Former Clemson University wide receiver Cornell Powell was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, August 28, as the team began making roster adjustments ahead of the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline. Powell is now seeking his next professional football opportunity.
Powell’s departure from the Steelers follows a productive 2026 season with the DC Defenders in the UFL, where he recorded 34 receptions for 491 yards and one touchdown. He was also recognized as the UFL Sportsman of the Year, contributing to the Defenders reaching the United Bowl for the second consecutive season.
In 2025, Powell was a top scoring threat in the UFL, leading the league with seven touchdown passes. He amassed 418 yards on 29 receptions over nine games that year, helping the Defenders secure the United Bowl championship.
Powell appeared in the Steelers’ preseason games this summer, catching three passes for 23 yards in their 28-27 loss to Buffalo. These were his only receptions during the three exhibition games before his release.
His NFL career began when the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Powell spent three years with the Chiefs organization, primarily on the practice squad, and played in three games during the 2022 season. He was also part of two Super Bowl championship teams in Kansas City.
Powell’s professional resume also includes stints with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was on the practice squad in 2024, and the Houston Texans during the 2025 offseason, before joining the Steelers’ practice squad.
Before his professional journey, Powell played five seasons for the Clemson Tigers. He concluded his college career with 93 receptions for 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns across 54 games, making 12 starts and logging 1,207 snaps.
