Rivals250 DT cancels officials, focuses on season

Four-star Ahoskie (N.C.) Hertford County defensive tackle Tydreke Powell had scheduled official visits to Florida State, Penn State and Auburn. The 6-foot-3, 298-pounder has scrapped those plans in an effort to maintain his focus on the remainder of this season.

"The Penn State visit was a misunderstanding and I wasn't planning to go there in the first place," he said. "I did have an official to Auburn scheduled too for November 10th, but I've cancelled that. I do plan to take that visit along with others in December and January.

"I've been thinking about it and I'm just focused on one goal of finishing the season out and getting to a state championship. Then after the season I'll take my first visit. I realized if I take a visit now, I'll only be able to be somewhere for a day, but if I go later I can go up for two days. It's just too hard to take visits during the season."

The Rivals250 prospect has helped Hertford County to a solid regular season up to this point.

"It's going great, we're 8-1 and we gave away the one loss," he said. "I'm not glad we lost, but in a way I am because the team came back so strong and isn't taking anyone lightly. Now we know what we've got to do. We learned from our mistakes and I think that will help us in the playoffs.

"I think this is the best team I've played on. We have a lot of leadership this year and everyone wants to win. Everyone isn't for themselves like it's been the last three years. You've got to have those and if your best player is only an I guy that doesn't work."

As for himself, Powell has stepped up his game for Hertford County.

"It's going great," Powell said. "I've got 64 tackles and 10 sacks in six games. I know I can always do better. I'm just trying to step up my game week to week. I know I'm one of the best defensive tackles in the country, but whoever says you can't learn is wrong. I'm learning new moves and stunts each week and getting stronger. I'm looking to bring a state championship home."

With all this focus on the season, what does a title mean to Powell?

"That means everything, we've been talking about that for so long," he said. "It means a lot not just for me, but to bring a title back to this town."