Former Clemson WR Cornell Powell reaches UFL title game

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Former Clemson receiver Cornell Powell is within arm's reach of yet another championship to add to his prestigious resume.

Powell and the DC Defenders advanced to the 2026 United Bowl with a 28-22 upset win over the Orlando Storm on Sunday at Daytona Stadium. Orlando had been one of the league’s best teams during the regular season, but DC, which entered the postseason at 5-5, found a way to hand the Storm just their third loss of the year.

Powell was not the entire story of the game, but he was part of the winning formula. The former Clemson receiver caught two passes for 28 yards in the victory, helping the Defenders move one step away from another UFL championship.

This has become a pretty steady second act for Powell. During the regular season, he finished among the league’s top receiving threats with 34 catches for 491 yards and a touchdown. That followed a 2025 campaign where he scored seven regular-season touchdowns and added another in DC’s first UFL championship run.

Clemson fans remember Powell as one of the better late-development stories of the Dabo Swinney era. After years of waiting behind loaded receiver rooms, Powell broke through in 2020 with 53 catches for 882 yards and seven touchdowns. He was part of five ACC title teams, five College Football Playoff rosters, three national title game appearances, and two national championships during his time at Clemson.

The Defenders will host the Louisville Kings in the 2026 United Bowl on June 13 at Audi Field. Louisville won both regular-season meetings, so DC will have to flip the script again.

Powell has already collected two Super Bowl rings from his time with the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad. Now, he has a chance to add another championship moment to a football career that has never really followed the easy route.

The goal next… BEAT THE KINGS.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Former Clemson receiver Cornell Powell chasing UFL title

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