By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
The list of schools interested in Russell Powell’s services weren’t exactly national championship contenders.
Air Force, Birmingham-Southern, Lambeth, North Alabama and Jacksonville State all talked to the former Hartselle standout center.
He spurned all offers for a chance to play footabll in the Southeastern Conference.
Powell will report to Auburn in the fall as an invited walk-on. He had already planned on attending Auburn in the fall.
Invited walk-ons are different than general walk-ons. They have the same benefits and practice schedules as varsity players.
Powell plans to major in engineering, a field that the other schools interested in his services didn’t offer.
Auburn became interested in Powell after watching film from his senior season, when the Tigers’ center anchored a line that was among the state’s best.
Auburn needed more offensive linemen after losing a large group to graduation this spring.
Powell’s journey to Auburn doesn’t fulfill a dream to step on the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium. He grew up a Tennessee Volunteers fan.
That will change when he puts on the Auburn uniform for the first fall practice, however. “I’m a Tennessee fan, but I’m not die-hard or anything,” Powell said. “I’ve just always been an SEC fan. Any SEC team, I’m for.
Powell has gotten plenty of insight on the life of a walk-on from former Brewer standout Chris Humphries, who will be a redshirt freshman for the Tigers this fall.
Powell might find himself in a different position after four years as a starting center at Hartselle. The Tigers’ coaches have talked to him about working in as a blocking back.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com