Indiana football is coming off a national championship and has its sights set on a repeat. But head coach Curt Cignetti isn’t just working on next season — he’s already building for 2027.
On Sunday, the Hoosiers landed a verbal commitment from 2027 cornerback Chris Bradley, according to Rivals. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound defensive back picked Indiana over Wisconsin, Temple, and several other programs. And his game — and build — has drawn immediate comparisons to a familiar name: former Hoosiers star D’Angelo Ponds, who now plays for the New York Jets.
Bradley isn’t shying away from that comparison. ‘I feel like I have an all around game,’ Bradley told On3. ‘I have the speed, twitch, jumping ability. I’m an all around player. Coach Cig wouldn’t say I resemble D’Angelo Ponds for nothing.’
Bradley recently visited Bloomington and came away impressed. The connection with Cignetti, who has a reputation for developing defensive backs, sealed the deal. ‘All Glory To God, Hoosier Nation I’m coming home,’ Bradley said after announcing his pledge.
Cignetti has turned Indiana into a Big Ten powerhouse faster than almost anyone expected. In just two seasons, he’s led the Hoosiers to two College Football Playoff appearances and a national championship in 2025. Now the challenge is sustaining that success — and Cignetti knows the margin for error is razor-thin.
‘We’re coming off the national championship,’ Cignetti said, per Indiana’s official site. ‘There are a lot of feel goods out there. It’s really important we have the edge and get better. Our guys have to be humble and hungry. So much of it is between the ears. That’s going to be really important this summer and fall.’
Before turning Indiana into a title contender, Cignetti built his resume at James Madison, Elon, and Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He also served as an assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama, learning the blueprint for sustained excellence.
Bradley’s commitment is the latest sign that Cignetti’s recruiting machine is humming — even two years out. With Ponds already in the NFL, the Hoosiers are betting Bradley can fill those shoes. And if Bradley’s confidence is any indication, he’s ready for that pressure.
Indiana opens the 2026 season on September 5 against North Texas. By then, Bradley will be a senior in high school — but the Hoosiers are already thinking about what he can bring to the secondary.
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