Florida Football: What does 4-star DE Antwaun Powell bring to table?

Florida football landed one of the best defensive ends in the nation on Wednesday when four-star Antwaun Powell made his decision.

Dan Mullen may have had some issues with his 2019 class, in terms of early enrollees deciding to transfer, but the second-year Florida football coach has been on fire in the 2020 cycle.

The Gators continued that success on the recruiting trail Wednesday with the commitment of four-star defensive end Antwaun Powell, bringing their national ranking to No. 4.

https://twitter.com/TwaunPowell/status/1143965171586686977

Powell chose the Gators over the likes of Georgia Tech, Michigan, Duke, Maryland, Notre Dame, Penn State, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma. Those schools actually made up his top eight back in April before receiving an offer from Florida on May 30 and committing about four weeks later. It’s rare a recruit picks a school outside of his top list, but Powell liked what he saw in the Gators.

So what does Powell bring to the Gators? The video below should provide a good idea.

The Virginia-native has an incredibly quick first step off the snap and can get into the backfield before the opposing quarterback has an opportunity to react. He’s quick for a 6-3, 234-pound end and has room to grow still. He’s aggressive and plays smart without over-pursuing.

While he may not be a day one starter on the Gators’ defense, he could help ease the losses of seniors Jabari Zuniga and Jonathan Greenard. He fits the defense well and adds to the elite, deep group in 2020 and beyond.

Powell is ranked the No. 119 overall prospect and sixth-best weak-side defensive end in the nation, according to 247Sports. He’ll be a name to watch for years to come.