Elijah Ponder to Participate in Hula Bowl
1/3/2025 3:17:00 PM | Football
ORLANDO, Fla. — Cal Poly football defensive end Elijah Ponder has accepted an invite to participate in the upcoming 2025 Hula Bowl as he embarks on his football career.
Ponder, who was a preseason Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist member and FCS Preseason All-American, will join the list of other Cal Poly football legends such as Stan Sheriff and Kamil Loud who have played in the Hula Bowl.
The Hula Bowl was established in 1946 and is one of the top college football all-star games in the country. NFL, Canadian Football League (CFL) and United Football League (UFL) scouts will be on-hand to watch the prospects of the game as Ponder seeks to hear his name called during this upcoming NFL draft.
“First of many opportunities for Elijah,” said Cal Poly football head coach Paul Wulff of the honor for Ponder. “He will represent himself and Cal Poly at the highest level. We are all excited to watch him with his next chapter in his career!”
Ponder finished his Cal Poly career this past season as the second Mustang to earn at least two First Team All-Big Sky Selections and was a four time All-Big Sky honoree. He ranks third in program history with 27 sacks, first in quarterback hurries with 44, and fifth in tackles for loss with 43.5.
This past season, he led the Mustangs in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hurries for a second consecutive season. His seven sacks were fourth most in the Big Sky while his 12.5 tackles for loss were fifth most.
The 79th Hula Bowl will be played on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. PT at the UCF FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
