William Powell

William Powell is an American professional football running back born on March 9, 1988, in Houston, Texas, and raised in Duncanville. A 2006 graduate of Duncanville High School, Powell played college football at Navarro Junior College and Kansas State University, where he led the nation in kickoff return average before a toe injury ended his senior season.

Despite going undrafted in 2011, Powell signed with the Arizona Cardinals, later spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and Detroit Lions. He found greater success in the Canadian Football League (CFL), playing for the Ottawa Redblacks and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He led the CFL in rushing touchdowns in 2019 and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in multiple seasons. Known for his consistency and resilience, Powell built a decade-long pro career across two leagues.

Navarro College & Kansas State Wildcats (College Career)
William Powell began his college football career at Navarro Junior College, where he became the starting running back in 2008. That year, he led the team in rushing yards (937), touchdowns (8), and carries (139), with an impressive 6.7 yards per carry average. His performance earned him a transfer to Kansas State University, where he contributed initially on special teams.

At Kansas State, Powell became second on the running back depth chart behind Daniel Thomas. He also served as the team’s primary kickoff returner, leading the nation with a 34.5-yard average. His college career was cut short by a toe injury sustained against the Texas Longhorns, ending his final season early after scoring four rushing touchdowns.

NFL & CFL Career (Professional Career)
Undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, Powell signed with the Arizona Cardinals, where he worked his way onto the active roster in 2012, finishing the season with 217 rushing yards. He later had brief stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and Detroit Lions, though he did not find long-term stability in the NFL.

Powell found his greatest success in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He signed with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2015, eventually becoming the team’s starting running back. Despite missing the 2016 season due to injury, he returned strong, rushing for over 1,000 yards in both 2017 and 2018. He later joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he led the league with 12 rushing touchdowns in 2019 and continued to perform at a high level through the 2021 season.

Powell returned to Ottawa in 2022 for a final CFL stint. Known for his consistency, patience as a runner, and pass-catching ability, Powell built a decade-long professional football career across both major North American leagues.

William Powell’s international football career is defined by his success in the Canadian Football League (CFL). After limited opportunities in the NFL, Powell joined the Ottawa Redblacks in 2015, marking the beginning of his professional career outside the United States. He quickly made an impact, becoming the team's starting running back and delivering strong performances, including a franchise-record 187 rushing yards in a single game.

Powell later signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he led the CFL in rushing touchdowns in 2019 and recorded over 1,000 rushing yards in multiple seasons. His performance in Canada earned him recognition as one of the league’s top running backs during his tenure. Powell’s time in the CFL demonstrated his adaptability and resilience, allowing him to extend his professional career while contributing significantly to teams outside the U.S. He remains a notable example of an American athlete finding sustained success on the international stage.

Position: Running Back

• William Powell plays as a running back, a key offensive position responsible for advancing the ball on the ground, receiving short passes, and providing blocking support. The running back must demonstrate vision, speed, balance, and durability to consistently gain yards and contribute to the team's offensive rhythm.

Skills

• Vision and Patience: Powell is known for his ability to read defences and patiently wait for running lanes to develop. His field awareness allows him to identify gaps quickly and make effective decisions at the line of scrimmage.
• Agility and Balance: He possesses strong lateral quickness and balance, enabling him to change direction fluidly and avoid tackles in tight spaces. This agility has been a crucial factor in his ability to navigate crowded backfields and create extra yardage after contact.
• Power and Durability: Though not the biggest back on the field, Powell runs with determination and can absorb hits while maintaining forward momentum. His durability has been evident throughout his CFL career, especially during seasons with high carry volumes.
• Pass-Catching Ability: Powell is a versatile back who contributes in the passing game. He reliably catches out of the backfield and can extend plays as a check-down option for quarterbacks, adding depth to the offence.
• Consistency: Over multiple CFL seasons, Powell consistently posted strong rushing numbers, including multiple 1,000-yard seasons. His dependable output earned him a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable running backs.
• Professionalism and Resilience: After going undrafted and cycling through several NFL teams, Powell’s ability to reinvent himself in the CFL speaks to his work ethic and mental toughness. He is respected for his persistence and steady performance across both American and Canadian football leagues.

