Bilal Powell

Bilal Powell built a football career defined by consistency, toughness, and a determination to make the most of every opportunity.

Born in Lakeland, Florida, Powell attended Lake Gibson High School, where he emerged as one of the state’s top football prospects before signing with the University of Louisville.

Powell played for the Cardinals from 2007 to 2010 and developed into one of the most productive running backs in school history. During his senior season in 2010, he rushed for 1,405 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Big East honors and recognition as a Phil Steele All-American.

He helped lead Louisville to a victory in the 2010 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl and concluded his collegiate career with 2,338 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.

Selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 126th overall pick, Powell spent nine seasons in New York and became a fan favorite for his toughness, reliability, and versatility as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield.

Over the course of his NFL career, Powell appeared in 109 games and amassed 5,275 yards from scrimmage while scoring 20 total touchdowns. His most productive season came in 2017, when he rushed for 772 yards and five touchdowns.

One of the defining moments of Powell’s career came during an overtime victory over Jacksonville in 2017. What appeared to be a routine running play turned into a dramatic 75-yard game-winning touchdown when the Jaguars’ defense assumed he had been tackled and stopped pursuing the play. Replay confirmed that Powell had never been touched.

The unforgettable score not only secured the victory for the Jets but also perfectly reflected the determination, awareness, and relentless effort that defined his approach to the game throughout his career.

After the 2019 season, Powell’s playing career ended. In 2022, he officially retired as a member of the Jets by signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the organization.

Since retiring from professional football, Powell has remained active in the Louisville community through home construction, real estate development, and charitable work.

He has also transitioned into coaching at the high school level and, in 2026, was selected to participate in the prestigious Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship with the Indianapolis Colts.

Biography by Lily DeLong.
Hero photo and headshot from the New York Jets, other images licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.