Lonny Powell Joins Cal Football

Information, photo submitted by Cal Athletics:

Head coach Sonny Dykes announced Tuesday that running back Lonny Powell has signed a financial aid agreement with Cal and has joined the school’s football program as a mid-year enrollee. Powell was a prep All-American who played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl® after his 2014 senior season at Sacramento High School.

“We’re excited about Lonny and his future at Cal, and we’re excited that he is a part of our program. Lonny has done a great job in being able to graduate early from high school. He is coming to Cal as a running back but is a unique athlete who was a really productive player on both sides of the football in high school. Lonny brings toughness, strength and a strong work ethic to our program.”

“I chose Cal for several reasons. I looked at all of the running backs that have come out of Cal with many now in the NFL and some with rings. I also liked the academic side of Cal, want to study business and am looking forward to getting into business school. Being close to my home in Sacramento also factored into my decision because I have a lot of friends and family that would like to see me play in college and it’s exciting to know that they can easily come here to watch me.”

Powell, who is expected to start his Cal career as a running back, played three seasons of varsity football from 2012-14 with his teams combining for a 29-9 overall mark and an 18-3 Metropolitan League record. On offense, he posted career totals of 1,763 rushing yards on 185 carries for a 9.8 yard average and 19 TDs over 38 games, while adding 1,068 receiving yards on 62 catches and 19 TD receptions. Over his final two seasons on defense, he totaled 213 tackles, 74.0 tackles for loss, 45.0 sacks (-304 yards), two interceptions that he returned 30 yards, three pass breakups, seven fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles and 27 quarterback hurries

Powell earned All-Sac-Joaquin Section, first-team All-Metro (Sacramento Bee) and Metropolitan League Defensive Player of the Year honors as a 2014 senior in addition to his Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl® selection. His defensive stats from a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position were highlighted by totals of 22.0 sacks, 36.0 tackles for loss and 95 tackles. He also added 969 all-purpose yards on offense for a team that finished 10-3 overall and reached the semifinals of the Division III Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, rushing 65 times for 555 yards and seven touchdowns while making 20 catches for 414 yards and 10 scores.

Powell posted his biggest prep numbers on both offense (85 carries, 951 rushing yards, 10 TD; 1,206 all-purpose yards) and defense (118 tackles, 23.0 sacks, 38.0 TFL) as a 2013 junior when he was a second-team All-State Underclass selection by Cal-Hi Sports and earned the first of back-to-back Metropolitan League Defensive Player of the Year honors for a team that finished 11-3 overall and reached the finals of the section playoffs.

The regular signing period kicks off with 2015 National Signing Day on February 4 and runs through April 1.