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The outcome of Monday’s College Football Playoff national championship game marked a historic night for the sport, but no one expected the Indiana Hoosiers to make it happen.
The Hoosiers became the first 16-0 college football team ever when Curt Cignetti’s crew defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 27-21, at Hard Rock Stadium. When Jamari Sharpe read Carson Beck’s deep pass with 44 seconds left on the clock and took it off, the knee to the ground cemented one of the great stories in college sports.
But despite how great this season has been for the Hoosiers, some question whether this is sustainable. Can Indiana continue its dominance like it did in 2025, secure the No. 1 overall seed in the CFP and win a national title?
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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts with the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
One of its players has no doubts.
“I was just talking to one of the guys and I just said, ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Indiana comes back next year,'” Hoosiers cornerback D’Angelo Ponds told Pakinomist Digital before his celebratory “change” with Sharpe and receiver Elijah Sarrat at Raising Cane’s in Bloomington on Thursday.
Ponds told reporters his plan is to enter the 2026 NFL Draft and finish his college career on the highest note possible as a national champion, but the main reason behind his thoughts on a potential college dynasty comes down to his faith in his head coach.
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Ponds was with Cignetti during his freshman year at James Madison University, and when “Coach Cig” transferred to the Hoosiers’ program, the 5-foot-9, 173-pound cornerback went to Bloomington with him.
Cignetti went viral during his introductory press conference in Indiana for his response after a reporter said what his pitch would be to recruit players for a program that had gone a combined 9-27 over the last three seasons before his arrival.
Cignetti, coming off a 19-4 career at JMU, including an 11-1 campaign in 2023, was blunt with his response.
“It’s pretty simple. I win. Google me,” he said.
Elijah Sarratt, Jamari Sharpe and D’Angelo Ponds are seen as College Football National Champions. (Jeff Schear/Getty Images)
The proof is in the hardware now.
“I felt like nobody expected us to do this, especially us coming from JMU,” Ponds added. “But I trusted Coach Cig and his process and knew we were going to be successful. When he just believed in himself and the guys he brought with him, we brought the standard to Indiana and made history.”
Sharpe was already at Indiana when Cignetti took over, and he quickly learned what his new coach was all about. After a 3-9 season in 2023, Cignetti led the Hoosiers to the CFP with an 11-2 record, followed by a perfect season this year.
“This year has taught me a lot — brotherhood,” he said. “It was a long year and sticking with my teammates to be able to go 16-0 and be able to win the national championship. It was a good season for us and I’m just glad we were able to get it done.”
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti hoists the George P. Crumbley Trophy after defeating the Oregon Ducks in the 2025 College Football Playoff semifinals of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 9, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
So why might Indiana do it again in 2026 and beyond?
“Just from Coach Cig and his process — he’s a process-oriented guy. He doesn’t dwell on the past. He gets right back to work and I wouldn’t be surprised if we go back-to-back,” Ponds responded.
