Indiana’s Stars Stay Focused on Rose Bowl Amid NFL Draft Buzz
As Indiana gears up for its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, the No. 1-ranked Hoosiers (13-0) find themselves in a unique position - not only chasing a national title, but also fielding a roster loaded with NFL-caliber talent. And while the draft talk is heating up, the message inside the locker room is clear: eyes on the Rose Bowl.
Leading that charge is quarterback Fernando Mendoza, fresh off a Heisman-winning season and widely projected to be one of the top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft - if he chooses to declare early. Mendoza has kept his focus squarely on the task at hand, sidestepping draft questions in the lead-up to the Rose Bowl and emphasizing team goals over personal milestones. It’s a mindset that’s resonating throughout the program.
But Mendoza isn’t the only Hoosier with a decision to make after the season.
Carter Smith: Protecting the Blind Side and Raising His Draft Stock
Left tackle Carter Smith has been an anchor for Indiana’s offensive line all season, and the accolades reflect that. Named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, Smith has quietly built a strong case for the next level. According to the College Advisory Committee, he’s received a third-round draft grade - a solid starting point with room to rise.
And Smith knows it.
“Going into the playoffs, got three more opportunities to raise that bar,” he said.
The numbers back him up. Smith posted an 87.9 overall grade - sixth among offensive tackles nationally - and a 92.5 pass-blocking grade, second-best in the country at his position per Pro Football Focus. Most impressively, he didn’t allow a single sack all season and gave up just six pressures.
Still, Smith isn’t rushing into a decision. He plans to sit down with his family - including his brother Landon, a former walk-on at Ohio State - after the season to weigh his options.
"I'm locked into the three games,” Smith said. “Whenever our last game is - hopefully after the national championship - I'll have a couple days to sit down and think about it. That's where my head is at right now."
D’Angelo Ponds: Undersized, Underrated, and Unshaken
Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds has been proving people wrong his entire career. Listed at just 5-foot-9 and 173 pounds, he’s heard the size critiques for years. But that hasn’t stopped him from earning All-American honors every season he’s been on the field - or from climbing up draft boards.
According to Ponds, he's been getting “a lot of top 100 grades” from trusted sources, and he’s aiming even higher.
"Honestly, in my opinion, I want to be in the first two rounds,” he said. “That's me personally."
Ponds isn’t rushing into anything either. He’s staying grounded, trusting that his play on the field will speak for itself.
"I don't know if it's going to be hard,” he said when asked about making a decision. “I feel like I'll know after the season. Everything will work itself out if we perform on the field - that's kind of my mindset."
Amare Ferrell: Locked In on the Moment
Safety Amare Ferrell may not be as high-profile as some of his teammates, but his consistency and growth have made him a key piece of Indiana’s defense. A starter in every game over the past two seasons, Ferrell has tallied eight interceptions and emerged as one of the most reliable players in the secondary.
Unlike some of his teammates, Ferrell hasn’t sought out any draft feedback yet. He didn’t submit for a grade from the College Advisory Committee, and that’s by design.
"For me personally, that's how I definitely look at things,” Ferrell said. “I just want to make sure I'm locked in on one thing instead of multiple things."
Ferrell was the only member of Indiana’s 2023 recruiting class under former coach Tom Allen who didn’t redshirt - a testament to how quickly he earned the staff’s trust.
A Turning Point for Indiana Football
After years of building, Indiana is finally seeing its talent recognized on a national stage. The Hoosiers had multiple players drafted in 2025 - CJ West and Kurtis Rourke - for the first time since 2018. But the program hasn’t had a first-round pick in over three decades, not since wide receiver Thomas Lewis was taken by the New York Giants in 1994.
That drought may be nearing its end.
With Mendoza, Smith, Ponds, and Ferrell all drawing serious NFL attention, Indiana’s rise isn’t just about this season’s playoff run - it’s about a program turning the corner, producing pros, and reshaping its football identity.
For now, though, the Hoosiers are keeping their eyes on Pasadena. The draft can wait. The Rose Bowl - and maybe more - is up next.