Wharton's Powell commits to Army

Wharton senior linebacker Joshua Powell said Wednesday he has verbally committed to West Point.

Powell, a Times first-team All-County selection, was sold in a visit last fall to West Point, "freezing in the cold and snow," watching a game between Army and Rutgers. Powell, one of the county's hardest hitters, said he'll likely play safety there, and start a potential career in the military, like his stepfather, Colonel Scott Rey, who is stationed in Tampa.

"I've always considered military as a career," Powell said. "Really the tradition of the school hit me hard. I met a lot of graduates from West Point, some I met at random, and talking to them about their experience, they've never had a negative thing to say. They've all said it's like a brotherhood, a fraternity.

"Everything just felt right."

The 6-foot-1, 195 pound senior also received interest from Elon and FAU.

Powell has several teammates who could be up for big weekends, recruiting-wise. LaDre Watkins will visit FAU and Elon this weekend, Wildcats coach David Mitchell, who said he believes Elon will offer Wadkins.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com