William O. Powell II was born on March 9, 1988, in Houston, Texas, and moved with his family to Dallas when he was about one year old. He grew up in a close-knit household as the middle child between two sisters, Brittanye and Jasmyn, and is the son of the late Darla S. Powell, who played a significant role in his upbringing.

Powell attended Duncanville High School, where he graduated in 2006 and developed his athletic talents, particularly in football. His early experiences in Texas football culture helped shape his identity both on and off the field. Known for his quiet determination and discipline, Powell carried those values into his college and professional career.

Despite setbacks during his journey, such as going undrafted and facing injuries, Powell remained committed to his goals. His resilience and work ethic have earned him respect across both the NFL and CFL. Off the field, Powell is known for his humility and team-first mindset. Though he has maintained a low public profile, he is admired by teammates and coaches for his leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the game.

William Powell's legacy is defined by resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence across two major football leagues. From his early days at Duncanville High School to his professional achievements in the NFL and CFL, Powell has exemplified what it means to forge a career through perseverance and hard work.

As a running back who went undrafted in the NFL, Powell overcame early career setbacks by continuing to pursue opportunities, eventually becoming a standout performer in the Canadian Football League. With multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons, a league-leading 12 rushing touchdowns in 2019, and a franchise record with the Ottawa Redblacks, he proved that success can come through persistence and dedication, even outside of the NFL spotlight.

For Duncanville High School, Powell stands as a lasting role model: showing that athletes from the program can succeed at the professional level through discipline and determination. His ability to transition across different teams and leagues without losing focus is a reflection of the values instilled by his community and early mentors.

Awards and Recognition

• CFL Rushing Touchdowns Leader (2019) – 12 touchdowns with the Saskatchewan Roughriders
• Over 1,000 Rushing Yards in Three CFL Seasons (2017, 2018, 2019)
• Ottawa Redblacks Franchise Record – Single-Game Rushing Yards (187 yards, 2017)
• Second in CFL Rushing Yards (2017 & 2018), narrowly trailing league leader
• Nation’s Leader in Kickoff Return Average (34.5 yards) – Kansas State, 2010
• Navarro College Rushing Leader (2008) – 937 yards and 8 touchdowns

Professional Achievements in the CFL

• Played for two leading CFL franchises: Ottawa Redblacks and Saskatchewan Roughriders
• Key contributor to multiple playoff runs with Ottawa
• Consistently ranked among the top rushers in the league during peak years
• Known for durability and reliability, logging high carry counts with efficient production
• Helped strengthen the run-first offensive identity of both CFL teams he represented

NFL Career Contributions

• Made first NFL start with the Arizona Cardinals in 2012
• Gained 217 rushing yards during 2012 NFL season
• Member of four NFL teams: Cardinals, Eagles, Texans, Lions
• Built foundation in the NFL before transitioning successfully to the CFL

Leadership and Impact

• Respected for his perseverance after going undrafted and overcoming early injuries
• Recognised by teammates and coaches for professionalism and consistency
• Served as a veteran presence in CFL locker rooms, mentoring younger players
• A role model for athletes from non-Division I colleges and undrafted backgrounds

Legacy and Recognition

• One of the most successful CFL running backs of his era
• Prominent figure among Duncanville High School alumni who reached the professional level
• Symbol of resilience and dedication in North American football
• Often cited in CFL media as an example of American players succeeding internationally

Websites

• NFL: Career statistics and profile from Powell’s time with multiple NFL teams. Available at: https://www.nfl.com/players/william-powell/
• CFL: Official CFL profile and stats across multiple seasons. Available at: https://www.cfl.ca/players/william-powell/
• Ottawa Redblacks: Team information and player updates during Powell’s tenure. Available at: https://www.ottawaredblacks.com
• Saskatchewan Roughriders: Player updates and game summaries. Available at: https://www.riderville.com

Articles

• ESPN: NFL player profile and stats. Available at: https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14532/william-powell
• CFL Newsroom: Reports and game recaps on Powell’s performances in Canada.
• TSN: Features and analysis during Powell’s CFL seasons.
• Bleacher Report: News and roster transactions throughout Powell’s professional career.