By Hale McGranahan.

If Clemson is the new Wide Receiver U, Martavis Bryant, DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins are the most notable founding fathers.

Cornell Powell wanted to join the brotherhood.

“All of those players are play-makers and they went through the program at Clemson and developed into NFL players. And, right now, they all are stars on their teams,” Powell said.

So, on Signing Day earlier this month, Powell announced his pledge to the fraternity, which currently includes Jaron Brown and Jacoby Ford.

“I really wanted to get on board because they’re putting wide receivers in the NFL,” he said. “It would really benefit me going there.”

Along with every other member of the 2016 class, Clemson had Powell on campus for the Elite Junior Day event just days before he committed.

“We all hung out, took pictures and stuff. We really bonded,” Powell said. “Hopefully, when we get up there, it will be better.”

His first trip to Clemson was in the fall for the N.C. State game.

“My first impression would be the coaches and how chill they are. They’re cool people,” Powell said, “From coach (Jeff) Scott to coach Dabo (Swinney) and everybody in between who I’ve been talking to and stuff.

“The next one would have to be the hill, running down the hill before the game. When I saw that when I went to the State game, that got me excited.”

Powell, a four-star prospect, according to 247, Rivals and Scout, will have a chance to add to his recruiting profile when he hits the Nike Camp in Charlotte. He also plans to hit the Rivals Camp series.

The plan is to earn invites to The Opening and U.S. Army All-American game.

Clemson will have him back on campus for three days in June, during the Dabo Swinney Football Camp.