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As someone who grew up with Miami Hurricanes star running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds was very surprised to see him get into an argument with his Hoosiers teammate.
The Hoosiers made history Monday night, defeating the Hurricanes to complete the first 16-0 season in college football since 1894. It was Jamari Sharpe, Ponds’ fellow cornerback and another football player he grew up with in the Miami area, who secured the game-winning interception by quarterback Carson Beck at Hard Rock Stadium.
After the game, the ESPN broadcast picked up an altercation in which Fletcher, who had two touchdowns for Miami in the 27-21 loss, threw a punch at the Hoosiers’ Tyrique Tucker. It may have escalated even more had Hurricanes teammates and staff members not restrained Fletcher as the celebration ensued for the Hoosiers.
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Indiana Hoosiers DB D’Angelo Ponds (5) during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins and the Indiana Hoosiers on October 25, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. (James Black/Icon Sportswire)
Ponds was on hand with Sharpe and Hoosiers receiver Elijah Sarrat for a celebratory “shift” at Raising Cane’s in Bloomington, Indiana, and before meeting the raucous fans outside, he spoke to Pakinomist Digital about the moment with Fletcher and Tucker.
“The guys that were doing it, that’s a guy I knew growing up and stuff,” Ponds said of Fletcher, who attended American Heritage high school in Plantation, Fla. — just a half hour away from his own Chaminade-Madonna Prep.
“I don’t know the whole story about it. Was definitely shocked by that guy because it’s a guy I knew growing up.”
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Ponds suggested this was out of character for Fletcher, one of the Hurricanes’ leaders who helped them reach the College Football Playoff National Championship Game to begin with.
Tucker was accused of making a remark about Fletcher’s late father after the Hoosiers’ win. Mike Rumph, Miami’s director of recruiting, claimed in a comment on Instagram that Tucker made the comment.
“Dude was talking about Mark’s dad who passed away last year. Mark is and always will be one of the nicest people you will ever meet. RIP Mr. Fletcher,” Rumph wrote.
Tucker had a different story about what happened.
Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) rushes for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
“I was just trying to congratulate him on the game,” he told The Herald-Times. “He tried to sneak up on me, everybody held me back a little bit. It was a cheap shot. Luckily we got the win, I’m not really that worried about it. He’s salty, he’s going home with the L.”
Tucker apparently wanted to congratulate Fletcher on his two touchdown performance before things went awry, according to The Herald-Times. He said he didn’t say anything to him.
Fletcher has yet to comment on the incident.
In brighter news, Ponds also told reporters Thursday at Raising Cane’s in Bloomington, Indiana, that he plans to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds reflected on Mark Fletcher Jr. beating his teammate, Tyrique Tucker, after the national championship. (GETTY)
“I haven’t officially announced it,” he said, “but yes, that’s the plan.”
Ponds, a 5-foot-9, 173-pound cornerback, is expected to be a second-day pick this April by draft experts.
