Florida Football sends condolences on the passing of alum Ronald Powell

In a bit of saddening news, former Florida Gators and NFL linebacker Ronald Powell has passed away.

His former teammate Junior Galette announced the news on Monday, and the Gators confirmed the news on Tuesday. Powell and Galette were teammates together during the 2014 season with the New Orleans Saints and were a part of the outside linebackers room.

Florida sent their condolences to his family and loved ones in a statement shared to X (formerly known as Twitter) that you can see below.

We’re very saddened to learn about the passing of former Gators player Ronald Powell.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/3a55C4cHWn

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 16, 2024

“We’re very saddened to learn about the passing of former Gators player Ronald Powell,” the Gators posted on X. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”

Moreover, Powell was just 32 years old and was a few months away from his 33rd birthday. He was a fifth-round pick of the Saints, selected No. 169 overall, back during the 2014 NFL Draft. Fourteen appearances occurred during his rookie year before being placed on injured reserve before the 2015 season.

Unfortunately, he never got back on the field for New Orleans as the Chicago Bears signed him to their practice squad. Three months later, the Seattle Seahawks signed Powell and placed on the active roster. However, he did not make an appearance in the Pacific Northwest.

Powell was last in professional football with the AAF, playing for the Orlando Apollos. While the league eventually folded, Powell struggled with injuries there as well.

More on former Florida Gators LB Ronald Powell

Going back to high school recruitment, Powell was one of the most sought-after players in the country. Powell played high school football at Moreno Valley (CA) Rancho Verde, where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2010 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Being part of the final recruiting class Urban Meyer brought to Gainesville, Powell played the majority of his college career under Will Muschamp. He wound up playing in 36 games but his junior season is where the injury history began.

Powell tore his ACL during the Florida spring game and then again while rehabbing the injury. He was able to get back on the field for his senior year in 2013. Although Powell received a medical redshirt for the injuries, he declared for the draft. Florida finished with a 30-21 record while Powell was on campus.

The thoughts and prayers of the football world are with Ronald Powell, his family, friends and loved one at this time.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this article.