Powell drawing rave reviews from teammates and coaches

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Thu Aug 11 11:28:14 GMT-04:00 2016

CLEMSON - Clemson freshman Cornell Powell spoke to TigerNet before arriving on campus at the end of May stating he was coming to TigerTown to compete for a starting spot on the football team. It appears that he was not joking as he has been impressive since the start of Fall practice.

"I've never been a backup, so I'm not going to settle for second string, but I'm going in there to try and earn me a starting spot over whoever and whenever I can," Powell said to TigerNet in late May. "I will definitely contribute on special teams and scout teams during practice to make my team better."

To be honest, I saw signs of his tremendous athletic ability as I watched him over the years at various Dabo Swinney Football camps and other events. His physicality is unique for a true freshman wide receiver, and he has that crisp route running and hands that could potentially make him very special. Regardless of my opinion, what does his teammates, his head coach, and his offensive coordinator say about his level of play since arriving on campus?

Veteran quarterback Nick Schuessler thought that the freshman playmaker did well during Wednesday's scrimmage.

"Cornell Powell I thought had a great day," Schuessler said. "He made a bunch of big plays for us." Powell finished the scrimmage with four receptions for 68 yards.

His fellow wide receiver teammate Trevion Thompson had the following positive scouting report on Powell on Wednesday.

"Cornell is a dynamic guy," Thompson said. "He's fast. He's strong. He came in physically ready. He just stands out to me because even though he is still learning he goes out there and makes plays even though he may be wrong he makes it full speed. He learns everyday in the meeting rooms. He asks questions, and he comes out and applies it to the game."

Even the coaches can't help to talk glowingly about the true freshman.

"He is strong," Swinney said about Powell to reporters on Wednesday. "He has a lot to learn, but he makes plays and breaks tackles. We have a lot of cleaning to do for him and Overton. But Cornell, I thought he shined today.”

Co-offensive Jeff Scott probably understands Powell the most because of his recruitment over several years and knows first hand his football talent.

"Cornell Powell got called out in front of the whole team," Scott said on Tuesday. "Coach Swinney has done a good job kind of stopping practice and putting guys in one on one situations in front of the whole team. Cornell went out there against one of our starting defensive backs and ran a great route and completed a deep ball. I think that was good for his confidence for him to do that in front of the entire team and also reward him for the work he has put in."