PSU's Powell hopes versatility, athleticism will land him in NFL

The Susquehannock graduate's agent said he thinks Chaz Powell will end up in the pros 'come hell or high water.'

Penn State's Chaz Powell stretches before the TicketCity Bowl on Jan. 2 in Dallas. Powell, a Susquehannock graduate, is spending the last few weeks before the NFL Draft in State College, after working out at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and training in Tennessee. (Daily Record/Sunday News -- File)

STATE COLLEGE -- Chaz Powell is back here for the final leg of his NFL journey.

He's rooming again with his old Nittany Lion teammate, Derek Moye.

He's working out here, but in a revamped Penn State weight room with a revamped program feature Olympic lifts with barbells.

He was back on the outside artificial turf practice field the other day -- only this time he was watching his old team with its new coaches.

He had just worked out for the New England Patriots' scouts, along with some other teammates.

And now the hardest part of his journey is here, the waiting.

He will be working out and living here for nearly another month before learning his pro destination.

That's a lot of empty time, considering everything he's

Penn State's Chaz Powell, right, stiff arms Purdue's Carson Wiggs on the way to the end zone to score after a 92-yard kickoff return in Penn State's 25-18 victory Oct. 15, 2011. Powell boasts experience all over the field -- as a returner and on coverage on special teams, as a wide receiver and as a cornerback. His agent says the Susquehannock graduate's versatility and athleticism are bound to land him in the NFL. (Daily Record/Sunday News -- File)

already done to prepare.

The Susquehannock graduate spent weeks working out at a training facility in Tennessee.

He has put on seven pounds of muscle, said he has gotten more explosive and even faster.

He was tested, worked out and examined over four "crazy" days at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

He performed for more NFL scouts at Penn State's recent Pro Day.

He's hired an agent.

And now he must wait.

Will his vast versatility will hurt him or help him at the NFL Draft?

He never was a star receiver or cornerback at Penn State -- but he was good enough to start at both, the first Lion to do that on offense and defense in 20 years.

He never had stunning statistics, and yet because of his speed, strength and jumping ability, some consider him to be a unique rising pro talent.

Actually, his work as a kick returner and tackler could help him the most.

"The biggest thing for me is special teams," Powell said. "I was all over the field (at Penn State). Destroyer, kick returner, I did just about everything. That will help a lot."

Powell's agent is Deryk Gilmore of Priority Sports Entertainment, who has represented former Lions Paul Posluszny and Sean Lee.

Gilmore was a defensive tackle on Penn State's 1986 national title team. He coached at Illinois and Oregon.

With Powell, he focused on upside.

"Because not many guys can return kicks and come down and cover on special teams," Gilmore said. "I think Chaz can come in and be a nickel corner and be a special teamer. But, in a pinch, Chaz could play receiver.

"Chaz lends you a lot of flexibility. I don't think he's just a special teams guy. .?.?. He's just learning to play."

At Penn State, Powell played only one full season and half of another on defense, where he expects to focus in the NFL.

He said he's hearing he could be a fourth- to sixth-round draft pick. But even if not picked at all, he will get a shot at making a team as a free agent.

"Damn,

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there's a lot of upside to this guy," Gilmore said. "He's raw, just learning to play the position. He's fast, and you can't teach that. He's athletic, and you can't teach that. When he touches the ball he's electric."

NFL coaches "always are looking for playmakers, and he's a playmaker. That's something you can't coach."

Player and agent are convinced he will have a pro career.

"Come hell or high water, I think we'll get him on a team and he'll come in and thrive," Gilmore said. "I don't get hung up on draft picks.

"I'm convinced he's going to play in the NFL. I hope and believe he'll be drafted, but if he doesn't, I'm not crying. There's definitely a lot of teams who like him."

Gilmore would not say who supposedly wants him.

Powell said it doesn't matter where he gets his shot.

He's just convinced it will happen.

"No question. I've got the ability and the athleticism. I'm going to make it. I'm going to be there for a few years."
@YDRPennState; 771-2104

Also of interest

? Penn State's Chaz Powell: Inked in faith
? Powell a vision in versatility for Nittany Lions

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