There is a lot of excitement for the Bears football team this season, with fresh faces on the Stripes, including a top three Football Championship Subdivision transfer and running back ShunDerrick Powell.
Powell, a junior from Hoxie, Arkansas, played his previous two years at the University of North Alabama where he had a record-breaking career in a Lions uniform.
Last season, he broke North Alabama’s record for single-season rushing yards (1,508) and rushing touchdowns (18).
He rushed for over 100 yards in seven games last season and for over 200 yards in four games, and received other awards such as being a member of the FCS All-American team. He was Hero Sports Sophomore All-American, a Walter Payton Award finalist and the FCS Offensive Player of the Year.
Powell said, “It’s a blessing. I just thank God. I’m glad I got the opportunity to do that. I always thank Coach Porter and the University of North Alabama for giving me an opportunity to play.”
Powell reflected on his time at North Alabama and his decision to come play for the Bears.
“I went to North Alabama because of my brother. My brother committed before me, and my Dad told me he always wanted me to play with my brother in college and I committed on his birthday,” Powell said.
“Once I got in the transfer portal, my phone started blowing up that night and it was ringing for about four or five days. I had a lot of schools hit me up: Kansas State, Arkansas, and others.”
When UCA came around Powell said wanted to “go back home.”
The Bears already have one of the three finalists in the Buck Buchanan FCS Defensive Player of the Year award, junior defensive end David Walker.
Powell will join an already high-powered offense led by senior quarterback, Will McElvain, running backs junior Darius Hale and junior Kylin James, receivers senior Jarrod Barnes and sophomore Myles Butler.
Powell said it was a blessing to be out there with those guys, and that they work together to make each other better.
“It’s a blessing. We got a lot of weapons. Just blessed,” Powell said.
Powell said the one thing people need to know how his style of play is that he will be a “workhorse.”
“Every time I get on the field, I’m always thinking touchdown. That is the only thing I’m thinking. I don’t wanna be stopped so I do anything I can to try and get a touchdown,” he said.
Powell said he is adjusting to his new home in Conway, “Classes are going well. I like all of my professors. I haven’t gotten used to the roundabouts yet.
“I’m majoring in sports management and after college, I wanna get to the NFL and if that doesn’t work then I’m going to go into coaching and help others reach their dreams and get them to the next level.”
Powell will support the UCA Bears football team during their first home game on the Stripes Sept. 9, hosting Texas College at 6 p.m.