Grace Hand is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Brophy Prep for AZPreps365.com

The Brophy Prep football game versus the Basha Bears on Sept. 28 saw a new face on the offensive line. Junior Logan Powell, a 4-star recruit and the No. 2-ranked offensive tackle in Arizona, played in his first game since his transfer from Saguaro at the beginning of the season.

Powell’s relationship to Brophy did not begin with his transfer. His brother, Tyler Powell, played football for the Broncos until his graduation in 2022. Tyler is now a redshirt freshman and a tight end at the University of Arizona, one of the 12 Division I programs that has offered Logan a spot on their roster. 

“My brother came (to Brophy) and I’ve heard a lot of great things,” Logan said. “I have a backstory with here. I heard it was a great place. A lot of good people, good education, and a good football program.”

Under Arizona Interscholastic Association rules for in-state transfers, Logan had to sit out for the first five games of the season. However, the family still prioritized getting him to Brophy for reasons beyond football. 

“That was not the reason (Logan) ended up here,” Brophy coach Jason Jewell said. “The football had nothing to do with it. It was just the academics and how his parents felt that Tyler was prepared for the college life and the rigors of academics there that they felt like they wanted Logan to get. Five games, they were willing to make that trade-off.”

Jewell was also the coach at Brophy when Tyler played. He was familiar with Logan before the transfer and has seen the character and relationship that the brothers have. 

“Logan’s been around our program since he was young, too,” Jewell said, “just being around here with Tyler. He was a ball boy when he was in youth football, so he’s been around. His mom was one of our team moms and his dad helped too. He’s just always been around.” 

Tyler excelled academically and athletically during his time at Brophy and had a variety of Division I offers to choose from before committing to University of Arizona. He has become a guide for his brother while navigating the college recruitment process. 

“It’s really cool because I can talk to Logan about things I went through in my recruiting process and help him through what to say when talking to these coaches and the best way to build a reputation and relationship with these coaches,” Tyler said. “I feel like it’s pretty cool that I have the opportunity to do that with him, especially since he’s a higher recruit than I was.”

The guidance is well-received by his younger brother. 

“For me personally, it’s been really great,” said Logan of his recruiting experience so far. “I mean, I can go to any of my favorite schools. Tyler, he already went through it. So he’s been telling me any mistakes he made, telling me how to avoid those mistakes, and how to be a better version of himself.”

Reflecting on their childhood playing sports, Tyler wished he and his brother were able to play organized football together. Both Logan and their younger brother Brady were on the same football team in their middle school years. However, a visit to watch an Arizona football game in September indicates that Tyler’s wish may still come true.

“I remember it was super cool coming out for warmups on the field and he was standing on the sideline,” Tyler said. “It gets me really excited that I have the opportunity to play at the college level with him because I’ve never been a football teammate of his.

“It’s always been a dream of mine for me and my brothers to be super successful and to see the strides he has made as he’s developing into a young man. As an older brother, it just makes me super proud because I’m just able to see great things coming for him and I’m really excited about his future.”

As for Logan’s future with the Broncos, he has already found his place in the program. He has the chance to make an impact in Brophy’s push for the playoffs. 

“It was pretty easy to assimilate into this football program in regard to the team,” Logan said. “Constant workouts and constant training to make sure you continue to get better and stay at the same level.”

Jewell recognized the importance of a player with both skill and good character. 

“He’s fit right in,” Jewell said. “He’s personable. His father is a professional baseball coach and was a professional athlete as well. His kids know how to act, how to work, how to prepare, and I think that’s a huge deal for these boys. They’re different personalities, but Tyler’s a really good kid, too. Was a really good role model here, a good leader, and does the same thing with Logan, too.”

Logan and Tyler Powell during warmups at the University of Arizona football game in Tucson on Sept. 16, 2023. Logan received an offer to play at Arizona on June 11, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Powell)