Indiana still hasn’t settled the cornerback spot across from Jamari Sharpe, and with fall camp winding down, that battle looks headed for the finish line.
Sharpe has already locked down one side of the secondary. The Miami native started all 16 games last season, finished with six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and the interception that sealed Indiana’s national championship win over Miami. Now entering his fifth season in Bloomington, he’s the steady piece in a defensive backfield that has taken a major hit.
The bigger issue is the other corner. Indiana has to replace D’Angelo Ponds, who put together a huge season with 61 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and 11 passes broken up before leaving for the NFL draft.
The New York Jets took him No. 50 overall in the second round in April. Ponds had started 28 games over his two seasons at Indiana, and his departure was only part of the turnover.
Safeties Louis Moore and Devan Boykin also ran out of eligibility, leaving the Hoosiers to fill three starting spots in a secondary that allowed just 188.8 passing yards per game last season.
That search has come down to AJ Harris and Ryland Gandy.
Harris arrived from Penn State as a high-end transfer and a former five-star prospect who began his career at Georgia. He became a starter for the Nittany Lions and played a role in their run to the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2024.
That season, he posted 48 tackles, four tackles for loss, an interception and five passes defended. Last year, he added 33 tackles in 11 games before making the move to Indiana, giving the Hoosiers a veteran option with plenty of Power Four experience.
Gandy brings a different path but a similar résumé. He transferred in from Pittsburgh after starting all 13 games for the Panthers in 2024 and recording 40 tackles.
His first year in Bloomington was quieter because Indiana already had Ponds and Sharpe in place, but he still played in all 16 games and finished with 12 tackles. His best chance came when Ponds was out against Iowa, and Gandy made his first start for Indiana, finishing with four solo tackles and a tackle for loss.
On Monday, Cignetti made it clear the job is still up for grabs.
“I think Sharpe has been our number one guy,” Cignetti said. “AJ missed a couple practices, he tweaked his knee.
But expect him back soon, he’s working his way back right now. So, I would say the next seven practices will probably determine who starts at the other cornerback position.
They both have had their moments.”
Harris’ knee issue has slowed his push, but Cignetti said he should be back soon. Gandy has continued to get work as Indiana pushes through the final stretch of camp.
The competition is one of the few remaining starting battles Cignetti has pointed to as the Hoosiers move closer to the opener. Indiana will hold a walkthrough scrimmage Tuesday, then begin shifting away from the heavier install portion of camp and toward special situations and the season opener.
However it plays out, Indiana is asking one of those two corners to step into a spot that has been a strength over the last two seasons.
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