RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesCornell Powell’s strong run in the UFL has helped open another NFL door.
The former Clemson receiver is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers after the team added him to its training camp roster on Monday. Powell is already familiar with the organization after spending time on Pittsburgh’s practice squad last season.
His return comes after putting together two productive years with the DC Defenders.
Powell helped DC capture the UFL championship in 2025 while leading the league with seven touchdown receptions. He followed that up by becoming the Defenders’ top target during the 2026 regular season, finishing with a team-high 34 catches and 491 receiving yards.
That yardage total was good for sixth in the UFL. Powell also produced one of his biggest highlights of the season on May 2, pulling down a one-handed touchdown from 12 yards out. He later added 68 yards on five receptions during DC’s two postseason games.
His performance went beyond what he did on the field. Powell was also selected as the UFL Sportsman of the Year for 2026.
Pittsburgh represents the latest chapter in a professional career that began five years ago.
The Kansas City Chiefs used the No. 181 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft to take Powell in the fifth round. Although most of his time in Kansas City was spent on the practice squad, he appeared in three games in 2022 and was part of a franchise that won consecutive Super Bowls.
Powell has since had opportunities with the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans before previously landing with the Steelers.
Long before his professional journey took him through multiple leagues and organizations, Powell was part of Clemson ’s championship run under Dabo Swinney.
He played for the Tigers from 2016 through 2020, a five-year stretch that included five ACC championships, five College Football Playoff appearances and two national titles.
Clemson star receiver Bryant Wesco is ready to go after neck injury 📸 Alex Martin/Greenville News, Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images https://t.co/DSTajIjafu pic.twitter.com/vhpPqeeYVa
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) August 10, 2026 Powell had to wait until the end of his Clemson career for his biggest role. He entered his final season with only 40 catches and 329 receiving yards to his name before breaking through in 2020.
By the time his college career was finished, Powell had increased those totals to 93 receptions, 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns across 54 appearances. His final season also earned him third-team All-ACC recognition.
After working his way back onto the NFL radar through the UFL, Powell will now try to turn his latest opportunity in Pittsburgh into a spot with the Steelers.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Former Clemson standout wide receiver gets another shot in the NFL
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