Ronald Powell

Ronald Fredrick Powell (May 14, 1991 – January 15, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators. He was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Early life
A native of Moreno Valley, California, Powell attended Rancho Verde High School, where he played defensive end, linebacker and tight end. In his senior season, he totaled over 80 tackles, 13 sacks and 28 tackles for losses on defense, while averaging over 15 yards per catch on offense. He was named a High School All-American by USA Today, Parade and EA Sports. He was selected to play in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he was voted MVP.

Regarded as a five-star college recruit by Rivals.com, Powell was listed as the No. 1 prospect (regardless of position) in the class of 2010.

College career
Powell accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he was a member of coach Urban Meyer and coach Will Muschamp's Florida Gators football teams from 2010 to 2013. As a freshman in 2010, he played in 13 games and made one start. In his sophomore year, he became a regular starter for the Gators, playing and starting in 12 games. In an injury-plagued junior year, he tore his left ACL two different times, first in the spring Orange and Blue game, and again during rehabilitation. For the 2012 season, he earned a medical redshirt. In 2013, Powell played in 11 games and started in eight.

New Orleans Saints
Powell was listed as the 15th-ranked OLB and projected to be a fifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints drafted Powell with the 169th overall pick. He played in 14 games during the 2014 season. The Saints released him on September 1, 2015; after he cleared waivers, he was placed on the Saints' injured reserve list.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Powell was signed to the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 4, 2015.

Chicago Bears
On September 21, 2016, Powell was signed to the Bears' practice squad.

Seattle Seahawks
On December 13, 2016, Powell was signed by the Seahawks off the Bears' practice squad.

On August 10, 2017, Powell was waived/injured by the Seahawks and placed on injured reserve. He was released on August 16, 2017.

Orlando Apollos
In 2018, Powell signed with the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football for the 2019 season. He was placed on the waived/injured list on January 9, 2019. The league ceased operations in April 2019.

Death
Powell died on January 15, 2024, at the age of 32.