Ponder Named to Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist
8/21/2024 2:16:00 PM | Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Continuing to garner national attention, senior Mustang defensive end Elijah Ponder has been named to the watchlist for college football’s most prominent postseason all-star game, the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the game’s organizers announced Wednesday.
Ponder, who already this preseason has been named to the Shrine Bowl watchlist and an FCS Preseason All-American and Preseason All-Big Sky selection, comes into this season as one of the premiere defensive players in the country.
Last season, he led the Big Sky and was fifth in the FCS in sacks with 10. He also ended the year with 52 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hurries, which tied the program record for most in a season. He heads into his final season seventh all-time in career sacks in school history with 20. He needs just five sacks to move into third all-time in Cal Poly history.
Ponder is one of just 13 players from the Big Sky named to the list representing nearly 900 of the best players in college football.
Have we told you Reese -ently ... Elijah Ponder has been named on the Reese Senior Bowl Watch List! #RideHigh pic.twitter.com/BjyNYaPfMy
— Cal Poly Football (@calpolyfootball) August 21, 2024
Two players in program history have played in the Senior Bowl, wide receiver Ramses Barden in 2007 and defensive back Asa Jackson in 2012. Jackson is currently the defensive back’s coach for the Mustangs.
The Senior Bowl is considered the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process. The longest continual-running all-star game, it has taken place in Mobile, Alabama, for the past 75 years. The game gives elite draft prospects from around the country the chance to showcase their talent and connect with coaches and decision-makers from all 32 NFL teams.
This year's Senior Bowl is set for Feb. 1, 2025, at the University of South Alabama's Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Cal Poly is set to begin its 2024 season Aug. 31 on the road against the University of San Diego. The first home game is Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. against Western Oregon at Mustang Memorial Field Presented by French Hospital at Spanos Stadium.
