4-Star Cornell Powell '100% Committed' to Clemson, but Plans to Visit Others
Last national signing day while the focus of college football fans shifted to 2015 recruits, Cornell Powell claimed a small piece of spotlight by committing to Clemson.
Just a junior at the time, his early February pledge helped highlight a five-day stretch that featured Tigers commitments from fellow 4-star wide receiver Tavares Chase, Georgia linebacker Jamie Skalski and 5-star running back Tavien Feaster.
Six months later, Powell's decision remains intact, but it wasn't quite as effective as he anticipated.
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"You would think once you commit that other schools would start to back off and things would become less crazy, but that's definitely not the case," he told Bleacher Report. "They knew I still had another 365 days to make a final choice so my recruitment never really ended."
Programs stayed persistent in the pursuit of Powell, a prized 6'1", 180-pound prospect from J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, North Carolina.
Though he is unwavering in his loyalty to Clemson, upcoming official visit opportunities appeal to the playmaker.
"I'm still 100 percent committed to Clemson. I just want to have fun and enjoy this process, as many high school athletes should," Powell said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
He opted to take advantage, lining up trips to four universities this fall. Powell confirmed plans to visit Georgia (Sept. 19), Oklahoma (Oct. 3) and Ohio State (Oct. 17), before closing out his multi-campus tour with a return to Clemson (Nov. 7).
At this stage, it's unclear whether he will ultimately use a fifth and final official visit before signing day. Regardless, Powell will attend several compelling games this season.
Georgia hosts South Carolina in its SEC home opener when he comes to town. First-year offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has made a strong impression on Powell, encouraging him to visit Athens.
"Me and Coach Schottenheimer have a very good relationship. I want to get down there to check out the campus. He told me I will love it, so I need to see it for myself," he said.
Oklahoma also set itself apart with an assistant coach. Powell was previously recruited by Sooners offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley at East Carolina, establishing longstanding familiarity.
"He recruited me hard when I was a freshman and sophomore to come to ECU, which is right around the corner from me," Powell said. "We lost touch for a little while when he went to Oklahoma, but things picked backed up. He's one of my favorite coaches, so I'm excited to spend some time with him at the school."
Oklahoma welcomes him to Norman for a matchup with West Virginia.
His motivation for visiting Ohio State is straight to the point.
"I want to see how national champions operate," Powell said.
He will be in attendance when the Buckeyes face Penn State.
Clemson is likely the last stop in his recruitment. He plans to watch the Tigers take on reigning ACC champion Florida State.
Powell expects further confirmation that he made the correct choice in February.
"It will feel like going home. There's no place better. Every time I visit, I fall more in love with it," he said.
Clemson has become a notable landing spot for top-tier wide receivers during head coach Dabo Swinney's tenure. Recent alumni Martavis Bryant, Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins are all expected to play expansive roles on their respective NFL squads this year.
Powell is likely to join a group that now features 5-star 2015 signee Deon Cain.
"Wide receiver is more than a position at Clemson, it's a state of mind," he said. "When you play wide receiver there, you take that opportunity seriously and personally. It is so exciting to know I can learn from the best and play with an incredibly dynamic quarterback in Deshaun Watson."
J.H. Rose High School started training camp Monday. Powell, who caught 67 passes for 1,248 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2014, enters his final campaign at the school with high expectations.
"I have one goal this season and that's to win a state championship. That's by any means necessary, whether I catch 70 passes or 20," he said. "It's going to be tougher this year with all the attention I'll get from defenses, but I'm prepared. I've become an improved route-runner and I understand the game better than ever."
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