 Powdrell prepped at powerhouse Mission Viejo High School where he graduated in 2002 playing Middle Linebacker & Fullback.He helped lead Mission Viejo to their first of four consecutive CIF-SS Championship game appearances in his senior season (2001) an 18-9 win over Chino High School.Powdrell also prepped with fellow Trojans Drew Radovich and Mark Sanchez

Powdrell played college football at the University of Southern California after transferring from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California.