There’s one message that Tyreem Powell has for his younger teammates that seems to resonate even more in his final weeks in a Rutgers uniform.
In fact, it’s a message that junior Dariel Djabome said Wednesday will always stick with him.
“You got to bet on yourself, right?” Djabome said.
While Djabome has become the next linebacker to emerge as a game-changing defender for the Scarlet Knights, Powell has been the unit’s consistent leader who has overcome one bad-luck injury after the next to cement his place in Rutgers lore. At this point, Powell has already known what it feels like to have an opportunity to play in the National Football League get wiped out by injury.
“He’s just been a great example for the whole room,” Djabome said. “You got to be able to get over whatever obstacles get put in front of you and jump over the fence because there’s going to be greener grass. He’s been a great example because he’s just kept digging and digging.”
That’s why his decision for the upcoming Rate Bowl will be an important one: Will Powell play against Kansas State on Dec. 26 and risk another injury setback? As of Wednesday, the linebacker said he’s still working through some conversations behind the scenes but said he will come to a decision soon.
Powell’s draft stock peaked last season when every scout coming to Piscataway wanted insight on the 6-foot-5 linebacker who could run sideline to sideline, according to coach Greg Schiano. By Schiano’s estimation, Powell was on pace to be a top-50 pick in the NFL Draft, but a wrist injury ended what was shaping up to be one of the best defensive seasons by a Rutgers player in years.
Bad luck continued. After undergoing surgery on his wrist, Powell tore his Achilles tendon during a routine winter workout, delaying his return to the field another seven months. The two injury setbacks sent Powell to a tough place mentally, but he vowed to return to his previous form.
“That was a long process in the offseason, and I’m glad I had them beside me the whole time because they kept telling me ‘don’t stop and just keep going and get back to where I was,’” Powell said Wednesday. “Then, I was dealing with some small injuries throughout the season. If it wasn’t for my teammates, I don’t where I would have ended up. They definitely pushed me. I just wanted to be out there with them and give it my all. They were a big part of me being out there.”
Coming into bowl season, Powell continues to be an intriguing NFL prospect. The Athletic listed Powell as one of 10 prospects to watch in games outside of the College Football Playoff. He’s also set to participate in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on Feb. 1.
Whether it’s the Rate Bowl or Senior Bowl, Powell said it’s not just about boosting his draft stock.
“I wouldn’t say it’s just about getting my draft stock up. It’s just a great opportunity,” Powell said. “It puts me in position to excel at the next level and let scouts and everybody else view me and see how I am healthy.”
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Patrick Lanni may be reached at planni@njadvancemedia.com.
