NFL Draft
4/24/25
4 min read
Elijah Ponder 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Cal Poly Mustangs EDGE
Height: 6027 (verified)
Weight: 251lbs (verified)
Year: Redshirt Senior
Scouting Overview
Cal Poly Mustangs edge defender Elijah Ponder is a productive small-school talent with the first-step quickness and intensity level to be a productive pass rusher at the pro level.
There will be some adjustments to the level of competition, as Ponder will likely find NFL tackles' edges harder to capture and the athleticism more difficult to run through. But his rush IQ and general sense of navigating the pocket serve as a sturdy foundation to eventually capture a role at the pro level.
2025 NFL Combine Results
DNP
Positives
- Excellent first step, quickness, and explosiveness off the edge
- Boasts legit length (80” wingspan at pro day)
- Illustrates several rush counters that help him to win first contact and sustain momentum
Negatives
- Run defending profile lacks the same appeal as what he can offer in the passing game
- Does not have the kind of easy power that will allow him to change up his rushes and bull
- Somewhat undersized to play with his hand on the dirt on the edge, while also coming from FCS, could prompt a steeper developmental curve
Background
Ponder is from Pomona, CA, and played high school football for Bishop Amat HS. He was a productive pass-rush talent and garnered interest from programs such as Colorado State, Yale, and Dixie State before ultimately settling on Cal Poly.
Ponder played his freshman season in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, playing in 3 games before collecting a starting role for the program in the fall of 2021. That year, he started all 11 games and has held a role as a starter ever since. Ponder was named FCS Third Team All-American in 2023 after posting a career high of 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
He finished his college career with 47 games played, 26.5 sacks, and 43.5 tackles for loss at Cal Poly.
Tale Of The Tape
Ponder is a fluid, athletic edge rusher with the makings of a disruptive talent if he can properly recalibrate his pass rush strategies amid a leap in competition. He profiles as a designated pass rusher first and foremost, with good bend and lateral agility. Ponder pairs those traits with good motor and spatial awareness that allow him to circle back if he’s run past his landmarks and make second-effort plays.
However, there are some missing dynamics in his play. Ponder plays lighter, and his point of attack work could be a barrier to significant snaps on early downs unless he can refine his recognition and deconstruction skills.
Ponder has some potential as a penetration run defender thanks to his first-step quickness and sufficient wingspan along the edge, which gives him an adequate area of influence if left unblocked or crashing the mesh point. However, Ponder’s ability to anchor and hold the point against drive blocks and combos should be considered a work in progress.
As such, he’s unlikely to get a lot of run early, barring dramatically exceeding expectations.
But the rush counters show football IQ that extends beyond his FCS background. Ponder is missing some punch power that would allow him to roll back tackles, and he’s a bit finesse as a result. If he can stack some mass on his frame and maintain his twitchiness, he’s well-positioned to have enough clubs in the bag to threaten tackles of all kinds.
As is, heavy anchor blockers and crisp punchers will likely be able to offset his upward track far too easily. If Ponder needs to bull rush, he may not have enough oomph or power to successfully reduce tackles and decrease his exit angles to the quarterback.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
Ponder projects best to the NFL as a developmental designated pass rusher. He has the reach, the twitch, and the body control to win at the NFL level in obvious passing situations and be a valued piece of a rotation while playing from either a 2—or 3-point stance.
Grade: 70.00/100.00, Fifth Round Value
Big Board Rank: 195
Position Rank: EDGE26
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