Cornell Powell Bio
Cornell Powell (born October 30, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and currently competes at the professional level. Powell is widely recognized as the first player in history to win championships in the NCAA, the UFL, and the NFL. Standing at 183 centimeters and weighing 93 kilograms, he has built a versatile résumé that spans practice squads, active rosters, and championship rosters.
Early Life and Background
Cornell Powell was born on October 30, 1997, in Greenville, North Carolina. He grew up in the same community where he would later become a celebrated high school athlete. Powell attended JH Rose High School in Greenville, where he developed into one of the most productive receivers in the region. During his senior season, he recorded 65 receptions for 1,557 yards and 38 total touchdowns, establishing himself as a premier recruit. His performances attracted attention from several college programs across the country.
Following his senior year, Powell committed to Clemson University to play college football. The decision allowed him to remain in the Carolinas and join one of the most competitive programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference. His journey from Greenville to Clemson marked the beginning of a developmental path that would eventually lead to the National Football League. Throughout his formative years, Powell balanced athletic ambition with academic responsibilities, preparing for the demands of a professional football career.
Path to American Football
Powell spent the early portion of his college career at Clemson working within a deep and talented receiver room. From 2016 to 2019, he served primarily as a backup, learning the intricacies of route running, blocking, and offensive schemes. He took a redshirt in 2018 after appearing in only four games, a decision that preserved a year of eligibility while allowing him to recover and develop. Across his first four seasons, Powell totaled 40 receptions for 329 yards and three touchdowns.
The 2020 season marked Powell’s most significant step forward at Clemson. He became a starter for the first time in his redshirt senior year and delivered a breakout campaign. He finished the season with 53 receptions for 882 yards and seven touchdowns, earning Third-team All-ACC recognition. That performance positioned him for selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and launched his professional career.
Cornell Powell Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Powell was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round, 181st overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021, and immediately joined a competitive receiver group. Powell was waived on August 31 but re-signed to the practice squad the following day, beginning a pattern of practice squad movement that defined his early professional years. On February 2, 2022, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs.
The 2022 season followed a similar arc. Powell was waived on August 30 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He continued refining his craft, learning from veteran receivers and coaches within the Chiefs organization. Although his on-field statistics remained limited, his development behind the scenes prepared him for the championship moments that lay ahead.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2023–2024)
The 2023 season represented a turning point for Powell. He was placed on the practice squad/injured list on January 3, 2023, yet remained part of the Chiefs organization throughout their championship run. Powell won Super Bowl LVII as the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, securing the first Super Bowl ring of his career. On February 15, he signed a reserve/future contract, signaling the team’s continued confidence in his development.
In 2023, for the third consecutive year, Powell started the season waived by the Chiefs and re-signed to the practice squad on August 29. He went on to win a second consecutive Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. His contract expired when the team’s season ended on February 11, 2024. On February 21, 2024, Powell re-signed with the Chiefs before being waived on August 27. He returned to the practice squad on October 22 and was released on November 19, concluding his initial tenure in Kansas City.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–2025)
On November 26, 2024, Powell was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad, opening a new chapter in his professional journey. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025, demonstrating the Seahawks’ interest in retaining him for the upcoming season. However, Powell was waived by the Seahawks on February 22, ending his brief time with the franchise.
DC Defenders Era (2025)
On March 3, 2025, Powell signed with the DC Defenders of the United Football League, transitioning to spring professional football. He quickly made an impact, helping the Defenders capture the UFL championship that same year. Powell also led the league in receiving touchdowns during the 2025 season, showcasing the playmaking ability he had refined throughout his career.
Houston Texans Era (2025)
Following his UFL success, Powell returned to the NFL on August 19, 2025, when he signed with the Houston Texans. His time with the Texans was brief, as he was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025)
On November 25, 2025, Powell was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, continuing his pattern of perseverance across multiple organizations. He was released on December 2, 2025, closing that short stint with the Steelers.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 183 centimeters tall and weighing 93 kilograms, Powell brings a strong, physical frame to the wide receiver position. His development at Clemson under competitive conditions shaped him into a reliable possession receiver with dependable hands. His championship experience across multiple leagues reflects his ability to adapt and contribute within diverse offensive systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Powell’s career includes several historic milestones. He won CFP national championships with Clemson in 2016 and 2018, capturing consecutive college titles. He then won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2025, he added a UFL championship with the DC Defenders, becoming the first player in history to win championships in the NCAA, UFL, and NFL. That unique distinction underscores the breadth of his accomplishments.
Cornell Powell Career Wins
Cornell Powell has compiled a remarkable collection of championships across multiple levels of football. His victories include two CFP national championships, two Super Bowl titles, and a UFL championship. He also led the UFL in receiving touchdowns during the 2025 season, highlighting his scoring ability at the professional level.
Championship Highlights
Powell’s first championship came as a member of the Clemson Tigers, where he contributed to the program’s 2016 and 2018 CFP national title runs. His next championships arrived in the NFL, where he won Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII with the Kansas City Chiefs. The 2025 UFL championship with the DC Defenders added a spring football title to his résumé and cemented his place in football history as a champion at every level he has competed.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his championship success, Powell earned Third-team All-ACC honors in 2020 after recording 53 receptions for 882 yards and seven touchdowns in his redshirt senior season at Clemson. That performance established him as a legitimate NFL prospect and led to his selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Cornell Powell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Cornell Powell’s immediate family remains limited. He grew up in Greenville, North Carolina, and attended JH Rose High School, where he built the foundation for his football career. Details about his parents and siblings have not been widely reported in verified sources.
Personal Life
Cornell Powell maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional journey. He is represented by accounts on X at cornellpowell14 and on Instagram at cornellpowell14. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children has not been publicly confirmed in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been one of the most eventful of Powell’s professional career. He began the year with the DC Defenders of the UFL, where he led the league in receiving touchdowns and helped the team secure the UFL championship. That spring success earned him another opportunity in the NFL, leading to a brief stint with the Houston Texans during training camp. Although he was waived as part of final roster cuts, Powell quickly returned to an NFL practice squad when the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him on November 25. His release on December 2 concluded a year defined by movement, perseverance, and championship-level production. Powell’s ability to contribute across multiple leagues and teams demonstrates his durability and football intelligence. As he looks ahead, his unique championship pedigree and proven receiving skills position him for continued opportunities in professional football.