P for Powell, power
Brute strength is the name of the game for one of Mississippi's top offensive
line prospects.
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Trey Powell, a 6-foot-5, 321-pound tackle from Baldwyn High School, is
said to enjoy the behind-the-scenes preparation as much as pancaking a
linebacker under the lights on a Friday evening.
"He's a worker. That's the best way to describe him," said Baldwyn assistant
coach Gregg Tucker. "He loves the weight room almost as much as he does the
games. He's always in there working to get better."
It's a work ethic that was instilled in Powell early in his career.
"He came to us a 6-3, 260-pound kid with a lot of baby fat," Tucker said.
"But we could see there was something there. We told him what could be ahead of
him if he dedicated himself, and he took the challenge. He's one of the best
linemen around now."
Powell was a key member of Baldwyn's 10-2 squad as a junior, recognized as
the state's best left tackle in Class 2A. He also captured the North State power
lifting championship in the super-heavyweight divsion. He bench presses 360
pounds, squats 540 and dead lifts 550.
"I know what it takes to be the best," Powell said. "That's why I spend so
much time working out."
He's hoping the effort translates into scholarship offers in the near future.
Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Ole Miss and Mississippi State have shown the most
interest to date.
"I really want to play in the SEC," he said. "That's been a dream of mine.
I'd like to stay kind of close to home, but being in the SEC is the most
important thing to me. I'm just going to be patient and try to find the best place for me."
Powell plans to camp at Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Auburn this summer.
He may also attend camps at Arkansas and Tennessee.
"He's going to make a good one," Tucker said. "He's already a big, powerful
kid, but we think he's still growing. He's got a size 19 shoe, so he may get
even bigger than what he is now."