Interview: 9-Offer 3-Star 2022 Arizona TE Tyler Powell Talks Football and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2020 high school football season for Brophy College Prep was a testament to the team and the leadership coming down from the top with head coach Jason Jewell. A normal season on the field for the Broncos is one filled with dominating wins against 6A Arizona squads. But the 2020 season got off to a rocky start with a “will they play or not” uncertainty carrying over into conditioning and practicing because of the coronavirus and then one quarter into their first game, the team lost their starting quarterback due to injury.
With the never quit mentality from guys like Class of 2022 tight end Tyler Powell leading the way, the Broncos did not back down from a challenge fighting all four quarters through an 0-7 season. The focus on the field morphed from a balance attack to a run-heavy approach giving Powell ample opportunities to improve upon his run blocking with some opportunities as a receiving threat. College coaches seeing the 6-7, 240-pound, talent in action are sold on his next level abilities with nine offers dropped.
In an RNG first-look interview, Powell covers ground on his junior run with a look inside his recruiting process.
Interview
Tyler, every football practice, every game, and every season provides learning lessons and opportunities to grow. For you on the field in 2020, how did playing through the adversity of the season help make you a better teammate and football player?
During COVID, that gave all the leaders on our team the time to show their skills and bring everyone together. We had conditioning practices every other day, the guys were upset. It was hard to tell if we were going to have a season. It was hard getting through to the guys to keep working hard, but all that work was worth it. In the end it was not for nothing. Since we put that work in, we were more prepared if we had assumed that we were not going to have a season.
Looks like the Broncos coaching staff was doing different things with you in their set. Where all were you lining up and how were they utilizing your skills within the scheme?
This year I mostly lined up tight, in a wing position, since we lost our quarterback in our first game and in the first quarter. They built our offense around the running game and put me in position to block. I ran some routes, but most of the time I was in formation to block for the run.
How did your talents as a blocker improve during your junior campaign?
It improved a lot because I was doing it so much. We were playing really good teams with good defensive linemen. That was good to get in that practice against top players. I got better with my footwork and my hand placement; I needed to work on that from the previous year. This season I did a good job of that.
You did a great job of using your size to block out defensive backs as a receiving threat. What were some of the other areas of your game that became strengths as a receiving target?
I worked on my catching ability and my hands. That is something still kind of new to me since I was not playing receiver before high school. I did not have that experience in the heat of a game or repeatedly going up for contested jump balls, I improved there.
The offseason for the Broncos began in mid-November, what have you been working on from a strength and conditioning standpoint already?
Before the season started, I was super skinny. I was 195 with the same height. The main thing I did was hit it hard in the gym and I increased my calorie intake to put on that weight getting ready for the season. By the time the season started I was ready. With that new weight comes getting used to my body being bigger while keeping my speed and agility. The conditioning helped me get used to it. It worked out well for me during the season.
When were you 195 pounds?
My sophomore year I was 195 pounds. I started putting on weight in March. When COVID hit, I had that opportunity because I was not in baseball; that was cancelled. With that time, I was able to put on weight then.
What have you been working on as that versatile tight end?
Mostly my footwork, my punch, and my get off. After the season, I moved into baseball quickly. To be honest, I am not working on football too much right now. But the main thing for me to work on is my first step and my footwork running routes and what I mentioned before, my footwork, punch, and get off. Those are the main thing since the season ended.
Which other sports do you play for Brophy in addition to football?
Right now, just baseball. I played basketball my freshman and sophomore year, but I did not this year. They were going to cancel the season, but then voted to allow it. I just transitioned to baseball. With them going to cancel the season, it made it easier for me.
Which positions are you playing in baseball?
I am a pitcher. I used to be an outfielder, but as I am getting bigger and more into football, I have focused on being a pitcher.
What kind pitcher are you? What are you throwing?
I throw the basics, a fastball, changeup, and a curve. My best pitch is the curve ball, my changeup is getting better. I am working on it with my dad. I have been working on my grip, windup, and release.
Getting back into football, let’s talk recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
The biggest school showing interest, before Arizona offered, is Washington. They’ve been texting me all the time. They were the first school that came to mind. Another school is Colorado, they’ve been sending me edits. Those are the two main ones.
How many offers do you have now?
I have nine offers.
Which programs were the last couple to offer you?
The last few were U-of-A, UCLA, UNLV, Arizona State, and New Mexico State.
Powell’s Offer Sheet: Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Florida State, Idaho, Iowa State, New Mexico State, UCLA and UNLV
Which program was the first?
It was actually Idaho. Auburn and Idaho offered me at the same time. Coach Jewell told me Idaho got me a little bit quicker than Auburn. That was crazy.
When you can start taking visits again, are there any campuses you’d like to go see?
Yeah, for sure. I really would like to see UCLA. A few years ago, I went to LA, I have family there, but I don’t remember too much about it. We went on the campus. I remember it being super cool. I want to check it out again. When I can, I’d also like to visit the local schools to see how they are, especially since they are not too far away. UNLV, New Mexico State, and Iowa State are some other schools I’d like to visit.
As we near National Signing Day for the 2021 class, as that prospect with a big decision coming in the future, what will you be watching for to see how various teams put together a recruiting class?
For me, it is not about the recruiting rankings. The main thing for me are the guys a team is recruiting; the guys I will play with at tight end and on the offensive line. I will look at the guys I will be supporting as the tight end. That excites me. The tight end wants to be close with offensive linemen and the quarterbacks. Those are the main things I will be looking at. If the team is signing offensive players, that is a good sign for me.
Tyler, I enjoyed getting time in with you today. Wishing you success with your baseball season and your offseason football workouts.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Powell family; Tyler Powell