| Chaz Powell |
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The 2008 season-opener will be a game Chaz Powell should fondly remember. A safety during his redshirt season in 2007, the coaching staff wanted to get his speed and athleticism on the offense, shifting him to wide receiver during preseason. On his second collegiate carry in the opener with Coastal Carolina, Powell took the ball around the right end and broke free down the sideline, bursting for a 55-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He gained 60 yards on two carries to launch a successful redshirt freshman campaign. Playing in every game, the multi-talented Powell gained experience in a role similar to that of Derrick Williams, earning opportunities to carry and catch the ball, as well as return kicks. Powell accumulated 370 all-purpose yards last year, the second-highest total among non-starters. The former Susquehannock HS standout is atop the depth chart at one of the wideout spots and should have the opportunity to emerge as a significant contributor for the offense and special teams. The swift and athletic Powell averaged a strong 28.8 yards on nine kickoff returns last year, led by a 69-yarder at Syracuse, and should be among the top candidates to return kicks. With continued hard work and more game experience, the promising Powell should be an impact player the next three seasons.
2008 Sophomore Season
On his second collegiate carry in the season-opener with Coastal Carolina, Powell took the ball around the right end and broke free down the sideline, scoring on a 55-yard run in the third quarter. He gained 60 yards on two carries to launch a successful redshirt freshman campaign. Powell accumulated 370 all-purpose yards, the second-highest total among non-starters. He averaged 28.8 yards on nine kickoff returns, led by a 69-yard burst at Syracuse to set up a Collin Wagner field goal in the third quarter. Powell gained 74 rushing yards on eight carries, for a team-best 9.2 average, and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes against the Orange for 37 yards, with a long of 22 yards, giving him a season-best 105 all-purpose yards. Powell tallied his second career touchdown on a seven-yard run in the win over Temple. He had a strong special teams effort in the win against Michigan, returning two kickoffs for 75 yards. His 43-yard return after the Wolverines had taken a 10-0 lead provided a big momentum boost for the Nittany Lions. Two plays later, Evan Royster burst up the middle on a 44-yard score to begin a 46-7 run to end the game. Powell also returned a kickoff 25 yards in the 49-18 win over Michigan State. In the 2009 Rose Bowl against Southern California, Powell gained 58 yards on three kickoff returns. He was on the field for 141 plays, led by 26 snaps against the Wolverines.
2007 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. Powell made three tackles in the 2008 Blue-White game.
High School
Powell was a multi-talented defensive back and running back for Coach Tom Waranavage at Susquehannock HS. He was rated the No. 2 overall prep player in Pennsylvania by Rivals.com. As a senior, he gained a team-high 1,190 yards rushing and scored 16 touchdowns, adding 400 receiving yards. The 2006 York/Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association Player-of-the-Year, he grabbed three interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown. He was slowed by an ankle injury early in his senior season. Powell's ability to have a significant impact also was demonstrated by his 16 blocked field goals and punts. He also was a standout on the basketball, lacrosse and track and field teams in high school.
Personal
Full name is Chaz Eugene Miller Powell. He has two younger sisters, Chavon and Chelsea. He enjoys spending time with friends, working out, movies and video games. Powell is interested in a career in restaurant management. Born January 1, 1988 in Baltimore, Md.
