tied for sixth among Power Four safeties with four interceptions in 2024, also returns to anchor the back end. Together, Ponds and Ferrell provide Indiana with a high-level core to build around, despite a number of new faces.
According to Chadwick, Indiana will likely start a pair of transfers in the secondary: slot corner Devan Boykin (NC State) and safety Louis Moore (Ole Miss). Boykin missed all of 2024 with a torn ACL but posted a stellar 90.5 run-defense grade in 2023—fourth among all FBS safeties. Moore is already familiar with Bloomington, having started for the Hoosiers in 2023 and earning a 73.3 PFF grade that season.
Beyond the projected starters, depth will be critical to Indiana’s success. All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Shaun Asbury II, redshirt junior Jamari Sharpe, and transfers Ryland Gandy and Amariyun Knighten bolster the cornerback room. At safety, backups could include redshirt senior Bryson Bonds, redshirt freshman Jah Jah Boyd, and freshmen Byron Baldwin and Seaonta Stewart.
With a strong mix of veteran talent and intriguing newcomers, Indiana’s secondary looks poised to be one of the best in the nation this fall.
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