Former Clemson wide receiver Cornell Powell is back on the open market after a brief return to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh released Powell as part of its roster cuts ahead of the NFL’s 53-man deadline. The former Tiger had signed with the Steelers on Aug. 10, returning to an organization that previously carried him on its practice squad during the 2025 season.
Powell entered the NFL as a fifth-round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 181 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons on Kansas City’s practice squad and appeared in three games during the 2022 season while collecting two Super Bowl rings with the franchise.
His professional career has also included stops with the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans
before returning to spring football.
Powell put together a strong 2026 season with the UFL’s DC Defenders, leading the team with 34 receptions and 491 receiving yards during the regular season. He added one touchdown, highlighted by a one-handed 12-yard score on May 2, and finished sixth across the league in receiving yards. Powell recorded another five catches for 68 yards over two postseason games.
The former Clemson standout also helped the Defenders capture the UFL championship in 2025 while leading the league with seven touchdown receptions. He followed that performance by earning 2026 UFL Sportsman of the Year honors.
Clemson's Cade Klubnik learns Jets roster status, depth chart ranking
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Powell’s Clemson career was highlighted by a breakout final season in 2020. After entering the year with only 40 career catches, he emerged as one of the Tigers’ top receiving threats and earned third-team All-ACC recognition.
He finished his Clemson career with 93 receptions for 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns across 54 games, including 12 starts. Powell was also part of one of the most successful stretches in program history, helping Clemson win five ACC championships, reach five College Football Playoffs and appear in three national championship games while winning two national titles from 2016-20.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Former Clemson wide receiver released by NFL team shortly after signing
