Early in the summer, if you told someone that the Indiana-Penn State game in November would have tremendous meaning for only one team, they would have for sure thought that you meant Penn State. The reality is, however, that Penn State is having a disaster of a season. At 3-5, their chances of making the College Football Playoff have been over for a long time.
As for Indiana, a well-known college basketball school, they are the No. 2 team in the country with a 9-0 record. At this point, they deserve the status of a true title contender. Indiana has to get past Ohio State if it wants to win the Big Ten and give itself the best chance in the playoffs, but that is something to worry about on another day.
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Would the Chicago Bears consider bringing any of Indiana’s players across the border via the 2026 NFL draft? How about Penn State? Well, there are a couple worth considering.
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
There is a lot of uncertainty in the secondary of Chicago’s defense. The Bears don’t know who is healthy enough to rely on, and they don’t know for sure who is good enough to build around in the long term. There are a bunch of hopefuls, but you don’t win the Super Bowl because of hope. Taking a chance on a cornerback in the middle rounds of the NFL draft is a great way to find a diamond in the rough, as the Bears have done so many times with defensive players.
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D’Angelo Ponds, who is likely to go in the third round, is someone to keep an eye on as he goes against Penn State. He is looking to build on his current strong season, where he has 29 total tackles, three for a loss, four pass deflections, and one interception. A strong finish will make him an earlier-than-expected draft pick by a team looking for help, like the Bears.
Vega Ioane, OL, Penn State
A lot is made about the offensive line in Chicago. They have improved this season compared to last, but there is always going to be a need for depth. All five guys could get hurt in an instant, and then all of a sudden, a team has no chance to win because having no line makes the offense stall.
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Vega Ioane of Penn State is someone to consider for depth. If the Nittany Lions were having a better year, he may be considered to be a first-round lock, but he will likely be someone selected in the first third of the second round. For the Bears, they need as many players like Ioane as possible.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Indiana vs. Penn State: Draft prospects to watch
