Although no Mustangs were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, one player has found a home as an undrafted free agent. Edge rusher Elijah Ponder signed with the New England Patriots on Saturday and will get a shot to make the team coming out of training camp.
Ponder, a Pomona, California native, spent five seasons at Cal Poly and improved each year, amassing 26.5 career sacks, third in the school’s history.
Ponder was named First-Team All-Big Sky in both 2023 and 2024.
Over his career, he registered 106 solo tackles across 47 games. He was also invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl and had a standout performance, recording a sack and generating a pressure that set up an interception.
Ahead of the draft, various outlets had Ponder as an expected late-round pick. He projects to be a rotational defensive player with the potential to bloom into a starter if he continues to develop.
Teams took note of his quickness off the snap and his nimbleness when engaged with blockers. His ability to drop back in coverage adds versatility. He’s seen as a raw but promising talent with a good football IQ.
On the other hand, being an undersized defensive end at 6-foot-2, 251 pounds, and the lack of quality competition were questions that teams were aware of, likely contributing to his slide out of the draft.
Cal Poly is best known in football for being the alma mater of John Madden before he became a Hall of Fame coach and announcer. The program has also had 31 players make it to the pros in school history.
The last Cal Poly player to reach an NFL roster was wide receiver Chris Coleman, who signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. However, he was cut after training camp and has not appeared in an NFL game.
The Patriots finished last in the NFL in sacks with just 28 last season, so Ponder’s pass-rushing skills will be greatly appreciated by the rebuilding team looking to create a new identity under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
Ponder will have an uphill battle to make the roster due to New England’s many additions in free agency. If he can continue his stellar college play, they will be getting someone who can make a difference coming off the edge with the ability to do more if he grows in size and as a player.
Time shall tell if green and gold will be represented on NFL Sundays this fall.