At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, several top NFL Draft analysts from around the industry took the time to sit down with A to Z Sports’ Best Pod Available. One of my favorite interviews was with Dane Brugler from The Athletic, largely considered to be the best in the business when it comes to NFL Draft analysis. 

During that interview, I discussed a series of topics with Brugler, including some prospects he is higher on than consensus, slightly lower on, and early on. When discussing the latter, Brugler mentioned a couple of guys that he gravitated towards early, including Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. 

It also gave a brief mention to Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. While he didn’t perfectly fit the description of being early on him, Brugler mentioned Ponds as a player that he began betting more and more on over time. The former Hoosier star profiled as a bit of a slow burn prospect, and with more data gathered, Ponds became a favorite. 

Brugler also mentioned Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez in that section of the interview. The former Virginia quarterback has taken a fascinating journey to get to this point. He is in the middle of a tremendous draft process and is now in line to go much earlier than many think this April.

Here is what Brugler said about Ponds, and what makes him a player he wouldn’t bet against. At the end, he added his opinion of Rodriguez and everything that he brings to the table, as well.

Brugler on D’Angelo Ponds and Jacob Rodriguez

“D’Angelo Ponds is another one,” Brugler told A to Z Sports. “And that’s one I wouldn’t say that I was early on it. It took me a little bit to get there, just to get past the size. Sure. The size is the size. He’s not going to gain bigger. But the competitor that he is, the way he plays, I just find myself just more and more thinking like this guy, I’ll bet on him every time.

“And then even last night watching Jacob Rodriguez, I like Jacob Rodriguez. But then seeing him up close to the Senior Bowl, seeing him move around, I had a new appreciation for his athleticism. And then yesterday watching him work out here at the combine, new appreciation, even more of an appreciation for his athleticism.

“It’s like, okay, I’m running out of reasons why he shouldn’t be a top guy. I mean, right now he’s like sixty-fourth, maybe in my top 100. So like right there in the second. But the tape, the ball finds him. He’s a good athlete, good kid, all that kind of stuff. I’m running out of reasons why he shouldn’t be a top 50 pick.”

D’Angelo Ponds’ career background 

Ponds was considered to be a consensus three-star player coming out of Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna in the 2023 recruiting class. He ended up rated as the No.1,966 overall player, the No. 170 cornerback, and the No. 280 player from the state of Florida in the 2023 class, according to the 247 Sports Composite ranking. That rating made Ponds one of the better success stories we have seen in a while. 

Due to his outlier size and doubts about how well his game would translate, Ponds began his career by signing with James Madison. Cignetti and the Dukes won out over an offer list that included Syracuse, Tulane, Old Dominion, Liberty, Arkansas State, FAU, FIU, Akron, Louisiana-Monroe, South Dakota, and Bryant. 

After making an immediate impact with James Madison as a freshman in 2023, Ponds followed Cignetti to Bloomington. Over his two seasons with the Hoosiers, Ponds became one of the top overall players in the Big Ten, as well as an All-American in 2025. During his three-year career, Ponds was selected as an all-conference performer three times. Ponds ended his college career with 169 total tackles, seven interceptions, 33 pass breakups, and 10.5 tackles for loss. 

Jacob Rodriguez’s career background

Rodriguez was originally a member of the 2021 recruiting class coming out of Wichita Falls (Texas) Rider. He was considered to be a three-star, the No. 412 overall player, the No. 26 athlete, and the No. 58 player from the state of Texas on the 247 Sports Composite ranking. The Texas native originally signed with Virginia as a quarterback, choosing the Cavaliers over offers from Indiana, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Iowa State, Houston, and Baylor, among several others.

After spending his freshman season with Virginia, Rodriguez has spent the last four seasons with the Red Raiders as a linebacker. During that time, he has managed to collect 317 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Rodriguez has also hauled in six interceptions, forced 13 fumbles, and broken up 12 passes. Versatility is the name of his game.

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