Meet Cornell Powell: A Football Player’s Journey from College Star to NFL Prospect

Who Is Cornell Powell?

Cornell Powell is a professional football player who plays the wide receiver position. Think of a wide receiver like the "catcher" in baseball — their main job is to run down the field and catch passes thrown by the quarterback.

Important Point: Powell played college football at Clemson University, a school famous for its strong football program. Many NFL stars have come from Clemson!

College Success at Clemson

Before joining the NFL, Powell had an amazing final season at Clemson:

• 882 receiving yards — That’s like running the length of about 8 football fields after catching the ball!
• 7 touchdowns — He scored 7 times by catching the ball in the end zone
• These stats show he was one of the top playmakers on his team

The NFL Draft Journey

Step 1: Pre-Draft Testing

Before the draft, players participate in the NFL Scouting Combine — think of it like a job interview where they show off their athletic skills:

• 40-yard dash: 4.53 seconds (that’s fast — about 18 mph!)
• RAS Score: 7.59 out of 10
  • RAS (Relative Athletic Score) compares a player’s athletic testing to other players at their position. A 7.59 means Powell tested better than about 76% of wide receivers!

Step 2: Draft Day

• Selected in the 5th round (165th overall pick) by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 NFL Draft
• Being a 5th-round pick means teams saw potential but wanted to see more development

NFL Career So Far

With the Kansas City Chiefs

• Games played: 3 games total
• Primary role: Special teams
  • Special teams are the units that handle kicking plays (kickoffs, punts, field goals)
• Career catches: 0 (hasn’t caught a pass in a regular-season game yet)

Recent Move

• 2025: Joined the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad
  • Practice squad = A group of up to 16 players who practice with the team but don’t play in games unless promoted
  • It’s like being a "reserve player" who stays ready for an opportunity

Important Point: Many NFL players spend time on practice squads before getting their chance to play. It’s a normal part of the journey!

Why This Matters

Cornell Powell’s story shows the reality of the NFL:

1. College success doesn’t guarantee instant NFL stardom
2. Many players contribute on special teams first
3. Practice squads are valuable for development
4. The path to playing time often takes patience

Summary

Powell remains a young player with proven college production and good athletic traits, still working toward his first NFL catch.

FAQ

What does "RAS" mean?

RAS stands for Relative Athletic Score. It’s a number from 0–10 that compares a player’s combine/workout numbers (speed, jumping, agility) to historical data for their position. A 7.59 is considered above average.

What is a practice squad?

A practice squad is a group of players who practice with the team but don’t count on the 53-man active roster. They can be promoted to the active roster during the season. It’s a way for teams to develop young talent.

What are "special teams"?

Special teams handle all kicking plays:

• Kickoffs & kickoff returns
• Punts & punt returns
• Field goals & extra points
  Players on special teams need speed, tackling ability, and discipline.

Why hasn’t Powell caught any NFL passes yet?

Several reasons:

1. Depth chart: The Chiefs had star receivers like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce
2. Role: He was primarily used on special teams
3. Development: Transitioning from college to NFL offense takes time
4. Opportunity: Only 3 games played = very limited chances

Can he still become a productive NFL receiver?

Absolutely! Many receivers break out in their 3rd–4th years. Powell has:

• Proven college production
• Good athletic testing
• NFL coaching experience
• Fresh opportunity with Pittsburgh
  He’s still only in his mid-20s with time to develop.