2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Xavier Powell, QB, Wilkes University

• Name: Xavier Powell
• Position: Quarterback
• College: Wilkes University
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 210
• Twitter: XavierCPowell12
• Instagram: Xpowell9

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2025 NFL Draft?

What makes me a top prospect is that I match up with the best in size and strength. I can make any throw on the field in the pocket or on the run. Can throw 75 yards and 60+ on the run. The quarterback position is evolving now more than ever with dual threats giving offenses the ability to make big plays every play. With my IQ plus athleticism I am one of the best athletes through all divisions at the quarterback position.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

One thing NFL teams should know about me is that I am one of the best dual threat quarterbacks on the market right now. I will be in the NFL one day. I would love for it to be with your team. I am open to playing on any team, location is not a problem for me. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

If I could donate to one cause in the world it would be hunger or homelessness. I also want to travel to Africa one day and support missions of making clean water more accessible for those communities. 

Who was your role model?

My role model is Jesus Christ. There is no one like him. He has saved my life countless times and he continues to save. My hero.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

My favorite NFL team is the Giants. I grew up in New York and my family has loved the Giants, BUT a little secret… I’ve been rooting for the Jets a lot lately. I just love their whole brand and I ponder about which organization I would like to work for. I also have been following the Eagles. #YOU’REWELCOMEFORSAQUON

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

The most underrated teammate at my school is Damian Grullon. He’s my center. If I could, I would choose the whole offensive line. They just do not get enough credit. I make sure I make them feel special by buying them donuts LOL. I couldn’t do my job without them. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is when people do not follow authority. To become a great leader, first,  you must be a great follower. I think it is important to lead a life of integrity for the people looking up to me. I feel I have a mission to lead younger men who look like me into a life of success that does not have to be filled with violence or wrongdoing. You can be a good person and win. 

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite teacher ever is Coach Michael Morano. He was my English teacher but also the Head Football Coach at Arlington High School. He helped me develop my character from a boy to a young man in high school and he is someone I look up to- to this day. 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

Overcoming adversity is something I’ve had to deal with a lot in my life but football has its own story. Growing up, I always knew I would be an NFL football player. I was always the best on the field. In my mind there was nothing that could stop me. Until God had to humble me. In high school I was the starting quarterback. I had two great seasons, was popular, and felt like I was on top of the world. Then I got to Army West Point Prep. Army basic training was one of the hardest times of my life and taught me so much about myself. It matured me in a way that I needed. After the training was the first day of practice. I was so excited to get back to the field. Before I got a chance to throw one ball and show what I could do, the coach said he was moving me to corner because I was athletic and they brought in too many quarterbacks. They did not even give me the chance to compete for the position. After playing that season at corner I decided to leave to go somewhere that would let me compete for a spot to play quarterback. That is the position I have always loved and wanted to be. It is also the position I play best. I have played every skill position on offense and defense but there is no position like quarterback. It is a completely different game. I love the pressure. I love being able to control the game and play a game of real life chess. There is nothing like it. After leaving Army, I was recruited heavily by a school named Wilkes University. The four years there were not easy. I went there because I believed a promise by the coach that I would be a four year starter for him. I decided to take what I learned in the army and implement them at this new school, by following leadership and working as hard as I could to make my way up. I decided I would do everything in my ability to be a starting quarterback again. The first year went by and I started doing great things on the field. The starter made mistakes and I would go in and throw 244 yards and 4 touchdowns in 1 quarter to almost come back 30 points and win the game. That was my first college gameplay freshman year. Even though I stepped on the field and did great things, the coach for some reason felt disrespected that I played better than his starter and told me I would never start for him. I already transferred once and I wanted to prove that no matter what was against me I could overcome the adversity and succeed. I respected his authority and in the next two years I worked harder than ever, even though he decided to start someone younger than me and keep me as a wildcat backup. There would even be eruptions and fights in the crowd yelling for the coach to put me in. But the only thing to beat his stubbornness was not to start problems, but to work even harder. As a backup quarterback for the next two years I started only 4 games. I led the league in total points scored by a single player. After my junior season as a backup they decided to get rid of that coach. They moved the assistant coach to head coach and he promoted me to starter for my last season. This season was my first year as a starting quarterback since high school and it was truly a blessing. We broke the school record for points scored in a season and dominated the teams that beat us the previous year. It showed that no matter what, with hard work and determination nothing can stand in my way. I will succeed in everything I put my mind to. I am a winner. I am a champion.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

If I could have any franchise restaurant in my house I would choose Buffalo Wild Wings. I could eat wings everyday and be satisfied. There is not much better than wings plus sports.

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite snack food is pretzels with hummus. Nice snack that will keep me going but healthy and not too heavy. 

What is your degree in?

My degree is in sport management. I’ve always wanted to play in the sports arena so why not learn everything to do with the business aspects of where I will be.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

The first person I would like to have dinner with is Jesus Christ. In my opinion, he lived this life better than anyone has before or after him. I would like to gain as much wisdom from him as possible. The next two people I would like to have dinner with are Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. These are the two quarterbacks that people compare my game to the most. They also happen to be my two favorite quarterbacks in the league. I’ve watched them both since college and would like to learn so much from them. I am a student of the game and would soak up as much information as I could from them. I feel that no matter how great someone thinks they are they can always do better and I never want to stop getting better. 

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is my ability to trust people. My trust has been taken advantage of in the past. I like to diffuse conflict peacefully rather than make a scene. I have put my trust in people only to be lied to but I will never stop loving and I refuse to let my heart grow cold. Trusting people again is something I would like to get better at rather than not believing a word anyone says because I am afraid. I am working to find a good balance.