Springfield OLB announces college decision

“He comes from a really good background of coaching, and he knows how to win,” Powell said.

“He has a really good tradition behind him, and he’s always fired up for every drill, every rep of practice. If somebody messes up, he’s he’s on them like a good coach should, and he coaches ‘em up.”

Listed at 6-foot-3, 193 pounds, Powell was an honorable mention All-GWOC outside linebacker last fall when he made 47 tackles, including seven for loss and 2.5 sacks.

A Rivals.com three-star prospect, Powell also forced two fumbles and recovered four more in his first season with the Wildcats.

He chose WVU over Buffalo and Kentucky but said the fact his older brother, Jonathan, played basketball for the Mountaineers this past season was just a coincidence.

“Every time I went up to West Virginia, it’s always been a lot of love and a lot of acceptance, not only with the defensive side of the staff but the offensive side, too,” Powell said. “They really just makes it feel like home and a really good place to be.”

He is one of four Springfield juniors to have reported receiving NCAA Division I FBS offers so far.

That group also includes All-GWOC defensive tackle Royce Rogers (Buffalo, Kent State), defensive back Sincere Keyes (Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan) and running back/defensive back Deontre Long (Toledo).

Jonathan Powell played 32 games with 23 starts and added 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 37.8 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from 3-point range last season at WVU, but he announced earlier this month he is transferring to North Carolina.