Tyvis Powell to Cleveland Browns: Proof Kids Should Stay in School?

Tyvis Powell was picked up on waivers by the Cleveland Browns.

Tyvis Powell is returning to Ohio to play football, but this time he won’t be playing for championships like he did when he was a star safety for Ohio State. No, he will be playing for the Cleveland Browns. Isn’t that proof that kids should stay in school?

Powell left Ohio State with a year of eligibility left. He red-shirted his freshman year, so as a junior it was his fourth year of college and he had already graduated. He thought it was time to move on.

Because of Powell’s exceptional play for the Buckeyes, along with his size and athletic ability, he was certain to be drafted by an NFL team, right? Surprisingly that didn’t happen.

Fortunately for Powell he was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. That appeared to be a great situation as he was going to a team that emphasized defense.

He could learn from the veterans with no pressure on him and eventually work his way into the starting lineup. But that didn’t happen either. Powell played mostly on special teams and was waived before the playoffs began to make room for a return man.

After the Super Bowl, teams were allowed to begin making offseason moves. The Cleveland Browns jumped right into the fray and picked Powell off the waiver wire.

At first glance that wouldn’t exactly seem to be a good situation for the former Buckeye. Seriously, picked up by a 1-15 team? However, it may actually be one of the best things could have happened to the young man. And possibly for the Browns as well.

First, Powell is going back to play for his hometown team. Raised in Bedford, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, imagine how much fun it would be to play for your hometown team.

Second, while the Seahawk’s defense was one of the best in the NFL, the Browns’ defense was one of the league’s worst. That should open up opportunities for Powell to see playing time.

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As far as the Browns are concerned, are they finally going to bring in former Buckeyes to get back to winning ways? In their glory years, the Cleveland Browns relied heavily on Ohio State players. I’m not old enough to remember the Paul Brown days, but I do remember the Buckeye greats who played for the Browns when I started following football in 1968.

Paul Warfield, one of the greatest wide receivers ever to play the game, was catching passes from QB Bill Nelson. Offensive lineman Dick Schafrath was opening holes for Leroy Kelly, the greatest mud runner in league history. And linebacker Jim Houston was leading coach Blanton Collier’s outstanding “bend but don’t break” defense. All three Buckeyes were All-Pros.

By bringing Powell in, could it be that the Cleveland Browns are now paying attention to Ohio State players again? Could it possibly have something to do with the 12 Buckeyes drafted last year and how well several of those players performed as rookies?

If Powell makes the roster, and the Browns resign Terrelle Pryor, that will make two Buckeyes on the team. Everyone has to start somewhere don’t they? Then, maybe Cleveland will pick one or two Ohio State players in this year’s draft?

Must Read: Ohio State Recruiting Round-Up: Wyatt Davis

Anyway, I just hope things work out well for Tyvis Powell in Cleveland. I hope he makes the roster, earns a starting job at some point, and somehow brings a winning attitude to the Browns.