Sports
Pinellas Park's Jeremi Powell Quick on the Football Field, Quick With Decisions
When the Patriots stud linebacker was invited to Florida's junior day, it took him just a few minutes to decide where he will play college football.
With his blazing speed, it doesn't take long for Pinellas Park's Jeremi Powell to get started.
So it is not much of a surprised to learn that Powell's decision on where to play college football was quick as well. On the University of Florida's recent Junior Day, where high school juniors are wooed about the virtue of the Gators, Powell was sold almost immediately.
"The coaches showed me a lot of love," Powell said about Will Muschamp's coaching staff. "They showed me around before the rest [of the group]. They wanted me in extra early."
And Powell rewarded the Gators coaching staff with an early verbal commitment. Though a gifted athlete, Powell will likely play linebacker.
"I just fit in right away like I was already there [as a student]," Powell said. "They made me feel like I was part of the family."
But most of all, Powell was won over by the Gators new coach, Muschamp.
"We sat down in the room and he told me how everything was," Powell said. "He was not telling me I would start. But he told me I would have to compete. That is the best thing, competition. He is into that and I am a guy who likes to compete.
"You have to battle every day and that is the best part. That is good. You have to push yourself so you won't be lazy."
Powell, who still has a season to play for the Patriots, could add to his bruising 6-2, 200-pound frame. He already runs a 4.41 minute, 40-yard dash. As a receiver for Pinellas Park last season, he put up some frightening numbers, especially when factoring in the Patriots played much of the season without their star starting quarterback Jesse Hevia.
Powell averaged 21 yards per catch.
On defense, Powell racked up 15 sacks and scored two defensive touchdowns.
As far as making his decision to select Florida, Powell doesn't believe he rushed his choice.
"Not many people get the opportunity to choose," Powell said. "So when Florida came up, I had other opportunities, but Florida? It's the Gators. I can't pass that up."