Ronald Powell begins the 2012 season a changed man.
After suffering an ACL tear while playing tight end during the Orange and Blue Debut on April 7, Powell’s left knee was not the only part of the junior Buck linebacker to undergo restructuring during the summer.
“Right now, at this day and time, I already look back and say this is the best thing to ever happen to me,” he said.
Powell suffered the injury after an impressive spring practice, and his expected rehab time was set at four to six months.
So far, the rehabilitation process has been an eye-opening experience for the Moreno Valley, Calif., native.
“I used to think I was fortunate before,” Powell said.
“And now, it’s just like it’s the first time in I don’t know how long I’m not going to be participating.
“That alone has made me sit back and appreciate my name going up on the board. Just appreciating being in the locker room with the boys, appreciating everything I got, appreciating me being able to put on these cleats again one day. It just made me really appreciate what I have.”
Muschamp added: “Any young man that has [football] taken away from them for a period of time — or maybe forever — they certainly have a greater appreciation of having the opportunity, what God’s blessed them with and playing a great game.”
Powell’s optimistic attitude towards his ACL injury is rare considering the general severity of the injury.
He admitted that it was the “biggest thing” the former No. 1 overall recruiting prospect has faced as an athlete.
However, even if his rehab takes a turn for the worse and he does not return this season, Powell is happy he had the experience.
“This injury has given me something better than football and that’s it — that mindset is it,” Powell said.
“I can actually take that to my family. I can take that to my son. I can sit my son down one day, and I can say, ‘Hey, man. When you’re going through hard times, you’re supposed to push through it. It’s only going to make you stronger.’”
Along with his positive outlook, Powell has relied on fellow junior Dominique Easley for support.
Easley also suffered an ACL tear in his left knee. He suffered the injury in a 21-7 loss to Florida State on Nov. 26, 2011.
“It’s really been good for me to have somebody that just went through it, to be so close to me as a friend,” Powell said. “It’s really helped me.”
Muschamp said that Powell is ahead of schedule and performed some straight-ahead running with “a little change in direction” during morning practice Aug. 3.
With his physical shape continually improving, Powell may see time on the field this season.
While his career with the Gators started on rocky terms, the new-and-improved Powell looks to become the elite pass rusher recruiting analysts predicted he would become when he eventually straps on the pads again.
When asked if he regretted that it took a significant injury to spur a change in his attitude, Powell quickly shot down the notion.
“There comes a time when you don’t wonder why,” Powell said.
“You just take it on. You learn how to deal with things. You don’t run away from it. You learn how to take it on.”
Contact Joe Morgan at joemorgan@alligator.org.
Junior linebacker Ronald Powell (7) answers questions during UF Media Day on Aug. 2. Powell is currently rehabbing an ACL tear in his left knee he suffered during Florida’s spring game on April 7.
