Post-OSU Update: Tyvis Powell entered the 2016 NFL Draft with one year of eligibility remaining. Powell was not selected, but caught on with Seattle and played eight games (making three tackles) with them in 2016. Powell also played parts of seasons in 2017 and 2018 with the 49ers, appearing in ten games and making 11 tackles (one forced fumble). (updated: Dec. 2023)

Pronunciation: TIE-vus

Major: Marketing (2015), Sport Industry (2014)

Weight: 210 (2015), 205 (2014), 201 (2013), 196 (2012)

2015 Media Guide: Tyvis Powell is savvy, talented and veteran football player who has personality-plus … a fourth-year junior, he probably has more fun being a Buckeye than anyone on the team and he certainly takes care of his business off the field as well as anyone … he graduated in May 2015 – in just three-and-a-half years – with a degree in marketing … he has played in all 29 games the past two seasons – after red-shirting the 2012 season – and he has started 20 times, including the last 16 games … has played 2,103 snaps his first two seasons and has recorded 124 tackles, five interceptions and six pass break-ups … is best-of-friends with Cardale Jones.

2014: Powell started all 15 games at one safety position for the College Football Playoff national champions … was named defensive MVP of the national championship game against No. 2 Oregon with a game-high nine tackles and a pass break-up … intercepted a pass in the end zone to clinch Ohio State’s 42-35 victory over No. 1-ranked Alabama in the CFP semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
… ranked fourth on the team in total tackles with 76 and was third with four interceptions … ranked 10th in the Big Ten in interceptions … led all Buckeyes with career-high 13 tackles vs. Navy … had a huge interception late in the fourth quarter to keep Indiana from potentially tying the score … also had interceptions against Kent and Penn State.

2014 Media Guide: Tyvis Powell is a third-year sophomore who gained considerable experience as a freshman last year and who is now one of the most experienced players in the Ohio State secondary, albeit a young one … he has 14 games worth of experience to his credit, plus nearly 1,000 snaps and a couple huge plays … the team’s nickel back in 2013, Powell practiced all spring as a No. 1 safety with the loss of two three-year starters: C.J. Barnett and Christian Bryant.

2013: Powell put together a fine season for the Buckeyes in 2013 after red-shirting the 2012 campaign as a true freshman … he was primarily on the field on defense in nickel situations and he also was a key member of a number of special teams all season long … as a result, he played more snaps – 953 – than all but four players on the team … he played in all 14 games and he started five times, including at safety in the Discover Orange Bowl … he recorded 48 tackles on the season plus an interception, two pass break-ups, quarterback hurry and fumble recovery … his interception came in the win over Iowa … his biggest play of the year came in the closing seconds of the game against Michigan, stepping in front of a Devin Gardner two-point conversion attempt to make an interception and preserve the 42-41 win … he had a career-high seven tackles in the win over Penn State.

2013 Media Guide: Tyvis Powell enrolled in classes at Ohio State in January 2012 … he ended up red-shirting the 2012 season … he is coming off a fine 2013 spring campaign … he practiced extensively with the first-team defense in the nickel and dime defensive packages this spring and he is seeking to turn that experience into playing time at cornerback or in the nickel this fall … he is the tallest cornerback on the Ohio State roster.

2012 Media Guide: Tyvis Powell is one the tallest defensive backs on the Ohio State roster and he is one of the few defensive backs nationally in the 2012 recruiting class who are at least 6-foot-3.

High School: Was coached at Bedford, located near Cleveland in northeast Ohio, by Sean Williams … ranked No. 33 among all cornerbacks nationally by Rivals.com and the No. 37 safety by Scout.com … a top 100 defensive back by ESPNU … No. 20 senior in Ohio by 247Sports.com … totaled six interceptions as a junior and senior, to go along with over 115 tackles … had four interceptions as a junior … a three sport athlete, Tyvis also played basketball and baseball … ran track instead of playing baseball as a junior, though, to improve his speed … also picked up strength and speed in the past year through early morning workouts with a 250-pound tractor tire … never missed a day of classes while in high school, and he has a sweet trophy from his school as proof.

Personal: Tyvis is the son of Robin Powell-Richardson … he enrolled at Ohio State in January 2012 and not only went through spring drills, but became an OSU Scholar-Athlete in the classroom as well.