Elijah Ponder emerged from Cal Poly with notable pass-rush production, totaling 25 career sacks across five seasons and 16 in his final two years. His 2023 campaign included nine sacks, 37 pressures, and elite PFF marks (89.9 overall, 90.7 pass rush). The Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent, and outside linebackers coach Mike Smith publicly praised his athleticism and film work. Mike Smith has NFL playing and long coaching experience, adding weight to his endorsement. Ponder’s combination of production, burst, and coach enthusiasm positions him as a promising developmental prospect for 2025 and beyond.
Ponder, a Cal Poly alum, had a successful five-year run with the program, and primarily saw his sack production come in his final two seasons. After nine sacks in his first three years, he managed to tie that total in 2023. This past season, he added seven more to his career total, with 25 in five years and 16 in the last two.
His 2023 was an awe-inspiring season; he posted an 89.9 overall PFF grade and a 90.7 pass rush grade. Zooming out from his nine sacks, he had 37 pressures. "I'm fired up about that kid... Probably one of the best free agent pickups I've ever seen... Actually don't put that out there just in case."
Collection
[
|
...
]