UPDATED December 16, 2023
Jaylen Kelly-Powell joined first-year head coach Tyrone Wheatley's staff as a graduate assistant coach in the summer of 2023. He worked primarily with the Nickels.
In 2023, he helped guide two All-GLIAC performers in defensive backs Drake Reid (Second Team) and Dalen Peeks (Honorable Mention).
A 2017 graduate of Cass Tech High School, Kelly-Powell was a
three-time letterwinner at Michigan from 2017-19. He appeared in 20 career games, including seven as a defensive back. Kelly-Powell played in 10 games in 2017 making tackles against Maryland and Wisconsin. The following year, he appeared in seven games including two at safety after playing as a cornerback as a freshman. In 2019, Kelly-Powell played in three contests for the Wolverines.
He transferred to the University of Akron for the 2020 campaign, and started all five games in which he appeared for the Zips. Kelly-Powell recorded 18 tackles, including 11 solo stops, while adding a pair of pass break-ups. The following season, he started all 11 games he appeared in, and ranked second on the squad in tackles (73), assisted tackles (40), interceptions (1 at Bowling Green) and fumble recoveries (1), while placing third in solo tackles (33) and sacks (1).
A MAC All-Academic selection in both 2021 and 2022, Kelly-Powell played in six games as a graduate student in 2022 recording 18 tackles (8-10), including a sack plus a quarterback hurry.
During his collegiate career, he played in 42 games and made 116 tackles (56-60).
