Part Cornelius, Part Dunlap?

Just when you thought you've seen all the freaks, in steps Ronald Powell, a five star DE and genetic powerball winner. Powell reportedly ran house at Friday Night Lights in the 'Ville last week. Powell is 6'4" 230lbs of pure, unadulterated, Grade A freak show. He runs a 4.59 40, jumps 37' high, and can bench 355 and squat 500. Watch some video of this kid here.

According to the Alligator, Powell was the only one shirtless during the camp and spent most of his time chilling with the Overlord. Don't really know the significance of Powell being the only one with his shirt off, but I guess it means he's very muscular?

Rivals has him with "medium" interest in every big name program in the country, but Rivals also has him as never visiting Gainesville, which is inaccurate because his FNL visit is the second time he's traveled to Gainesville. Many, many schools are courting Powell, and while signing day is more than 6 months away, the fact that he flew across the country to visit the National Champions twice is promising.

Powell is versatile. His size will limit what positions he'll play (maybe end or tight end as the Alligator article says), but one thing is sure, whichever position he plays, he'll do it well. Presently, at TE the Gators have Hernandez, who you know is surely out to the NFL after this year; Desmond Parks, a freshman who showed he was very athletic in the spring but not strong, at least not yet (i.e. more of a pass catching TE and not a complete TE because he can’t really block like a TE needs to). In next year’s incoming class, the Champs have this kid Gerald Christian who took home MVP honors at this past Saturday’s Grid Iron camp (that’s the one put together by ESPN the Saturday after FNL). I think in all honesty if Christian pans out like he should they may just be giving Powell lip service about letting him play TE. He will likely be used on the D-Line which is not only more of a position of needs for us (again, if Parks and Gerald Christian pan out) but also for a freak like Powell, could be more of a high impact position. This kid has his whole senior year left and then whatever the Gator coaches put him through as far as strength and conditioning in college, I think he packs on some more pounds and ends up being a killer DE and drifts away from the TE position. Although who knows, if he’s that good we may have him go both ways .

The last Florida Gator player to play both ways was Billy Latsko, who played offense, defense, and special teams against Wyoming (W, 32-14) in 2005, which incidentally was also the Overlord's first game as the Gators' head coach. Before then, the last player to play both ways in a game was Keiwan Ratliff against Florida State in 2002. I can't find who was the last player to start at two positions on both sides of the ball for multiple games. I probably can't find it because it likely happened before the internet was invented. In any case, the idea of a player being capable of playing on both sides of the ball in modern SEC football is shocking and unprecedented to my knowledge. This kid is special, and not shortbus special.

Go Get Tickets to the Freakshow.
Go Gators.