Buffs' Powell Gears For Senior Season

BOULDER — Every week, every day, every practice, Colorado running back Christian Powell has a simple reminder for himself:

“This is it.”

There is no next year for Powell with the Buffaloes, no looking into the future and planning for better days.

The future is now for Powell. Any better days in his college career must come over the next four months — a relative blink of an eye for the 6-foot-0, 235-pound senior who this season could become just the second player in history to lead the Buffs in rushing for four consecutive seasons.

“It feels like it went by so fast, but I've been here a long time at the same time,” Powell said earlier this week. “So much has happened, so much has changed — but it's a blessing to be here in this building and attend this university. I'm just looking forward to my last year and going out on a good note.”

A “good note” for Powell would be a winning season and a bowl game. Every player wants to start, wants to put up big numbers, but Powell is every bit sincere when he says, “I want us to win. That would be a good season.”

What's clear is that no matter what happens in terms of statistical production, Powell's influence and impact on this year's team — and those of the next several years — will be significant.

“He's just one of those guys that has a big influence on the players around him,” running backs coach Klayton Adams said. “All the guys respect him in multiple ways. They respect the way that he plays, they respect the way that he carries himself and they respect the the way that he prepares for practice. He is just a great presence.”

Powell — one of 12 members of the Buffs' leadership council for this season — has accepted his role as a leader, partly because he remembers how important such figures were when he was an incoming freshman.

“I was one of those guys who looked up to the seniors, who had questions and they helped,” Powell said. “I want to be that same way. When they need something, I tell them I'm here for them. It doesn't have to be about school, it can be about anything. College is a difficult adjustment, and sometimes you need someone to talk to.”

Powell chuckles when he remembers the wide-eyed looks of some of his freshman teammates soon after their arrival.

“I remember when Patrick (Carr) was first out there and he was trying to learn the playbook,” Powell said. “He seemed like he was getting overwhelmed, and I just told him to relax, to let it come to you. The more you look at it and start repping it, the more you get familiar with it.

“That's the message I'm trying to get across to a lot of the young people.”

Adams said Powell's influence is clear.

“He's not a real vocal guy, but his presence and the way he's able to pull guys aside and explain things to them is really important to our group,” Adams said. “As a coach, you love having someone who's been through it and is willing to work with everyone. It's leadership that makes sure things get done.”

While Powell has led the team in rushing the last three years, his numbers have dropped each season as the Buffs have turned to more and more of a wide-open passing team. Still, with 1,701 yards currently to his name, he has a good chance to become just the 18th player in CU history to rush for 2,000 career yards.

Throughout camp, the Buffs have been spreading the tailback duties between Powell, Phillip Lindsay and Michael Adkins II. There's been no real clear separation between the three, and the coaching staff has indicated that they'll give each a chance until one shows a hot hand in a game. But Powell is listed atop the most recent depth chart, meaning he'll likely get the start in the Sept. 3 season opener at Hawai'i and have that opportunity to roll up some yardage.

No doubt, Powell would like to add to his numbers. He'd like to be only the second player in CU history to lead the team in rushing four times (Rodney Stewart was the first).

But when asked whether he'd have 200 yards or a win in the Buffs' opener, Powell laughed.

"Not even a question," Powell said. "Give me the 'W.' I've been here a long time, and we all want to win this year. When we walk out on that field, the only thing I'll be thinking of is to give it all I've got. That has to be our mentality, every week, every day, every practice. Go all out.

“If we do that, we'll win. That's what matters.”

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu