Last Updated on November 13, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
ShunDerrick Powell is an American professional football running back who plays for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on May 16, 2002, in Arkansas, his full name is ShunDerrick Bre’sean Powell. He previously played college football for North Alabama and Central Arkansas before pursuing opportunities in the National Football League (NFL).
Beyond football, Powell is a father and comes from a family that has strongly influenced his athletic journey. His parents are Derrick Powell and Glenda Powell, and he has three siblings, including his brother Daylon Powell. He also has a son named ShunDerrick Jr.
ShunDerrick Powell’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
ShunDerrick Powell has previously been engaged, although the name of his fiancée has not been publicly established through reliable sources.
In a July 2025 feature published by The Philly Special Show, journalist Anthony DiBona revealed that Powell and his fiancée were expecting their first child together when the running back was considering transferring from North Alabama to another college football program.
The report explained that his relationship and upcoming fatherhood influenced his decision to join the University of Central Arkansas in 2023.
Powell wanted to remain close to his parents while also finding a football program that could accommodate his growing family.
Ultimately, Central Arkansas offered him an opportunity to continue his athletic career without moving too far from his family.
Although this report confirms that Powell had a fiancée during that period, it does not identify her or establish whether the couple subsequently married.
Consequently, his current marital status remains publicly unconfirmed. There is insufficient reliable information to determine whether his former fiancée is now his wife or whether his relationship status has changed.
ShunDerrick Powell’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
Yes. ShunDerrick Powell has a son named ShunDerrick Powell Jr.
His fatherhood was discussed in a November 4, 2023, article published by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, titled “That’s what pushes me: UCA’s Powell a father, son playing for others.”
The article highlighted how becoming a father influenced Powell’s motivation and responsibilities as a college football player.
ShunDerrick Powell Jr. – His Son
ShunDerrick Jr. is the publicly identified son of the Edmonton Elks running back.
Powell and his fiancée were preparing for their first child’s arrival when he decided to transfer to Central Arkansas following the 2022 college football season.
His decision was influenced by the opportunity to remain near his parents while building a future for his son.
The birth of his child introduced new responsibilities as Powell continued pursuing his dream of becoming a professional football player.
Although his son’s name has been reported, detailed information about ShunDerrick Jr.’s exact birth date and private life is limited.
No additional children have been reliably identified in the public sources reviewed.
ShunDerrick Powell’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
ShunDerrick Powell was born to Derrick Powell and Glenda Powell, according to his official University of North Alabama and University of Central Arkansas athletics biographies.
His parents supported his passion for football from childhood, particularly during periods when he questioned whether he could achieve his dream of playing professionally.
Powell spent his early childhood in Hughes, Arkansas, before his family moved to Jonesboro and eventually Hoxie, Arkansas.
ShunDerrick Powell’s Father: Derrick Powell
ShunDerrick Powell’s father is Derrick Powell, who played an important role in encouraging his son’s football ambitions.
During an interview published by The Philly Special Show in July 2025, Powell recalled a difficult period in the tenth grade when he wanted to quit playing football.
He felt frustrated because he was not receiving enough opportunities on the field and began questioning whether he should continue.
However, Derrick refused to let his son abandon his dream without encouraging him to reconsider.
He spoke to ShunDerrick about his potential and encouraged him to keep working toward becoming a successful football player.
Powell eventually continued playing and experienced a breakthrough after transferring to Hoxie High School.
Derrick also dreamed of seeing his sons play college football together. That ambition became a reality when ShunDerrick and his brother Daylon committed to the University of North Alabama.
Although Derrick’s influence on his son’s football career has been documented, reliable public information about his occupation and other personal details remains limited.
ShunDerrick Powell’s Mother: Glenda Powell
ShunDerrick Powell’s mother is Glenda Powell.
Her name appears in his official University of North Alabama football biography, which identifies ShunDerrick as the son of Derrick and Glenda Powell.
Glenda was part of the family support system that helped Powell pursue his football ambitions while growing up in Arkansas.
In his interview with The Philly Special Show, Powell explained that one of his childhood dreams was to reach the NFL and eventually provide financial support for his parents.
He viewed professional football not only as a personal ambition but also as an opportunity to give back to the people who supported him throughout his childhood.
His parents remained important considerations during his college recruitment, particularly when he decided to transfer to Central Arkansas.
However, specific information about Glenda’s professional career, age, and other aspects of her private life has not been extensively documented in reliable public sources.
ShunDerrick Powell’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
ShunDerrick Powell has three siblings, according to his official University of North Alabama and Central Arkansas player biographies.
One of his siblings is his brother, Daylon Powell, who also played college football. A September 2022 interview with 1819 News additionally mentioned a younger brother who participated in the family’s competitive sporting activities.
Daylon Powell – ShunDerrick Powell’s Brother
Daylon Powell is ShunDerrick Powell’s younger brother and a former high school and college football player.
According to a September 14, 2022, report by 1819 News, ShunDerrick is approximately one year older than Daylon, although the brothers attended the same grade in school.
Both played football at Hoxie High School in Arkansas, where Daylon was the team’s quarterback and ShunDerrick played running back.
The brothers developed an effective offensive partnership and helped their high school team achieve a combined 22-4 record over their final two seasons.
Daylon later committed to the University of North Alabama as a quarterback, with ShunDerrick also joining the university’s football program.
Daylon subsequently transferred to Pittsburg State University.
The brothers’ athletic relationship was shaped by competition from an early age. ShunDerrick explained in his 1819 News interview that they competed intensely in almost every activity.
Their competitive relationship helped both athletes improve and develop confidence in their abilities.
ShunDerrick Powell’s Other Brother
In addition to Daylon, Powell has another younger brother, who was mentioned in the September 2022 interview published by 1819 News.
The report described how ShunDerrick, Daylon, and their younger brother regularly competed against one another while growing up.
However, the younger brother’s name, exact age, and educational background were not disclosed.
Does ShunDerrick Powell Have a Sister?
Although Powell’s official university biographies confirm that he has three siblings, they do not provide a complete list of their names.
Two brothers are publicly documented, including Daylon Powell. However, there is insufficient verified information to identify the third sibling or establish whether that sibling is a brother or sister.
Therefore, it remains unclear whether ShunDerrick has a sister.
How ShunDerrick Powell’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Family has played an important role in Powell’s development as an athlete and his decisions throughout college football.
During childhood, he dreamed of reaching the NFL so that he could provide a better life for his parents.
When he considered quitting football in high school, his father’s encouragement helped him remain committed to the sport.
After his family relocated to Hoxie, Arkansas, Powell developed a strong relationship with football coach Tom Sears, who gave him opportunities to demonstrate his ability.
His high school success led to a college football opportunity at North Alabama, where he set a school single-season rushing record with 1,508 yards in 2022.
He later transferred to Central Arkansas, a decision shaped partly by his desire to remain near his parents and support his growing family.
At Central Arkansas, he continued his development into one of the most productive running backs in the Football Championship Subdivision.
After completing his college career, Powell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
He later joined the Kansas City Chiefs on a reserve/future contract in January 2026 before signing with the Edmonton Elks in May 2026.
His professional breakthrough continued during the 2026 CFL season, when he helped Edmonton reach the 113th Grey Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions About ShunDerrick Powell’s Family
Who is ShunDerrick Powell’s girlfriend?
ShunDerrick Powell was previously reported to have a fiancée, but her name has not been publicly confirmed. His current relationship status remains unclear.
Is ShunDerrick Powell married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Powell is married. A 2025 interview feature identified him as having been engaged during his college football career.
Does ShunDerrick Powell have children?
Yes. ShunDerrick Powell has a son named ShunDerrick Jr., whose birth was discussed in reporting about Powell’s college football career.
Who is ShunDerrick Powell’s father?
His father is Derrick Powell, who encouraged him to continue playing football when he considered quitting during high school.
Who is ShunDerrick Powell’s mother?
His mother is Glenda Powell, according to his official North Alabama and Central Arkansas football biographies.
How many siblings does ShunDerrick Powell have?
ShunDerrick Powell has three siblings, according to his official college player biographies.
Who is ShunDerrick Powell’s brother?
His publicly identified brother is Daylon Powell, a former high school quarterback who also attended North Alabama. Another younger brother has been mentioned in sports reporting but has not been publicly named.
Is Daylon Powell older or younger than ShunDerrick Powell?
Daylon Powell is approximately one year younger than ShunDerrick, according to a September 2022 interview published by 1819 News.
Where did ShunDerrick Powell grow up?
He spent his early childhood in Hughes, Arkansas, before his family moved to Jonesboro and later Hoxie, where he attended high school.
Which CFL team does ShunDerrick Powell play for?
ShunDerrick Powell plays running back for the Edmonton Elks. He joined the organization in May 2026 after previously spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
