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CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Indiana Hoosiers have shocked the college football world, building one of the nation’s top programs seemingly out of nowhere. But what’s behind this remarkable transformation? According to Hoosiers cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, who appeared on the latest episode of Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, the answer is simple: Indiana is winning the southern recruiting battle. “Most of the time you look at the Nick Saban years, you look at Kirby Smart and and some of those coaches that have always had those great teams,” Ochocinco explained. “Where are most of the kids from that are on Indiana’s team?” Ponds’ answer was immediate and telling. “They from the south,” Ponds replied. “They from the south. Somewhere down south.” This revelation sparked a deeper conversation about how Indiana, a northern school with historically limited football success, manages to convince elite southern talent to leave the warm weather behind. For Sharpe, a native of southern Georgia, and Ochocinco, a south Florida native, the question was especially pertinent. “How do they get some of the players that are coming from down south to actually go to Indiana when they have when we have so many other options to choose from when it comes to going to playing college football?” Ochocinco asked. Ponds’ response revealed the simple but powerful recruiting pitch that’s transformed the program. “See, we winning,” Ponds said bluntly. “So I think we got the upper hand with recruiting. Like okay, everybody want to win. ... it’s not that hard to tell them like, ‘Yeah, we going to win.’ So you just come come join like you going to play.” Success breeds success, and the Hoosiers have flipped the script on traditional recruiting powers by offering something every player wants — a chance to be part of a winning program where they’ll see immediate playing time. But there are practical challenges to this approach. Sharpe, well aware of the climate differences, asked how southern players adjust to Indiana’s notorious Midwest winters. “I ain’t going to lie. When I first got to college I had to adjust. It took some adjusting to do, but it’s little tricks,” Ponds explained. “I figured out like some Vaseline and stuff like that that’ll get me right. But I just got used to it just by going out there and putting Vaseline on. I don’t feel nothing when I put Vaseline on. So, I think that’s one of the tricks I learned.” These small adjustments have helped Indiana build one of college football’s most impressive defenses, currently ranked third in the nation, allowing just 10.9 points per game. The implications extend beyond just this season. As Ochocinco pointed out, these players are building a legacy that could transform Indiana football permanently. “You’ll always have a place when you go back,” Ochocinco explained. “Oh, yeah. That I remember him, man. He was part of that coach Cignetti class that came in here and kicked that thing off.” With three games left in their regular season, the Hoosiers remain undefeated and in contention for both a Big Ten championship and a College Football Playoff berth. If they continue their winning ways, they’ll cement their place in Indiana lore, and likely attract even more southern speed to Bloomington in the process. The formula is working: recruit elite southern athletes, teach them how to handle the cold and build a winning culture that makes everyone want to be part of the revolution.
