We recently had the opportunity to sit down with four-star linebacker and current Ohio State football commit, Gabe Powers. Unlike the fictional Kenny Powers, Gabe is a phenomenal and humble person with a hometown attitude and an old-school style.
“I know my ability, I don’t need to brag to the world, I’m going to show my ability on the field,” Powers told Buckeyes Wire.
The 6-foot, 4-inch, 230-pound Ohio product was gracious enough to let us sit down with him in the Marysville High School weight room with his coverage coach, Ryan Stewart. It should be noted that Stewart has an extensive résumé which includes stops at Boise State and Ohio State as defensive assistant with his specialty being with defensive backs. We discussed a number of topics, but one of the more interesting subjects was discussing which former Ohio State linebacker Powers admires the most.
“Probably, honestly, Chris Spielman. I’ve watched his highlights,” Powers told Buckeyes Wire. I like his toughness — his grit, and the way he plays, you know it always come down to toughness. That’s also what I pride myself in. I’m a tough, blue-collar kid and that’s what I really admire.”
Typically when tasked with finding a favorite Buckeye, people usually pick someone they were alive to see, but Powers had a more unique take citing Chris Spielman as his favorite. Spielman’s last season in the NFL was before Powers was even born, but with his family history the answer is not surprising at all.
Powers’ father is not only a linebacker coach, but was a former All-American at Findlay before earning a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys and raised his son on Spielman film. It almost brings a tear to your eye as an Ohio raised linebacker with football bloodlines and an old-school humble mentality talks about the linebacking greats from yesteryear.
Ohio State LB Commit Gabe Powers highlight mix (4 ⭐️ 2022) @NoxiousOddity @GabePowers21 @BennettC87 @CoachWash56 https://t.co/taMLlAA1mS
— Stroud 🦦 (@StroudHeisman) May 22, 2021
And there are some similarities there. Powers is cut out of a little different cloth than most kids these days. His favorite pastime is not playing video games but rather fishing. He has social media, but doesn’t really see many benefits in using it that much. He seems like a high character kid that spends most of his time working on his craft rather than working on his brand.
Powers is much taller than Spielman, but has the same type of sideline to sideline athleticism, and as Ryan Stewart also mentions in the interview, a more recent comparison to Gabe Powers is James Laurinaitis. This comparison maybe even more appropriate considering Laurinaitis has a more similar body type and athleticism.
“I think that the linebacker that reminds me the most of Gabe, that like I’ve met him and he’s a nice guy,” Stewart Said “But just like their physical build and how they play is James Laurinaitis … could run, cover.”
Gabe Powers is a BEAST. https://t.co/jciwp8XguP
— O-H❗️I-O❗️🌰 (@aiden_bowles) May 19, 2021
That may be, but we couldn’t help but think about how much Chris Spielman was in Powers’ attitude, work ethic, and outlook on the game of football as we sat in the gym and talked to him. And, you know what number he wears? That’s right, the No. 36.
We’ll have more on Powers and our interview with him in the coming days, but it’s been awhile since Ohio State has had a great linebacker like the Spielman and Laurinaitis. Could Powers be a guy similar to those two? Time will tell, but if his play on the field is anything like his character off of it, there’s a good chance Buckeye Nation is going to fall in love with the kid that has the right attitude to become a fan favorite.
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