Gabe Powers has dreamed of scoring a touchdown in Ohio Stadium since he was a little kid. That dream came true in the first game of his redshirt sophomore season as a Buckeye.
On just his second defensive snap of the season – and the 23rd of his entire Ohio State career – Powers made his first career interception by snagging a pass deflected by Eddrick Houston and returning it 29 yards to the end zone for the final touchdown in Ohio State’s 52-6 season-opening win over Akron last weekend.
What a play by Gabe Powers for the @OhioStateFB touchdown. pic.twitter.com/3JsVeITD0R
— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) August 31, 2024
As a native of nearby Marysville, Ohio, who grew up rooting for the Buckeyes, scoring in the Shoe was a childhood vision brought to life.
“Since I was a little kid, I've always been an Ohio State fan, so that's always been a goal of mine,” Powers said Wednesday.
Powers’ Ohio State career to this point hasn’t necessarily gone exactly how he envisioned it would growing up. Having played only sparingly in his first two years as a Buckeye, Powers remains on the third row of Ohio State’s linebacker depth chart behind Cody Simon, Sonny Styles, C.J. Hicks and Arvell Reese.
Even so, Powers said this preseason that he’s never thought about transferring from Ohio State.
“I don't want to be anywhere else. I want to be here,” Powers said in August.
Scoring a touchdown in the season opener served as validation in Powers’ mind that he’s made the right decision by staying the course in Columbus. And he hopes that will lead to more opportunities to play on defense going forward.
“It definitely gives you confidence. I think it kind of gives maybe confidence to the coaching staff that I can do this,” Powers said. “So I just keep working through things.”
While Powers didn’t enter the game on defense until a victory was well in hand for the Buckeyes, he was a staple on special teams throughout Ohio State’s season opener, tying Lorenzo Styles Jr. for the most special teams snaps (19) of any Buckeye in Week 1. A member of all of the four core special teams units – kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return – Powers said he’s embracing his opportunity to play a major role in that phase of the game.
“I know I'm going to get more opportunities on defense, so make them count when I'm in there. And I know the coaches trust me on special teams a lot, so embrace that role and be the best player at whatever I do,” Powers said of his approach to his role.
As of now, there isn’t a clear path for Powers to play a bigger role on defense. Simon is still considered to be “day-to-day” after missing the season opener with an undisclosed injury, but Styles is expected to remain the starting Mike linebacker this week if Simon remains out. Once Simon returns, Styles will slot in as the starting Will linebacker. Reese made a strong case for a continued role in the rotation with his performance off the bench against Akron, while Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has said several times he expects Hicks – who started at Will against Akron – to have a role in the defense all year.
However, Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has said that playing time decisions will be made on a week-to-week basis and that players who earn the opportunity to play will get time in the rotation. Powers’ big play when he got his opportunity against Akron can only bolster his chances of earning more opportunities going forward.
“I trust him fully with the job, so we'll put the best players out there,” Powers said of Laurinaitis.
“It definitely gives you confidence. I think it kind of gives maybe confidence to the coaching staff that I can do this.”– Gabe Powers on his interception return touchdown vs. Akron
Ryan Day has also said the Buckeyes need to use their depth this season as they hope to make a run to the national championship game, which would mean playing at least 16 games. And Ohio State’s head coach believes the touchdown is something Powers can build on as the season progresses.
“I think for guys to actually do it in a game, it can build confidence and just say, ‘OK, I can do it in a game now, because I've actually done it.’ And hopefully that can build on his confidence to know that he needs to be a contributor for us, and we need to play as many guys as we possibly can,” Day said. “So plays like that make a difference, and we're gonna need all these guys to play. And Gabe's a part of special teams as well, so hopefully that can springboard and move it forward.”
