Jerraud Powers
Encyclopedia
Jerraud Powers is an American football
cornerback
for the Indianapolis Colts
of the National Football League
. He was drafted
by the Colts in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft
after declaring following his junior year. He played college football
at Auburn
.
and was an all-state player
He was named All-Region his senior year and was rated a 3-Star prospect and the #13 player in the state of Alabama by scout.com. Rivals.com rated Powers the #8 player in Alabama following his senior season.
. Powers also made a name for himself by blocking Eric Wilbur
's third quarter punt in a home game against the eventual national champion Florida Gators
. As a sophomore, Powers earned a starting
spot at cornerback and played the entire season. He was selected to the Southeastern Conference
All-Freshman Team on a pass defense that rated second in the SEC this season.
Award, presented each year to Auburn's Defensive Player of the Year. Jerraud Powers is also remembered as the cornerback covering LSU receiver Demetrius Byrd
on his one-handed touchdown grab with one second remaining in the 2007 Auburn-LSU game. Powers also received a lot of attention from ESPN
when an Auburn police dog bit Powers hand after a play in the 2007 Iron Bowl
. The incident prompted a review of security procedures at Auburn.
was considered a key to the big game. Powers was impressive early in the season, leading Auburn to a shutout in the season opener. However, Powers played with an injured hamstring and struggled through much of the season. Powers was just one of many injured players on Auburn's 2008 football team, Auburn finished with a disappointing 5-7 record and missed the postseason for the first time this decade. Powers was interviewed by Opelika and Auburn TV After the season, Powers decided to forgo his senior season at Auburn and enter the 2009 NFL Draft
.
in the third round. He signed with the Colts on July 28, 2009, for a 4-year contract.
Powers began the 2009 season as a starter due to injuries to Marlin Jackson
, and went on to start 12 of 16 games for the Colts. Despite injuries to three of the Colts' projected Defensive Backfield starters, Powers (along with fellow rookie Jacob Lacey
) played well enough to put the Colts' pass defense at third in the league in Yards/Attempt. Powers recorded 66 tackles and an interception. On December 7, 2010 he was placed on season ending injury reserve due to an arm injury.
In 2010, Powers played in 10 games, starting all of them. Powers had 53 tackles and 2 interceptions. On November 6, 2011, Powers had a pick six against Matt Ryan
of the Atlanta Falcons
. This was his first career touchdown. The Colts lost the game, 7-31.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
by the Colts in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
after declaring following his junior year. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
.
Early years
Powers attended Decatur High SchoolDecatur High School (Alabama)
Decatur High School is a public high school in Decatur, Alabama, United States. It is one of two high schools in the Decatur City School District. Decatur High offers technical, academic, and International Baccalaureate programs, as well as dual enrollment with the John C...
and was an all-state player
He was named All-Region his senior year and was rated a 3-Star prospect and the #13 player in the state of Alabama by scout.com. Rivals.com rated Powers the #8 player in Alabama following his senior season.
2006 season
Powers broke his foot during preseason workouts and it appeared at the time that he would have only a small chance to get on the field, but he was able to play. Powers earned playing time on special teams as a freshman. Powers recovered a critical onside kick in Auburn's 24-17 win over South CarolinaSouth Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
. Powers also made a name for himself by blocking Eric Wilbur
Eric Wilbur
Eric Wilbur is an American professional football player who is a punter for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League . Wilbur played college football for the University of Florida...
's third quarter punt in a home game against the eventual national champion Florida Gators
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
. As a sophomore, Powers earned a starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
spot at cornerback and played the entire season. He was selected to the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
All-Freshman Team on a pass defense that rated second in the SEC this season.
2007 season
Powers had a very successful 2007 season and received the Zeke SmithZeke Smith
Roger Duane "Zeke" Smith is a former American football player in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants. He played college football at Auburn University where he was awarded the Outland Trophy in 1958...
Award, presented each year to Auburn's Defensive Player of the Year. Jerraud Powers is also remembered as the cornerback covering LSU receiver Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
on his one-handed touchdown grab with one second remaining in the 2007 Auburn-LSU game. Powers also received a lot of attention from ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
when an Auburn police dog bit Powers hand after a play in the 2007 Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
. The incident prompted a review of security procedures at Auburn.
2008 season
Powers returned for his junior season with high expectations after an impressive sophomore season. His matchup against Florida's wing right Percy HarvinPercy Harvin
William Percival "Percy" Harvin, III is an American football wide receiver, return specialist, and running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League...
was considered a key to the big game. Powers was impressive early in the season, leading Auburn to a shutout in the season opener. However, Powers played with an injured hamstring and struggled through much of the season. Powers was just one of many injured players on Auburn's 2008 football team, Auburn finished with a disappointing 5-7 record and missed the postseason for the first time this decade. Powers was interviewed by Opelika and Auburn TV After the season, Powers decided to forgo his senior season at Auburn and enter the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
.
Pre-draft
Powers was projected to be a possible NFL draft pick. Powers was rated 14 out of 239 cornerbacks and 110 out of 2,497 total players evaluated.Indianapolis Colts
Despite being considered a prospect for a lower round, Jerraud was drafted by the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
in the third round. He signed with the Colts on July 28, 2009, for a 4-year contract.
Powers began the 2009 season as a starter due to injuries to Marlin Jackson
Marlin Jackson
-Indianapolis Colts:Jackson was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 29th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft. As an NFL rookie he had 52 tackles and one interception. Marlin played mostly in passing situations with one start in 15 games. In his second season, he had 82 tackles and 1...
, and went on to start 12 of 16 games for the Colts. Despite injuries to three of the Colts' projected Defensive Backfield starters, Powers (along with fellow rookie Jacob Lacey
Jacob Lacey
Jacob Lacey is an American football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
) played well enough to put the Colts' pass defense at third in the league in Yards/Attempt. Powers recorded 66 tackles and an interception. On December 7, 2010 he was placed on season ending injury reserve due to an arm injury.
In 2010, Powers played in 10 games, starting all of them. Powers had 53 tackles and 2 interceptions. On November 6, 2011, Powers had a pick six against Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
of the Atlanta Falcons
Falcons
There are several sports teams with the name Falcons or similar:* Atlanta Falcons, an NFL football team* Springfield Falcons, an American Hockey League team* Falcons , a South African rugby team who play in the Currie Cup...
. This was his first career touchdown. The Colts lost the game, 7-31.