Elijah Ponder
Career Summary
Elijah Ponder is a linebacker from Pomona, California, who played college football at Cal Poly before signing with the New England Patriots as a rookie free agent in 2025.
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Early Life
Ponder is from Pomona, California and majored in architectural engineering at Cal Poly.
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High School
As a high school senior, Ponder was named Most Valuable Lineman of the Mission League and earned first-team All-Mission League and second-team All-Los Angeles County recognition.
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College Career
Ponder played five seasons at Cal Poly from 2020 through 2024, appearing in 47 games. He finished with 167 tackles, 26.5 sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown, seven passes defended, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks.
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Path to the NFL
The New England Patriots signed Ponder as a rookie free agent on May 9, 2025, following his Cal Poly career.
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NFL Career
As a rookie in 2025, Ponder appeared in 15 regular-season games for New England and recorded 24 combined tackles, four sacks and two opponent fumble recoveries. He also recorded a team-high four pressures in the Patriots' AFC Championship Game win at Denver.
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Career Accomplishments
Ponder led the Big Sky Conference with 10 sacks in 2023. That season, he earned first-team all-conference recognition, third-team FCS All-American honors and Walter Camp FCS All-American recognition. He was also an All-Big Sky honorable mention selection in 2021 and 2022.
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Playing Style
At the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl, NFL coverage highlighted Ponder's bend, speed, spin move and quick hands, noting that he consistently affected the backfield and recorded a sack.
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31183, 00-0040574, 2002-08-24, Elijah Ponder, Elijah, Ponder
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 62.5
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.